die  Abkehr

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈapˌkɛːɐ̯/

🧐 What exactly does "die Abkehr" mean?

Die Abkehr (feminine noun) describes a conscious act or process of turning away from a person, a group, an idea, a belief, a faith, or a previous way of life. It often implies a distancing or even a break with the past.

It can take various forms:

• Emotional Abkehr: Distancing oneself internally from someone or something.
• Ideological/Religious Abkehr: Giving up convictions or beliefs (sometimes referred to as *Apostasie* - apostasy).
• Physical Abkehr: Moving away physically (although this is not the core meaning, it can be part of an *Abkehr*).

⚠️ It's important to understand that die Abkehr usually represents an active process, a conscious decision to turn away.

📐 Grammar in Detail: The Declension of Abkehr

*Abkehr* is a feminine noun. It is mainly used in the singular, as it often describes an abstract concept. The plural (*die Abkehren*) is very rare and uncommon.

Singular Declension

💡 Examples for Clarification

1. Seine Abkehr von den alten Freunden war schmerzhaft.
   (His turning away from his old friends was painful.)
2. Die Gründe der Abkehr blieben lange unklar.
   (The reasons for the renunciation remained unclear for a long time.)
3. Nach der Abkehr von seiner Partei fühlte er sich befreit.
   (After turning away from his party, he felt liberated.)
4. Wir bedauern die Abkehr von unseren Prinzipien.
   (We regret the departure from our principles.)

💬 How to use "die Abkehr"?

*Die Abkehr* is often used in contexts describing a change in relationships, beliefs, or values.

• In personal life: *Die Abkehr* from a partner, friend, or family member.
• In politics/society: *Die Abkehr* from a political party, an ideology, or social norms.
• In religion/spirituality: *Die Abkehr* from a faith, a church, or spiritual practices.
• In philosophy: *Die Abkehr* from a specific school of thought.

Comparison with similar words:

• Abschied (der): Emphasizes leaving or departure, often with a sense of regret or ceremony. (Farewell, parting)
• Trennung (die): Mostly refers to the end of a romantic relationship or physical separation. (Separation)
• Bruch (der): Emphasizes the abrupt end of a connection or tradition, often negatively. (Break, rupture)

*Die Abkehr* highlights the internal distancing and the conscious turning away more strongly.

🧠 Mnemonics for "Abkehr"

Mnemonic for the Article (die):

Think of "the detour" – when you turn away, you might take a detour. The article for *Abkehr* is die. Maybe imagine a woman (*die Frau*) deciding to take a detour from her old path - that's *die Abkehr*.

Mnemonic for the Meaning:

"Ab" means "away/off", and "kehr" sounds like "care". When you have an *Abkehr*, you turn away and perhaps stop caring about the old way or person. Or think of "kehr" as turning (like *umkehren* - to turn around). You turn *ab* (away). That's die Abkehr.

↔️ Opposites and Similarities: Synonyms & Antonyms

🚨 Note: Words like *Abschied* (farewell) or *Trennung* (separation) are related but not exact synonyms, as they emphasize different aspects (see usage notes).

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat sich der Mathematiker von der Zahl Pi abgewendet?
Er sagte: "Unsere Beziehung ist einfach zu irrational geworden!" – Das war seine persönliche Abkehr von der Unendlichkeit.

English Translation:

Why did the mathematician turn away from the number Pi?
He said: "Our relationship has just become too irrational!" – That was his personal renunciation of infinity.

📜 A Poem about Abkehr

Wo einst Vertrauen war und Licht,
Nun Schatten fällt auf dein Gesicht.
Ein leises Wort, ein kalter Blick,
Von alten Wegen kein Zurück.

Die Brücken brennen, sacht und still,
Ein Herz, das nicht mehr folgen will.
Die Abkehr schleicht, ein stiller Gast,
Der alte Pfade längst verblasst.

English Translation:

Where once was trust and light,
Now shadow falls upon your sight.
A quiet word, a colder gaze,
From old paths, no return through the maze.

The bridges burn, softly and low,
A heart that no longer wants to go.
The turning away creeps, a silent guest,
The old trails faded, put to the test.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin kein Abschied und kein Bruch,
Doch wendest du dich ab – genug.
Von Glauben, Freundschaft oder Ziel,
Ich bin ein Wandel, oft subtil.

Wer bin ich? → Die Abkehr

English Translation:

I'm not a farewell and not a break,
But if you turn away – for goodness sake.
From faith, from friendship, or a goal,
I am a change, often taking its toll (or: subtle in its whole).

Who am I? → Die Abkehr (The turning away / renunciation)

🧩 Other Interesting Aspects

Word Composition:

The word *Abkehr* is composed of:

• ab- (prefix meaning *away, off, from*)
• Kehr (derived from the verb *kehren*, meaning *to turn*)

So, it literally means "turning away".

Abstract Nature:

*Die Abkehr* is a relatively abstract noun. It describes an internal process or a change in attitude rather than a concrete action, although it can manifest in actions.