die
Bedrängnis
What does die Bedrängnis mean? 🤔
Die Bedrängnis (noun, feminine) describes a state of great hardship, a difficult, often seemingly hopeless situation, or a predicament or plight. It signifies a lack of freedom or resources that causes pressure and worry.
- Core meaning: A serious, difficult situation that puts someone under pressure (Notlage, Zwangslage, Klemme).
- Context: Can refer to financial, emotional, social, or physical difficulties.
🚨 Attention: The plural "die Bedrängnisse" is very rare and mostly used in elevated or poetic language.
Grammar Spotlight: Declining die Bedrängnis
Die Bedrängnis is a feminine noun. The plural is uncommon.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun | English Case Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Bedrängnis | Subject (Who/What?) |
| Genitive | der | Bedrängnis | Possessive (Whose?) |
| Dative | der | Bedrängnis | Indirect Object (To/For whom?) |
| Accusative | die | Bedrängnis | Direct Object (Whom/What?) |
Example Sentences
- Viele Familien gerieten durch die Krise in finanzielle Bedrängnis.
Many families got into financial hardship due to the crisis. - In seiner Bedrängnis wandte er sich an seine Freunde.
In his distress, he turned to his friends. - Sie half ihm aus der Bedrängnis.
She helped him out of his predicament. - Die Bedrängnis der Flüchtlinge war offensichtlich.
The plight of the refugees was obvious.
When to use Bedrängnis? Context & Nuances
Bedrängnis is used to describe serious difficulties or hardships. It often implies a feeling of confinement, pressure, or hopelessness.
- Typical Collocations:
- in Bedrängnis geraten/kommen/sein (to get into/be in distress/a tight spot)
- jemanden in Bedrängnis bringen (to put someone in a difficult position)
- aus der Bedrängnis helfen/befreien (to help/free someone from distress)
- finanzielle/wirtschaftliche/seelische Bedrängnis (financial/economic/emotional distress)
- Distinction from other words:
- Not: Often stronger, more existential than Bedrängnis (need, emergency).
- Schwierigkeit: More general, less intense than Bedrängnis (difficulty).
- Klemme: More colloquial for an awkward but often solvable tight spot (jam, fix).
- Misere: Emphasizes the misery and hopelessness of the situation.
- Style: Tends towards more formal or elevated language, but is also understood and used in general language for serious situations.
Memory Aids for die Bedrängnis 🧠
For the article 'die': Many abstract nouns ending in '-nis' describing a state are feminine (like die Finsternis - the darkness, die Erlaubnis - the permission). Imagine SHE (die) is in distress, feeling pressed into a corner – that's die Bedrängnis.
For the meaning: The word contains "drängen" (to press, to urge). When you are be-drängt, meaning pressed or harassed by worries or problems, you are in Bedrängnis (distress). Think of being 'pressed' into a bad situation.
Word Field: Synonyms & Antonyms ↔️
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Notlage (emergency, difficult situation)
- Zwangslage (predicament, tight spot)
- Klemme (jam, fix, tight spot - colloquial)
- Misere (misery, wretched situation)
- Misslichkeit (awkward situation, difficulty)
- Schwierigkeit (difficulty - in serious context)
- Not (need, distress, emergency)
- Elend (misery, destitution)
- Dilemma
- Drangsal (affliction, tribulation - elevated)
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Sicherheit (safety, security)
- Wohlstand (prosperity, wealth)
- Glück (happiness, luck)
- Erleichterung (relief)
- Unbeschwertheit (lightheartedness, ease)
- Freiheit (freedom)
- Komfort (comfort)
- Gelingen (success)
Similarly sounding words: Be careful not to confuse it with "Drangsal", which also describes hardship but often focuses more on external torment or persecution.
A Little Chuckle 😂
Warum geraten Mathematiker nie in finanzielle Bedrängnis?
Weil sie immer mit allen Variablen rechnen!
--- Translation ---
Why do mathematicians never get into financial distress?
Because they always count on (or: calculate with) all variables!
Poetry Corner: Rhymes for Hard Times 🎤
Die Mauern eng, die Luft so knapp,
Gefangen in der Sorgen Fall'n-Trap.
Die Rechnung hoch, das Konto leer,
Die Bedrängnis wiegt so furchtbar schwer.
Doch irgendwo ein kleiner Schein,
bringt Hoffnung bald ins Herz hinein.
--- Translation ---
The walls are tight, the air so thin,
Caught in the worry trap within.
The bill is high, the account is bare,
The hardship weighs beyond compare.
But somewhere shines a little light,
Bringing hope soon into the heart so bright.
Who am I? A Little Riddle 🧩
Ich habe keinen Körper, doch drücke schwer.
Ich mache Sorgen, mal weniger, mal mehr.
Man kommt in mich, wenn's eng wird und prekär.
Man hilft sich aus mir, ist das nicht wunderbar?
Wer bin ich?
(Lösung: die Bedrängnis)
--- Translation ---
I have no body, yet I press down hard.
I cause worries, sometimes less, sometimes more.
You get into me when things get tight and precarious.
People help each other out of me, isn't that wonderful?
Who am I?
(Answer: die Bedrängnis / distress, plight)
Extra Facts & Origin 🧐
Word Composition:
Bedrängnis is derived from the verb bedrängen (to pressure someone, to corner them). It is composed of:
- Prefix be- (intensifying or directional)
- Verb drängen (to press, push, urge towards something)
- Suffix -nis (forms nouns expressing a state or result)
The ending '-nis' often leads to feminine nouns when describing a state (e.g., Finsternis - darkness, Erlaubnis - permission), which is the case here.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Bedrängnis?
The word Bedrängnis is feminine, so the correct article is die. It describes a situation of distress, plight, or hardship.