die  Angst

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaŋst/

😟 What is "die Angst"?

Die Angst (noun, feminine) describes a strong feeling of apprehension, worry, or fear in the face of a real or perceived threat or uncertainty. It's a fundamental human emotion.

• Main meaning: A state of intense fear or worry. Example: Die Angst vor der Prüfung lähmte ihn. (The fear of the exam paralyzed him.)
• Broader sense: Also a general anxiety or concern. Example: Er lebt in ständiger Angst um seinen Arbeitsplatz. (He lives in constant anxiety about his job.)

⚠️ There's only one article for "Angst": die. It is always feminine.

📚 Grammar of "die Angst"

"Angst" is a feminine noun. It's mostly used in the singular. The plural ("die Ängste") exists but is used less frequently, often referring to specific phobias or recurring states of anxiety.

Example Sentences

• Nominative: Die Angst war unbegründet. (The fear was unfounded.)
• Genitive: Trotz der Angst ging sie weiter. (Despite the fear, she went on.) (Often also with "von": Trotz von Angst)
• Dative: Sie stellte sich ihrer Angst. (She faced her fear.)
• Accusative: Er überwand die Angst. (He overcame the fear.)
• Plural: Sie sprach über ihre Ängste mit einem Therapeuten. (She talked about her anxieties with a therapist.)

🗣️ How to Use "Angst"?

"Angst" is a very common word in German. Here are typical use cases:

• Angst haben vor (+ Dative): This is the most common construction to express what one is afraid of. Example: Viele Kinder haben Angst vor der Dunkelheit. (Many children are afraid of the dark.)
• Angst um (+ Accusative): Expresses worry about someone or something. Example: Die Mutter hat Angst um ihr krankes Kind. (The mother is worried about her sick child.)
• jemandem Angst machen: To scare or worry someone. Example: Der laute Knall machte mir Angst. (The loud bang scared me / made me afraid.)
• aus Angst: Describes the motivation for an action. Example: Er log aus Angst vor Strafe. (He lied out of fear of punishment.)
• in Angst leben/versetzen: To describe a state of permanent fear. Example: Der Diktator versetzte das Volk in Angst und Schrecken. (The dictator kept the people in fear / terrorized the people.)

Difference to Furcht: Often used synonymously, but "Furcht" usually refers to a concrete, defined danger, whereas "Angst" can also be more vague, diffuse, or existential.

💡 Mnemonics for "die Angst"

For the article: Think of 'die' sounding like the English 'dee' in 'deep'. Fear ('Angst') can be a deep emotion. Or imagine a damsel in distress (a 'she' - 'die') feeling Angst. So it's die Angst.

For the meaning: The German word "Angst" has been directly adopted into English ('angst'), highlighting the similarity in sound and meaning (inner turmoil, dread, fear). If you know English 'angst', you basically know the German meaning!

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "Angst"

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Ärger (der): anger, annoyance - don't confuse with Angst!
• Enge (die): narrowness, tightness (physical or emotional), can be associated with Angst, but not the same.

😂 A Little Joke

Teacher asks: "Fritzchen, hast du Angst vor der Prüfung?"
Fritzchen: "Nein, aber die Prüfung hat Angst vor meinen Antworten!" 😉

Translation:
Teacher asks: "Fritzchen, are you afraid of the test?"
Fritzchen: "No, but the test is afraid of my answers!" 😉

📜 Poem about Angst

Die Angst, ein Schatten, dunkel, kalt,
schleicht sich ins Herz, macht alt.
Sie flüstert Zweifel, leise, bang,
macht kurzen Mut ganz lang.

Doch tief im Innern, stark und licht,
bricht Tapferkeit das Schattengericht.
Die Angst mag kommen, mag auch sein,
doch lässt der Mut sie nicht allein.

Translation:
Fear, a shadow, dark and cold,
creeps into the heart, makes one old.
It whispers doubts, softly, anxiously,
stretches brief courage long.

But deep inside, strong and bright,
bravery breaks the shadow's might.
Fear may come, it may well be,
but courage won't let it roam free.

❓ Riddle

Ich habe keinen Körper, doch kann ich dich lähmen.
Ich habe keine Stimme, doch kann ich dich schreien machen.
Manchmal bin ich klein, manchmal riesengroß.
Manchmal habe ich einen Grund, manchmal grundlos.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: die Angst

Translation:
I have no body, yet I can paralyze you.
I have no voice, yet I can make you scream.
Sometimes I am small, sometimes huge.
Sometimes I have a reason, sometimes I'm reasonless.

What am I?

Solution: Fear (die Angst)

🧩 Other Information & Trivia

• Etymology: The word "Angst" comes from the Old High German word "angust", meaning "narrowness" or "distress". This reflects the physical sensation of tightness often associated with fear.
• Word Formations: There are many related words in German, e.g., ängstlich (adjective: anxious, fearful), beängstigend (adjective/participle: frightening, alarming), verängstigen (verb: to frighten), Angsthase (coll.: scaredy-cat, literally 'fear-rabbit'), Angstschweiß (noun: cold sweat caused by fear).
• International: As mentioned, the German word "Angst" is one of the few German words adopted directly into English ('angst'), often used to describe existential dread or general anxiety about the world.