die  Behinderung

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈhɪndʊʁʊŋ/

📖 What does "die Behinderung" mean?

The German word die Behinderung primarily has two meanings:

1. Medical/Social: A long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairment which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder a person's full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. This is the most common and important meaning in contemporary usage. Example: Menschen mit Behinderung haben Anspruch auf Unterstützung (People with disabilities are entitled to support).
2. General: An obstacle, impediment, hindrance, or disruption to a process or activity. This meaning is more general and less specific. Example: Die Baustelle stellt eine erhebliche Behinderung des Verkehrs dar (The construction site represents a significant hindrance to traffic).

🚨 Important Note: The term "Behinderung" in the medical/social sense is considered stigmatizing by some people. Alternatives like "Beeinträchtigung" (impairment) or descriptive phrases ("Mensch mit Lernschwierigkeiten" - person with learning difficulties) are sometimes preferred, especially in self-advocacy contexts. However, the official legal term in Germany remains "Behinderung".

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar of "die Behinderung"

"Behinderung" is a feminine noun. The article is always die.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

📝 Example Sentences

• Nominative Singular: Die Behinderung ist kein Grund für Ausgrenzung. (The disability is no reason for exclusion.)
• Genitive Singular: Trotz der Behinderung meisterte er sein Leben. (Despite the disability, he mastered his life.)
• Dative Singular: Mit der Behinderung muss sie täglich umgehen. (She has to deal with the disability every day.)
• Accusative Singular: Er akzeptiert die Behinderung als Teil von sich. (He accepts the disability as part of himself.)
• Nominative Plural: Es gibt verschiedene Arten von Behinderungen. (There are different types of disabilities.)
• Dative Plural: Die Gesetze sollen Menschen mit Behinderungen helfen. (The laws are intended to help people with disabilities.)

🗣️ How to use "die Behinderung"?

The usage of "die Behinderung" heavily depends on the context:

• In medical, social, and legal contexts: It clearly refers to the impairment of body functions or structures that can lead to limitations in activity and participation (see definition 1). Sensitivity is required here. Phrasing like "Mensch mit Behinderung" (person with a disability) is often preferred over "Behinderter" (disabled person), as it puts the person first.
• In general language: It can refer to any kind of obstacle or disruption (see definition 2), e.g., in traffic, during construction work, or in a process. This usage is more neutral. Example: Die fehlenden Unterlagen führten zu einer Behinderung des Antragsverfahrens (The missing documents led to a hindrance of the application process).

⚠️ Caution: Avoid using the word lightly or pejoratively, especially when referring to people. The term has a strong socio-political dimension and is closely linked to topics like Inklusion (inclusion), Barrierefreiheit (accessibility), and Diskriminierung (discrimination).

Comparison: "Beeinträchtigung" (impairment) is often perceived as more neutral than "Behinderung". "Handicap" is a rather outdated loanword from English. "Einschränkung" (limitation, restriction) is more general and can also be temporary.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Behinderung"

For the article: Many German nouns ending in -ung are feminine (die). Think of: die Endung (the ending), die Lösung (the solution), die Meinung (the opinion)... and therefore also die Behinderung. It's a 'female' ending!

For the meaning: The word comes from the verb "hindern" (to hinder). A Be-hinder-ung is something that hinders you – either from participating in society (meaning 1) or from doing a specific activity (meaning 2).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Verhinderung: (Prevention) Refers to actively stopping something before it happens (e.g., Verhinderung eines Unfalls - prevention of an accident).
• Hinderung: (Hindering, obstruction) Similar to Behinderung (meaning 2), but often refers to a specific act of hindering (e.g., Hinderung an der Flucht - hindering an escape).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Computer eine Lesebrille bekommen?

Er hatte eine Seh-Behinderung auf der Festplatte! 😉

(Why did the computer get reading glasses? It had a visual 'Behinderung' (impairment/error) on the hard drive!)

(This joke plays on the more general meaning of Behinderung as a defect or disruption.)

📜 A Little Poem

Die Behinderung, ein Wort, oft schwer,
Mal Stolperstein, mal Hindernis im Verkehr.
Doch meint es auch den Mensch, ganz klar,
Mit andren Gaben, wunderbar.
Nicht nur Barriere, nicht nur Last,
Sondern Vielfalt, ohne Hast.
Lasst uns die Brücken dazu bauen,
Einander helfen und vertrauen.

--- English Translation ---

"Die Behinderung", a word, often heavy,
A stumbling block, or traffic levy.
But it also means the person, clear,
With different gifts, held ever dear.
Not just a barrier, not just plight,
But diversity, shining bright.
Let's build the bridges, understand,
Helping each other, hand in hand.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich kann im Körper oder Geist zu finden sein,
Oder auch ein Stau auf der Autobahn – ganz allgemein.
Manchmal brauchst du Hilfe, mich zu überwinden,
Man spricht von Inklusion, um Wege neu zu finden.
Mein Artikel ist feminin, das ist bekannt.

Wie heiß ich wohl in diesem Land?

--- English Translation ---

I can be found in body or in mind,
Or just a traffic jam, of the general kind.
Sometimes you need help to overcome me,
People talk of inclusion, for paths to be free.
My article is feminine, that much is known.

What am I called in this land, when shown?

Solution: die Behinderung

💡 Other Information

Word Origin & Composition

The word "Behinderung" is a nominalization (forming a noun) of the verb "behindern" (to hinder).

• be-: A prefix often indicating an effect on an object or making something more comprehensive.
• hindern: The root of the word, meaning to stop, impede, stand in the way.
• -ung: A suffix used to form feminine nouns from verbs, often denoting a state, process, or its result.

Legal Aspect

In German social law (Sozialgesetzbuch IX - SGB IX), there is a precise definition of who qualifies as a person with a disability (Mensch mit Behinderung). This is relevant for entitlements to participation benefits (Leistungen zur Teilhabe).

International Day

December 3rd is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, proclaimed by the United Nations.