die  Belästigung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈlɛstɪɡʊŋ/

🧐 What is "die Belästigung"?

Die Belästigung is a feminine German noun referring to an action or state that is perceived as disturbing, unpleasant, or intrusive. It can relate to various situations:

• General disturbance: Noise, repeated calls, or other actions that disrupt someone's peace.
• Intrusiveness: Unwanted advances or requests.
• Legal Context: Especially in a legal sense, Belästigung can encompass more serious forms such as sexuelle Belästigung (sexual harassment) in the workplace or stalking. ⚖️

The word derives from the verb belästigen (to bother, to annoy, to harass).

🚨 Watch out: The term's severity can vary greatly depending on the context, ranging from a simple annoyance or nuisance to a criminal offense (harassment).

Article rules for der, die, and das

Die Grammatik: Grammar of "Belästigung" 🧐

"Belästigung" is a feminine noun. The article is die. Like most feminine nouns ending in -ung, it follows a regular declension pattern.

📝 Examples

• Die ständige Belästigung durch den Baulärm ist unerträglich.
  (The constant annoyance from the construction noise is unbearable.)
• Er wurde wegen wiederholter Belästigung angezeigt.
  (He was reported for repeated harassment.)
• Sie setzte sich gegen die Belästigung zur Wehr.
  (She defended herself against the harassment/annoyance.)
• Viele Frauen berichteten von sexuellen Belästigungen am Arbeitsplatz.
  (Many women reported sexual harassment incidents at work.)

Usage and Context of "Belästigung" 🗣️

The term "die Belästigung" is used in various contexts:

• Everyday language: Here, it often describes minor annoyances or disturbances. Example: Die ständigen Werbeanrufe sind eine echte Belästigung. (The constant advertising calls are a real nuisance.)
• Law and the workplace: In this area, "Belästigung" often has a specific legal meaning, especially concerning issues like sexuelle Belästigung (sexual harassment), Mobbing (bullying), or Stalking. It refers to unwanted behaviour that violates a person's dignity. Example: Sexuelle Belästigung am Arbeitsplatz ist ein Kündigungsgrund. (Sexual harassment at the workplace is grounds for dismissal.)
• Public spaces: Annoyance or harassment can also occur in public, e.g., through intrusive begging or addressing people unwantedly.

Distinction from similar terms:

• Störung (disturbance): Is often more general and less negatively charged than Belästigung. A construction site causes a Störung, but can become a Belästigung if the noise is unreasonable.
• Beleidigung (insult): Aims at degrading a person through words, whereas Belästigung describes unwanted actions or conditions.
• Bedrohung (threat): Implies the announcement of violence or harm, which goes beyond Belästigung.

The intensity and legal relevance of "Belästigung" heavily depend on the specific context and action.

💡 Mnemonics for "die Belästigung"

1. Article Mnemonic (die):

   Think of the ending "-ung". Almost all nouns ending in "-ung" are feminine and take the article "die". Like die Meinung (opinion), die Übung (exercise), die Hoffnung (hope) – and also die Belästigung. An end-ing like "-ung", often describing a process or state, is usually feminine.

2. Meaning Mnemonic (Annoyance, Harassment):

   Imagine someone constantly putting burdens (Lasten in German) on you that you don't want – they be-last-igen you (the verb). This is a Be-lästig-ung. It's bothersome, a nuisance, an unwanted burden. Think of it as being 'badly lasted' upon.

🔄 Synonyms, Antonyms & Similar Words

⚠️ Similar Words (Potential Confusion):

• Belastung: Refers more to a burden, load, strain (physical, psychological) or financial liability, not necessarily an active disturbance by a person.
• Belästigen (verb): To bother, annoy, harass - the action leading to Belästigung.

😄 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Chef seine neue Sekretärin: "Haben Sie manchmal das Gefühl, von der Arbeit belästigt zu werden?" Sie: "Nein, wieso?" Chef: "Dann holen Sie sich doch bitte einen Kaffee für mich!"

English: The boss asks his new secretary: "Do you sometimes feel harassed by work?" She: "No, why?" Boss: "Then please get me a coffee!"

📜 A Short Poem

German:
Ein stetes Klopfen, spät am Abend,
Ein Anruf, der die Ruh' dir raubend.
Ein Wort zu viel, ein Blick, der stört,
Man fühlt sich ungesehn', ungehört.
Die Belästigung, sie schleicht sich ein,
Lässt ungern dich in Frieden sein.

English:
A constant knocking, late at night,
A phone call robbing peace and light.
A word too much, a glance that bothers,
One feels unseen, unheard by others.
The harassment/annoyance, it creeps near,
Unwillingly lets go of fear.

🧩 Riddle

German:
Ich bin oft unerwünscht und selten fein,
Kann Lärm sein, ein Anruf, oder aufdringlich sein.
Manchmal bin ich nur lästig, ein kleiner Schmerz,
Manchmal verletz' ich tief im Herz.
Im Gesetzbuch hab' ich meinen Platz,
Beendet oft den schönen Satz.

Was bin ich? (Lösung: die Belästigung)

English:
I'm often unwanted and rarely fine,
Can be noise, a call, or crossing a line.
Sometimes I'm just annoying, a minor pain,
Sometimes I hurt deeply, again and again.
In the law books, I have my place,
Often ending a pleasant space.

What am I? (Answer: die Belästigung / harassment/annoyance)

Other Information about Belästigung 🤓

Word Formation:

The word "Belästigung" is a noun derived from the verb "belästigen" (to bother, to harass). This is done by adding the suffix "-ung". This suffix is commonly used in German to form nouns from verbs, often denoting the process or result of the action (e.g., warnen -> Warnung [warning], hoffen -> Hoffnung [hope]).

Legal Dimension:

In Germany, Belästigung, especially sexuelle Belästigung (sexual harassment), is legally regulated, for example, in the General Equal Treatment Act (Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz - AGG). It's important to use the term correctly in a legal context.