die  Bequemlichkeit

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈkveːmlɪçkaɪt/

🛋️ What does „die Bequemlichkeit“ mean?

Die Bequemlichkeit is a feminine noun derived from the adjective bequem (comfortable, convenient). It has several nuances in meaning:

• Comfort and Convenience: A state of physical or mental well-being resulting from pleasant circumstances or ease of use. Example: Die Bequemlichkeit des neuen Sofas ist unschlagbar. (The comfort of the new sofa is unbeatable.)
• Ease and Practicality: Something that is practical and requires little effort. Example: Aus reiner Bequemlichkeit bestellte er das Essen online. (Purely out of convenience/laziness, he ordered the food online.)
• Laziness and Inertia (often negative): A tendency to avoid effort and choose the easiest path, even if it's not the best one; sluggishness. Example: Seine Bequemlichkeit hinderte ihn daran, Sport zu treiben. (His laziness/comfort-seeking prevented him from doing sports.) ⚠️ This meaning is very common and often used critically, especially when referring to people.

The context usually determines which meaning is intended. The negative connotation often prevails in everyday language when talking about people's character.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Focus: die Bequemlichkeit

The word „Bequemlichkeit“ is a feminine noun. The article is die. Nouns ending in -keit are almost always feminine in German.

Declension:

Plural: The plural form „die Bequemlichkeiten“ is rarely used. When it is, it usually refers to specific conveniences or comfortable items/facilities.

📝 Example Sentences:

1. Ich schätze die Bequemlichkeit meines Zuhauses.
   (I appreciate the comfort of my home.)
2. Er erledigte die Aufgabe nur aus Bequemlichkeit nicht sofort.
   (He didn't do the task immediately simply out of laziness/convenience.)
3. Moderne Technik bietet viele Bequemlichkeiten.
   (Modern technology offers many conveniences.)
4. Man sollte nicht der reinen Bequemlichkeit nachgeben.
   (One shouldn't give in to pure comfort-seeking/laziness.)

💡 Using „Bequemlichkeit“ Correctly

The use of die Bequemlichkeit strongly depends on the context:

• Positive Context (Comfort/Convenience): Often used in relation to housing, travel, technical devices, or services. Here, it describes a pleasant, effortless state or a practical facility. Example: Die Bequemlichkeit eines All-inclusive-Urlaubs ist verlockend. (The convenience of an all-inclusive holiday is tempting.)
• Negative Context (Inertia/Laziness): Frequently used regarding human behavior and decisions. It criticizes a lack of drive, initiative, or the tendency to avoid necessary effort. Example: Seine berufliche Stagnation ist zum Teil seiner eigenen Bequemlichkeit geschuldet. (His professional stagnation is partly due to his own laziness/comfort-seeking.)
• Distinction from similar words:
  • Gemütlichkeit: Refers more to a cozy, comfortable atmosphere and inner mood, less to external comfort or laziness. It's about feeling snug and content.
  • Faulheit: Is a stronger, more direct term for unwillingness to work and inertia than the often more subtle „Bequemlichkeit“. Bequemlichkeit can also mean choosing the easiest path without necessarily being completely inactive.
  • Komfort: Is often a direct synonym for the positive meaning of Bequemlichkeit (convenience, physical comfort).

The phrase „aus Bequemlichkeit“ often means 'to save oneself trouble' or 'because it's easier'.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

For the article: Remember that nouns ending in "-keit" are feminine (die). Think of other -keit words like Freundlichkeit (friendliness) or Möglichkeit (possibility). They all take die. So does Bequemlichkeit.

For the meaning: Think of how "bequem" (comfortable) it is to sit on a comfy couch. Sometimes it's *so* comfortable you don't want to get up - that captures the dual meaning: pleasant ease (positive) and inertia/laziness (negative). Being "bequem" leads to Bequemlichkeit.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Watch out for similar words:

• Die Behaglichkeit: Similar to Gemütlichkeit, emphasizes the feeling of comfort and coziness.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der faule Mann den Marathon gewonnen?
Aus reiner Bequemlichkeit – er hat eine Abkürzung genommen! 😉

(Why did the lazy man win the marathon?
Out of pure convenience/laziness – he took a shortcut!)

📜 Poem about Bequemlichkeit

Die Bequemlichkeit, ein sanftes Kissen,
(Comfort, a gentle pillow,)
lädt oft zum süßen Nichtstunwissen.
(Often invites sweet idleness.)
Ein weiches Sofa, warm und breit,
(A soft sofa, warm and wide,)
vertreibt die Mühsal, Raum und Zeit.
(Drives away hardship, space and time.)

Doch Vorsicht, Freund, sie hat zwei Seiten,
(But beware, friend, it has two sides,)
kann lähmen auch, statt zu begleiten.
(Can also paralyze, instead of accompany.)
Wer ihr verfällt mit Haut und Haar,
(Whoever succumbs to it completely,)
verpasst das Leben, Jahr für Jahr.
(Misses out on life, year after year.)

Drum nutz sie weise, ihre Kraft,
(So use its power wisely,)
die Pause, die Erholung schafft.
(The break that brings recovery.)
Doch steh dann auf, sei wieder rege,
(But then get up, be active again,)
sonst bleibst du auf dem Holzwege.
(Otherwise, you'll stay on the wrong track.)

❓ Riddle

Ich habe keinen Körper, doch biete Komfort.
(I have no body, yet offer comfort.)
Ich habe keinen Willen, doch halte dich am Ort.
(I have no will, yet keep you in place.)
Man schätzt mich sehr beim Wohnen und Reisen,
(I am valued highly in homes and travel,)
doch wirft man mir vor, träge zu sein in vielen Kreisen.
(But many circles accuse me of being sluggish/lazy.)

Was bin ich? / What am I?
... Die Bequemlichkeit

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word „Bequemlichkeit“ is composed of:

• The adjective bequem (comfortable, convenient)
• The suffix -lichkeit, which forms nouns from adjectives, indicating a state or quality (similar to -ness or -ity in English, or the German suffixes -heit / -keit).

This structure is typical for many German nouns describing qualities (e.g., Freundlichkeit - friendliness, Ehrlichkeit - honesty, Schnelligkeit - speed).