die
Ähnlichkeit
🧐 What does "die Ähnlichkeit" mean?
Die Ähnlichkeit (noun, feminine) describes the state or degree to which people, things, or concepts resemble each other or share common characteristics. It's about the presence of similarities or comparable features.
The word is derived from the adjective ähnlich (similar, alike). Because it ends in -keit, it is typically feminine.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-keit → always feminine.
📚 Grammar of Ähnlichkeit in Detail
The noun "Ähnlichkeit" is feminine (*die*). Here are the declension tables:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Ähnlichkeit |
| Genitive | der | Ähnlichkeit |
| Dative | der | Ähnlichkeit |
| Accusative | die | Ähnlichkeit |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Ähnlichkeiten |
| Genitive | der | Ähnlichkeiten |
| Dative | den | Ähnlichkeiten |
| Accusative | die | Ähnlichkeiten |
💡 Example Sentences
- Die Ähnlichkeit zwischen den beiden Geschwistern ist verblüffend.
The resemblance between the two siblings is astonishing. - Man erkennt eine gewisse Ähnlichkeit in ihren Argumentationsstilen.
One recognizes a certain similarity in their argumentation styles. - Wir haben viele Ähnlichkeiten zwischen den Kulturen entdeckt.
We discovered many similarities between the cultures. - Trotz aller Ähnlichkeiten gibt es auch deutliche Unterschiede.
Despite all the similarities, there are also clear differences.
🗣️ How to use "Ähnlichkeit"?
"Ähnlichkeit" is used to describe commonalities or resemblances.
- Typical Collocations: It's often used with verbs like "eine Ähnlichkeit haben mit" (to bear a resemblance to) or "Ähnlichkeit aufweisen" (to exhibit similarity). Example: "Sein neues Auto hat eine große Ähnlichkeit mit dem alten Modell." (His new car bears a strong resemblance to the old model.)
- Context: It can refer to physical appearance, character traits, opinions, situations, or abstract concepts.
- Contrast with "Gleichheit": While "Ähnlichkeit" indicates shared features despite underlying differences, "Gleichheit" (*equality, sameness*) means something is identical or completely congruent in a specific aspect. Ähnlichkeit always implies a degree of difference.
🧠 Mnemonics for Ähnlichkeit
Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in -keit are almost always feminine (*die*). Think of *die Heiterkeit* (cheerfulness), *die Fähigkeit* (ability), *die Möglichkeit* (possibility) – and *die Ähnlichkeit*. Remember the reliability of -keit!
Meaning Mnemonic: The word contains "ähnlich" (similar). Imagine spotting two similar things and exclaiming in English, "Ah! Look!" – the sound "Ah-nlich" might remind you of the meaning similarity.
↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Words with similar meaning):
- Übereinstimmung: agreement, correspondence (emphasis on shared points).
- Verwandtschaft: relationship, affinity (often used figuratively for conceptual or structural closeness).
- Analogie: analogy (comparability of relationships or structures).
- Entsprechung: equivalent, correspondence (a matching counterpart or comparable element).
- Parallele: parallel (comparable development or characteristic).
Antonyms (Opposites):
- Unähnlichkeit: dissimilarity (direct opposite).
- Verschiedenheit: difference, variety (emphasis on the differences).
- Unterschied: difference (the specific feature that distinguishes two things).
- Kontrast: contrast (a strong, noticeable difference).
- Divergenz: divergence (developing apart, difference).
😂 A Little Joke
Warum sehen sich Mathematiker und Physiker so ähnlich?
Weil sie beide ständig nach der x-Achse suchen!
(Why do mathematicians and physicists look so similar? Because they are both constantly looking for the x-axis! - A similarity in their work...)
✍️ Poem about Similarity
Zwei Tropfen im Regen, kaum zu unterscheiden,
zwei Seelen, die auf gleichen Wegen leiden.
Die Ähnlichkeit, ein leises Band,
verbindet Herzen, Hand in Hand.
Im Spiegelbild, im fremden Blick,
find' ich von mir ein kleines Stück.
(Two drops in the rain, hard to tell apart,
Two souls who suffer on the same path.
The similarity, a quiet bond,
Connects hearts, hand in hand.
In the reflection, in a stranger's gaze,
I find a little piece of myself.)
🧩 Riddle
Ich bin kein Zwilling, doch zeige gern,
was zwei gemeinsam haben, nah und fern.
Ich bin das Band, das Gleiches eint,
auch wenn es nicht dasselbe scheint.
Was bin ich?
Lösung: die Ähnlichkeit
(I'm not a twin, but gladly show,
What two may share, both high and low.
I am the bond that links the like,
Even if not the same, they strike.
What am I?
Answer: similarity / die Ähnlichkeit)
⚙️ Word Formation & Trivia
Word Formation: The noun "Ähnlichkeit" is formed through suffixation:
- Adjective: ähnlich (similar)
- Suffix: -keit (used to form feminine nouns from adjectives, often describing a quality or state)
- Result: die Ähnlichkeit (the similarity)
Trivia: The concept of Ähnlichkeit is fundamental across many fields, from biology (genetische Ähnlichkeit - genetic similarity) and art (stilistische Ähnlichkeit - stylistic similarity) to mathematics (geometrische Ähnlichkeit - geometric similarity).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Ähnlichkeit?
The correct article for Ähnlichkeit is die. It is a feminine noun. The plural is die Ähnlichkeiten.