die  Ausländerfeindlichkeit

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʊsˌlɛndɐˌfaɪntlɪçkaɪ̯t/

🌍 What does "die Ausländerfeindlichkeit" mean?

Die Ausländerfeindlichkeit describes an attitude ranging from rejection to hostility towards people perceived as "Ausländer" (foreigners) or "fremd" (foreign/strange). It's a form of group-focused enmity, often based on prejudice, stereotypes, and fear of the unknown.

The word is feminine (weiblich), indicated by the suffix -keit. This suffix forms abstract nouns, which are always feminine in German.

🚨 Important Note: The term carries a strong negative connotation and is used to describe discriminatory behavior and attitudes.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: die Ausländerfeindlichkeit

The noun "Ausländerfeindlichkeit" is feminine. Abstract nouns ending in -keit generally do not have a plural form in common usage as they describe a concept. A plural ("Ausländerfeindlichkeiten") is grammatically possible but very unusual and would refer to different manifestations or cases of xenophobia.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Ausländerfeindlichkeit in der Gesellschaft nimmt leider zu.
   (Unfortunately, xenophobia in society is increasing.)
2. Wir müssen uns aktiv gegen jede Form der Ausländerfeindlichkeit stellen.
   (We must actively oppose every form of xenophobia.)
3. Studien untersuchen die Ursachen von Ausländerfeindlichkeit.
   (Studies investigate the causes of xenophobia.)

🗣️ Usage and Context of Ausländerfeindlichkeit

"Ausländerfeindlichkeit" is primarily used in social, political, and media discourse to describe attitudes and actions directed against people perceived as foreign.

• Context: Debates about migration, integration, racism, discrimination, social issues.
• Connotation: Always strongly negative.
• Distinction: While Rassismus (racism) often refers to biological or cultural constructs of "race," Ausländerfeindlichkeit specifically targets perceived origin or nationality. However, the terms often overlap in practice. Fremdenfeindlichkeit (xenophobia) and Xenophobie (xenophobia) are very similar terms.

The word is used to name and criticize a serious societal problem.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Think of die Feindlichkeit (the hostility). Words ending in "-keit" are almost always feminine (die). Therefore: die Ausländerfeindlichkeit.

Meaning Mnemonic: Break down the word: Ausländer (foreigners) + Feindlichkeit (hostility). It literally means "hostility towards foreigners".

↔️ Opposites and Similar Terms

⚠️ Caution: Although similar, the terms can have slightly different nuances depending on the context.

😔 A Serious Topic

"Ausländerfeindlichkeit" is a very serious topic describing discrimination and hatred. Out of respect for those affected and the gravity of the issue, making jokes about it is inappropriate.

📜 Poem against Xenophobia

Woher du kommst, welch Haut dich kleidet,
(Where you come from, what skin clothes you,)
Soll nie der Grund sein, dass man leidet.
(Should never be the reason that one suffers.)
Die Vielfalt malt das Leben bunt,
(Diversity paints life colorfully,)
Nicht Hass und Neid zu keiner Stund'.
(Not hate and envy at any hour.)
Ausländerfeindlichkeit – ein Wort so schwer,
(Xenophobia – a word so heavy,)
Doch Menschlichkeit wiegt ungleich mehr.
(But humanity weighs incomparably more.)
Öffnet die Herzen, reicht die Hand,
(Open the hearts, reach out the hand,)
Für Frieden und Verstand im Land.
(For peace and reason in the land.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin eine Haltung, kalt und schwer,
(I am an attitude, cold and heavy,)
Seh' im Anderen oft Gefahr, nicht mehr.
(See often danger in the other, nothing more.)
Wer fremd erscheint, den lehn' ich ab,
(Who seems foreign, I reject,)
Trag Hass und Vorurteil im Kappsack.
(Carry hate and prejudice in my knapsack.)
Gesellschaftlich bin ich ein Problem,
(Socially, I am a problem,)
Mache das Miteinander unbequem.
(Make togetherness uncomfortable.)

Wer bin ich? / What am I?

Lösung / Solution: die Ausländerfeindlichkeit (xenophobia)

🧩 Word Components and Trivia

Word Composition:

The word "Ausländerfeindlichkeit" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Ausländer: Denotes persons originating from another country or having a different nationality. It derives from "aus" (out/from) and "Land" (country).
• Feindlichkeit: Describes an attitude of rejection, hatred, or aggression towards someone or something. Derived from the adjective "feindlich" (hostile, like an enemy) with the suffix "-keit", which forms an abstract noun.

Societal Relevance: The term is central to political and social debates about migration, integration, and discrimination in Germany and many other countries.