die  Abneigung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈapˌnaɪɡʊŋ/

🤔 What does "die Abneigung" mean?

Die Abneigung describes a feeling of dislike, aversion, reluctance, or antipathy towards a person, thing, situation, or activity. It's a form of emotional distancing or rejection. You can have or feel an Abneigung gegen (against) something or someone.

• Towards people: Er empfand eine starke Abneigung gegen seinen neuen Kollegen. (He felt a strong dislike for his new colleague.)
• Towards things/activities: Viele Kinder haben eine Abneigung gegen Gemüse. (Many children have an aversion to vegetables.)
• Towards situations: Ihre Abneigung gegen öffentliche Auftritte war bekannt. (Her aversion to public appearances was well-known.)

It's a strong word, expressing more than simple dislike, but usually less intense than Hass (hatred).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Abneigung

"Abneigung" is a feminine noun. The article is die. It is mostly used in the singular because it describes a feeling. The plural "die Abneigungen" is possible but less common, referring to specific, individual instances of aversion.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Abneigung gegen Spinnen ist weit verbreitet. (The aversion to spiders is widespread.)
2. Trotz seiner Abneigung musste er die Aufgabe erledigen. (Despite his reluctance, he had to do the task.)
3. Er begegnete ihr mit offener Abneigung. (He met her with open dislike.)
4. Ich kann meine Abneigung nicht verbergen. (I cannot hide my aversion.)
5. Seine vielen kleinen Abneigungen machten ihn unbeliebt. (His many small aversions made him unpopular.)

💡 How to use "Abneigung"?

"Abneigung" is used to express a deep-seated feeling of rejection or dislike. It's stronger than simply nicht mögen (to not like), but usually weaker than Hass (hatred).

• Typical Collocations: One hat (has), empfindet (feels/perceives), fühlt (feels), hegt (harbours/nurtures) an Abneigung gegen (against) something or someone. You can also zeigen (show), verbergen (hide), or überwinden (overcome) your Abneigung.
• Context: The word is used in everyday language as well as in more formal contexts (e.g., psychology, literature).
• Nuances: Compared to Widerwille (repugnance, often more spontaneous and physical) or Antipathie (antipathy, often towards people and less rational), Abneigung can describe a longer-lasting, more established attitude. Unlust (reluctance/lack of desire) refers more to a lack of motivation for an activity.
• Preposition: Almost always used with the preposition "gegen": Abneigung gegen Lärm (aversion to noise), Abneigung gegen Unehrlichkeit (dislike of dishonesty).

⚠️ Avoid using "Abneigung" for slight preferences. If you simply don't like broccoli, "Ich mag keinen Brokkoli" (I don't like broccoli) is more appropriate than "Ich habe eine Abneigung gegen Brokkoli," unless the dislike is very strong.

🧠 Mnemonics for "Abneigung"

Remembering the Article

Most German nouns ending in -ung are feminine (die). Think of: die Übung (practice), die Meinung (opinion), die Lösung (solution)... and also die Abneigung. They share the feminine -ung ending! 💃

Remembering the Meaning

Imagine someone offers you something you really dislike. You lean away from it. In German, 'away' can be 'ab' and 'inclination/leaning' is 'Neigung'. So, 'leaning away' is 'Ab-neigung' = aversion/dislike. 🙅‍♀️

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

🚨 Potential Confusion

• Neigung: The root word of Abneigung! Means inclination, tendency, or fondness – almost the opposite! Compare: Er hat eine Neigung zur Musik (He has an inclination for music) vs. Er hat eine Abneigung gegen laute Musik (He has an aversion to loud music).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Lehrer: "Fritzchen, hast du eine Abneigung gegen die Schule?"
Fritzchen: "Nein, Herr Lehrer, nur gegen das Lernen, die Hausaufgaben, das frühe Aufstehen und die Pausen, die immer zu kurz sind!"

Translation:
The teacher asks: "Little Fritz, do you have an aversion to school?"
Little Fritz: "No, teacher, only to learning, homework, getting up early, and the breaks that are always too short!"

📜 Poem about Abneigung

Ein Gefühl, das leise schleicht,
Die Abneigung, die von Herzen weicht.
Gegen Lärm, Gestank und Streit,
Ein Schutzwall in der Lebenszeit.
Mal ist sie klein, mal riesengroß,
Man trägt sie mit sich, wird sie nicht los.
Doch manchmal kann man sie bezwingen,
Und neue, frohe Lieder singen.

Translation:
A feeling that creeps softly near,
The aversion, that makes the heart steer clear.
Against noise, bad smells, and strife,
A protective wall in life.
Sometimes it's small, sometimes immense,
You carry it with you, make no defense.
But sometimes you can overcome its hold,
And sing new songs, joyful and bold.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Gefühl, oft still und tief,
Bin das Gegenteil von dem, was man rief,
Wenn Freude und Zuneigung herrschen im Raum.
Ich wachse oft langsam, wie ein böser Traum.
Man hat mich 'gegen' etwas, das man nicht mag.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I am a feeling, often quiet and deep,
I'm the opposite of what you'd keep,
When joy and affection fill the space.
I often grow slowly, leaving a trace,
Like a bad dream's theme.
You have me 'against' something you misdeem.

What am I?

Solution: die Abneigung (aversion/dislike)

🧩 Further Information

Word Origin / Etymology

The word "Abneigung" is composed of:

• ab-: A prefix expressing separation, removal, or negation (like in ablehnen - to reject, abwenden - to turn away).
• Neigung: Meaning inclination, tendency, fondness (from neigen - to lean, to tend).

Literally, "Abneigung" means an "away-inclination" or an "inclination away from" something. It describes the active or passive movement of feeling away from an object or person.