der  Widerstand

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈviːdɐʃtant/

🧐 What exactly does "der Widerstand" mean?

Der Widerstand is a masculine noun with several meanings:

• Political/Social: Resistance or opposition against a power, a government, an occupation, or a certain development. Example: Der französische Widerstand im Zweiten Weltkrieg (The French Resistance in World War II).
• Physical/Technical: Electrical resistance (measured in Ohms), which hinders the flow of electric current in a conductor. Also, mechanical resistance against movement. Example: Der Widerstand in diesem Kabel ist zu hoch (The resistance in this cable is too high).
• General: The refusal to do or accept something; opposing something; an inner reluctance or difficulty. Example: Sie stieß bei ihren Kollegen auf Widerstand (She encountered resistance from her colleagues). Er spürte einen inneren Widerstand gegen die Idee (He felt an inner resistance to the idea).

⚠️ Although there are multiple meanings, Widerstand always uses the article der.

📐 Grammar of "der Widerstand" in Detail

"Widerstand" is a masculine noun. It declines as follows:

Note: The plural "die Widerstände" is mainly used for the physical meaning (electrical resistors as components), less often for the other meanings, where the singular or paraphrases are often preferred.

Example Sentences

1. Der Widerstand der Bevölkerung wuchs stetig. (The population's resistance grew steadily.)
2. Die Messung des elektrischen Widerstandes ist wichtig. (Measuring the electrical resistance is important.)
3. Er begegnete dem Plan mit großem Widerstand. (He met the plan with great resistance.)
4. Der Techniker tauschte die defekten Widerstände aus. (The technician replaced the defective resistors.)

💡 How to Use "Widerstand"?

• Political/Social Context: Often used with verbs like leisten (to offer resistance), brechen (to break the resistance), organisieren (to organize the resistance). Used for historical movements (e.g., Widerstand gegen den Nationalsozialismus - resistance against National Socialism) and current forms of protest.
• Technical/Physical Context: Specific to electrical resistance (symbol R, unit Ohm Ω) or mechanical resistance (e.g., Luftwiderstand - air resistance, Reibungswiderstand - frictional resistance). The plural "Widerstände" often refers to concrete components here.
• General/Psychological Context: Describes internal or external hurdles, reluctance, difficulties. E.g., "auf Widerstand stoßen" (to meet with resistance), "innerer Widerstand" (inner resistance).

Distinction from similar words:

• Protest: Usually a public expression of opinion, not necessarily active resistance.
• Gegenwehr: Similar to Widerstand, often more physical or direct defense.
• Opposition: More of a political stance or group opposing the government.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Widerstand"

For the article: Think of needing a strong Stand (which sounds like the end of Widerstand) to offer resistance. In German grammar lore, strength is often associated with masculine (der). So, der starke Stand = der Widerstand.

For the meaning: Imagine someone 'standing' (Stand) 'against' (wider) a strong force (wind, a rule, an enemy). This 'standing against' is Widerstand (resistance).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Be careful with similar words:

• Widerruf: Revocation, retraction.
• Widerspruch: Contradiction; objection.

😄 A Little Joke

Lehrer: "Was ist elektrischer Widerstand?"
Schüler: "Wenn sich die Elektronen einfach nicht einigen können, in welche Richtung sie fließen sollen!"

Translation:
Teacher: "What is electrical resistance?"
Student: "When the electrons just can't agree on which direction to flow!"

📜 A Short Poem

Gegen den Strom, gegen den Wind,
Der Widerstand beginnt.
Mal laut, mal leis', im Herzen fest,
Wenn Unrecht prüft den Menschentest.
Auch Drähte spüren seine Macht,
Wenn Stromfluss wird gebremst, mit Bedacht.

Translation:
Against the current, against the wind,
The resistance begins.
Sometimes loud, sometimes quiet, firm in the heart,
When injustice tests the human part.
Even wires feel its might,
When current flow is slowed, with foresight.

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich kann politisch sein, laut oder still,
Ich bremse den Strom, wenn ich es will.
Man leistet mich gegen Zwang und Pein,
Was mag ich wohl sein?

Translation:
I can be political, loud or still,
I slow the current, if I will.
People offer me against force and pain,
What might I be then?

Lösung/Solution: der Widerstand

💡 More to Know

Word Composition: The word is composed of the preposition/prefix wider (against) and the noun Stand (standing, state). It literally describes 'standing against' something.

Historical Significance: The term "Widerstand" has strong historical connotations, particularly due to the resistance against National Socialism in the Third Reich (e.g., die Weiße Rose, the Stauffenberg plot). Germany's Basic Law (Grundgesetz) even includes a right to resistance in Article 20, Paragraph 4.