die
Begierde
🔍 What does "die Begierde" mean?
Die Begierde (noun, feminine) means a strong, often passionate or impetuous desire for something or someone. It translates closely to 'desire', 'craving', 'longing', or sometimes 'lust'. It can refer to material things, power, knowledge, sexual attraction, or other intense wants.
Unlike a simple wish (der Wunsch) or yearning (die Sehnsucht), die Begierde often carries a stronger, sometimes almost uncontrollable connotation. It can be perceived both positively (e.g., Wissbegierde - thirst for knowledge) and negatively (e.g., Habgier - greed, sexual desire in a destructive context).
🚨 Note: The plural form "die Begierden" is rarely used, mostly in elevated language or literature, to express different kinds of desires or repeated surges of craving.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: die Begierde
The word "Begierde" is a feminine noun. Its definite article is "die". It is primarily used in the singular.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Begierde |
| Genitive | der | Begierde |
| Dative | der | Begierde |
| Accusative | die | Begierde |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Begierden |
| Genitive | der | Begierden |
| Dative | den | Begierden |
| Accusative | die | Begierden |
📝 Example Sentences
- Seine Begierde nach Reichtum war unersättlich.
(His desire for wealth was insatiable.) - Sie konnte die Begierde in seinen Augen sehen.
(She could see the desire in his eyes.) - Die philosophische Untersuchung der menschlichen Begierden ist komplex.
(The philosophical study of human desires is complex.) - Er kämpfte gegen seine inneren Begierden an. (Plural, elevated)
(He fought against his inner desires.)
💡 How to use "Begierde"?
Die Begierde is used to express a strong, often emotionally charged desire. The context is crucial for its connotation:
- Negative/Critical: Often related to greed (Habgier), uncontrolled lust (sexuelle Begierde), or addiction. Example: "Die Begierde nach Macht korrumpiert." (Desire for power corrupts.)
- Neutral/Positive: Less common, but possible, e.g., Wissbegierde (strong desire for knowledge) or in the context of passion and strong drive. Example: "Ihre Begierde, die Welt zu verstehen, trieb sie an." (Her desire to understand the world drove her.)
Comparison with similar words:
- Der Wunsch: A general term for something one would like; less intense than Begierde.
- Das Verlangen: Similar to Begierde, but often slightly less impulsive or negatively connoted; can also mean a strong need.
- Die Lust: Can be a synonym for Begierde (especially sexual), but also means pleasure or inclination (Lust auf Eis - desire/craving for ice cream).
- Die Gier: Always negative; excessive, ruthless desire, usually for material possessions or power.
🧠 Mnemonics for Begierde
Remembering the Article: Many feminine nouns in German end in "-e" (like die Liebe, die Freude). Think: "Die intense desire is die Begierde." Or associate the strong, sometimes overwhelming emotion of desire (Begierde) with the feminine article 'die'.
Remembering the Meaning: The word contains "Gier" (greed). Imagine someone being "beyond gierig" (particularly greedy) – that's Begierde, an intensified, strong desire or craving.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Das Verlangen: Longing, strong desire (often interchangeable).
- Die Gier: Greed (excessive, negative desire).
- Die Lust: Lust, desire (often sexual), also inclination.
- Die Sucht: Addiction (pathological craving).
- Der Drang: Urge, strong impulse.
- Die Sehnsucht: Yearning, deep longing (often painful, for something distant/unattainable).
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- Die Gleichgültigkeit: Indifference.
- Der Widerwille: Reluctance, aversion.
- Der Abscheu: Disgust, loathing.
- Die Enthaltsamkeit: Abstinence, self-restraint.
- Die Bedürfnislosigkeit: Lack of desire/needs.
- Die Ablehnung: Rejection.
⚠️ Similar Sounding Words
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Keks so eine starke Begierde nach Milch?
Weil er ein Krümelmonster im Herzen ist!
(Why does the cookie have such a strong desire for milk? Because it's a cookie monster at heart!)
✒️ Poem about Begierde
Die Begierde, Flamme heiß,
Treibt uns voran auf Lebensgleis.
Mal dunkel, gierig, voller Macht,
Mal hell als Wissensdurst entfacht.
Ein starker Drang, tief in der Brust,
Mal Quell der Freude, mal Verlust.
(Desire, a flame so hot,
Drives us forward on life's track.
Sometimes dark, greedy, full of might,
Sometimes kindled as thirst for knowledge bright.
A strong urge, deep within the chest,
Sometimes source of joy, sometimes loss, no rest.)
🕵️♀️ Little Riddle
Ich bin ein starkes Feuer, schwer zu zähmen,
kann nach Macht, nach Liebe, nach Wissen streben.
Manchmal bin ich Gier, manchmal nur ein Drang,
mein Name klingt intensiv, ein Leben lang.
Was bin ich?
(I am a strong fire, hard to tame,
Can strive for power, for love, for knowledge's flame.
Sometimes I am greed, sometimes just an urge,
My name sounds intense, through a whole life surge.
What am I?)
(Solution: die Begierde / desire, craving)
💡 Other Information
Word Composition:
The word "Begierde" is composed of:
- Prefix "be-": often intensifying or descriptive.
- Root word "Gier": greed, strong desire (often negative).
- Suffix "-de": forms an abstract noun here.
Etymologically, "Begierde" roughly means "the state of being greedy" or a state of intense desire.
Cultural Significance:
In many philosophies and religions (e.g., Buddhism, Stoicism), desire (Begierde) is considered a primary cause of suffering, and overcoming it is seen as an important goal.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Begierde?
The German word Begierde is feminine. The correct article is die. So, you should say: die Begierde.