die
Befangenheit
📚 What does "die Befangenheit" mean?
The German word die Befangenheit has two primary meanings:
Bias, partiality: This refers to a lack of objectivity or neutrality, often in a legal or official context. A person is befangen if they have personal interests or prejudices that could influence their decision or judgment. 😟
Example: Der Richter erklärte seine Befangenheit, da er den Angeklagten persönlich kannte. (The judge declared his bias because he knew the defendant personally.)
Shyness, inhibition, self-consciousness, embarrassment: This describes a state of insecurity or discomfort in social situations or during certain actions (e.g., speaking in public). One feels inhibited and not at ease. 😳
Example: Trotz ihrer Befangenheit hielt sie eine beeindruckende Rede. (Despite her shyness/inhibition, she gave an impressive speech.)
⚠️ It's important to consider the context to understand the correct meaning.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-heit → always feminine.
📐 Grammar of Befangenheit in Detail
Die Befangenheit is a feminine noun. It is mostly used in the singular. The plural form (die Befangenheiten) is rare and usually refers to multiple instances of bias or partiality.
Declension Singular
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Nom) | die Befangenheit | eine Befangenheit |
| Genitive (Gen) | der Befangenheit | einer Befangenheit |
| Dative (Dat) | der Befangenheit | einer Befangenheit |
| Accusative (Acc) | die Befangenheit | eine Befangenheit |
Declension Plural - Rare
| Case | Definite Article |
|---|---|
| Nominative | die Befangenheiten |
| Genitive | der Befangenheiten |
| Dative | den Befangenheiten |
| Accusative | die Befangenheiten |
📝 Example Sentences
- (Bias): Die Verteidigung stellte einen Antrag wegen Befangenheit des Gutachters.
(The defense filed a motion alleging bias on the part of the expert witness.) - (Shyness): Seine Befangenheit hinderte ihn daran, neue Leute kennenzulernen.
(His shyness prevented him from getting to know new people.) - (Shyness): Sie überwand ihre anfängliche Befangenheit und sprach frei.
(She overcame her initial self-consciousness and spoke freely.) - (Bias - Plural, rare): Es wurden mehrere Befangenheiten im Auswahlverfahren aufgedeckt.
(Several instances of bias were uncovered in the selection process.)
🗣️ How to use "Befangenheit"?
The usage of die Befangenheit depends heavily on the context:
Context: Bias/Partiality
- Legal/Formal: Very common in the justice system (judges, lay judges, experts, witnesses). Also used in committees, panels, administrative procedures.
- Phrases: "Befangenheit geltend machen" (to claim bias), "einen Antrag wegen Befangenheit stellen" (to file a motion for bias), "die Befangenheit eines Richters" (the bias of a judge), "Besorgnis der Befangenheit" (concern about potential bias).
- Focus: Lack of neutrality, potential conflict of interest.
Context: Shyness/Inhibition
- Social/Personal: Description of feelings and behavior in social interactions, during performances, in unfamiliar situations.
- Phrases: "seine Befangenheit überwinden" (to overcome one's shyness/inhibition), "aus Befangenheit schweigen" (to remain silent out of shyness), "eine gewisse Befangenheit zeigen" (to show a certain shyness/awkwardness), "frei von Befangenheit" (free from inhibition/shyness).
- Focus: Inner insecurity, inhibition, self-consciousness.
Distinction: While Voreingenommenheit often describes a conscious or unconscious inclination towards one side, Befangenheit in the legal sense often emphasizes the *reason* for the potential lack of neutrality (e.g., kinship, friendship, economic interest). In the psychological sense, Befangenheit is closer to Schüchternheit (shyness) or Hemmung (inhibition) than to active prejudice.
🧠 Mnemonics for Befangenheit
For the article 'die': Nouns ending in -heit are almost always feminine in German. Think of: die Schönheit (beauty), die Gesundheit (health), die Freiheit (freedom)... and therefore also die Befangenheit.
For the meanings: Imagine being "caught" (the root is fangen - to catch). You are either "caught" by your shyness and cannot speak/act freely. Or you are "caught" by your prejudice/bias and cannot judge objectively. Both meanings imply being held back or restricted.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Words)
- For bias/partiality: Parteilichkeit (partiality), Einseitigkeit (one-sidedness), Subjektivität (subjectivity), Vorurteil (prejudice), Voreingenommenheit (preconception, bias).
- For shyness/inhibition: Gehemmtheit (inhibition), Verlegenheit (embarrassment, awkwardness), Unsicherheit (insecurity), Schüchternheit (shyness), Hemmung (inhibition), Zurückhaltung (reserve).
Antonyms (Opposites)
- Against bias/partiality: Unbefangenheit (impartiality, lack of bias), Objektivität (objectivity), Neutralität (neutrality), Unparteilichkeit (impartiality), Unvoreingenommenheit (open-mindedness).
- Against shyness/inhibition: Selbstsicherheit (self-confidence), Selbstbewusstsein (self-assurance), Offenheit (openness), Ungezwungenheit (naturalness, ease), Souveränität (composure, confidence).
⚠️ Similar but Different Words
- Die Voreingenommenheit: Refers more strongly to a preconceived judgment or inclination before all facts are known. Befangenheit (legal) is often the *reason* for potential Voreingenommenheit.
- Die Hemmung: Is often a more specific psychological mechanism that blocks certain actions. Befangenheit (psychological) can be the *feeling* resulting from it.
😄 A Little Joke
German: Fragt der Anwalt den Zeugen: "Sind Sie befangen?" Antwortet der Zeuge: "Nein, wieso? Sollte ich etwas fangen?"
English Translation: The lawyer asks the witness: "Are you biased?" (Sind Sie befangen?) The witness replies: "No, why? Should I catch something?" (Sollte ich etwas fangen?)
(This is a pun, as 'befangen sein' means 'to be biased/inhibited', while 'fangen' means 'to catch'.)
📜 Poem about Befangenheit
German:
Die Befangenheit, ein zartes Band,
hält oft die Worte fest in meiner Hand.
Ein rotes Glühen auf der Wang',
macht freien Redefluss mir bang.
Doch auch im Recht, da zeigt sie Macht,
wenn Urteil trüb durch Freundschaft wacht.
Objektivität, das hohe Gut,
verlangt nach klarem, freiem Mut.
So ringt der Mensch, in beiderlei Gestalt,
mit Befangenheit, mal jung, mal alt.
English Translation:
Die Befangenheit, a tender tie,
Often holds words captive, nigh.
A rosy glow upon the cheek,
Makes fluent speaking hard to seek.
But also in law, it shows its might,
When judgment's clouded by friendship's light.
Objectivity, that precious state,
Demands a mind that's clear and great.
So people struggle, in both forms,
With Befangenheit, through life's storms.
🤔 Riddle
German:
Ich kann einen Richter vom Stuhl verweisen,
und einen Redner leise speisen.
Mal bin ich Grund für rote Ohren,
mal werd' ich im Gesetz beschworen.
Was bin ich?
English Translation:
I can make a judge step down from the chair,
And feed a speaker silent fare.
Sometimes I'm the cause for ears turned red,
Sometimes in law, my name is said.
What am I?
Solution: die Befangenheit (bias / shyness/inhibition)
🧩 Other Information
Word Formation (Wortbildung):
The word Befangenheit is derived from the past participle of the verb befangen. 'Befangen sein' originally meant 'to be encompassed', 'to be caught' (by feelings, prejudices, external circumstances).
- Prefix be-: often intensifying or directional
- Stem fang(en): to catch, seize
- Suffix -heit: forms abstract feminine nouns denoting a state or quality.
Cultural Aspect: The concept of judicial impartiality (Unbefangenheit) is a central pillar of many legal systems worldwide to ensure fair trials.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Befangenheit?
The correct article for Befangenheit is die. The word is feminine and means either bias/partiality (often in a legal context) or shyness/inhibition/self-consciousness (in a personal context).