die
Bestürzung
😟 What does "die Bestürzung" mean?
Die Bestürzung describes a state of strong, often sudden emotional shock, dismay, consternation, or great alarm. It typically occurs as a reaction to an unexpected, usually negative or shocking event.
It is an abstract noun and always feminine. There are no different meanings based on different articles, as only "die" is correct.
- Core meaning: A feeling of shock, dismay, or deep worry.
🚨 Attention: Don't confuse Bestürzung with simple surprise or curiosity. It always implies a negative emotional reaction.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
🧐 Grammar of "die Bestürzung" in Detail
Bestürzung is a feminine noun. It is mostly used in the singular. The plural "die Bestürzungen" is very rare and usually refers to individual acts or expressions of dismay.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Bestürzung |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Bestürzung |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Bestürzung |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Bestürzung |
Example Sentences
- Die Nachricht von dem Unfall löste allgemeine Bestürzung aus.
(The news of the accident caused general dismay.) - Trotz seiner Bestürzung versuchte er, ruhig zu bleiben.
(Despite his dismay, he tried to remain calm.) - Sie konnte ihre Bestürzung über die Ereignisse kaum verbergen.
(She could hardly hide her consternation about the events.) - Ein Ausdruck tiefer Bestürzung lag auf ihrem Gesicht.
(An expression of deep dismay was on her face.)
🗣️ How to use "Bestürzung"?
Bestürzung is used to express a strong negative emotional reaction to unsettling or shocking information or events.
- Typical Contexts: News about disasters, accidents, unexpected deaths, political scandals, personal bad news.
- Common Phrases:
- mit Bestürzung reagieren / aufnehmen / zur Kenntnis nehmen (to react / receive / note with dismay)
- seine / ihre Bestürzung ausdrücken / zeigen (to express / show one's dismay)
- in Bestürzung geraten (to become dismayed)
- zu meiner / seiner / ihrer (großen) Bestürzung (to my / his / her (great) dismay)
- voller Bestürzung sein (to be full of dismay)
- Differentiation:
- Schreck(en) (fright, scare): Often a shorter, sudden moment of shock. Bestürzung is often more lasting and involves bewilderment.
- Entsetzen (horror): Similarly strong, but emphasizes horror or dread more.
- Verwunderung (astonishment, wonder): Neutral or positive surprise.
- Besorgnis (concern, worry): More of an ongoing worry about the future, whereas Bestürzung is a reaction to something that has already happened.
💡 Mnemonics for "die Bestürzung"
For the Article (die): Many German nouns ending in -ung are feminine: die Meinung (opinion), die Hoffnung (hope), die Rechnung (bill) – and also die Bestürzung. Remember: -ung is (almost always) die-land!
For the Meaning: Think of the verb "stürzen" (to fall, to plunge). Shocking news can emotionally make you "stumble" or "fall" – it throws you into a state of Bestürzung (dismay, consternation). Or think of being emotionally "stirred" up and disturbed.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Das Entsetzen: (Horror) Strong feeling of dread and shock.
- Die Fassungslosigkeit: (Bewilderment) State of being unable to comprehend something.
- Die Konsternation: (Consternation) Confusion and dismay.
- Die Erschütterung: (Shock, concussion) Deep emotional disturbance, often through grief or shock.
- Der Schock: (Shock) Sudden, violent reaction to an event.
- Die Beunruhigung: (Unease, anxiety) Feeling of worry and nervousness (often less intense).
Antonyms (opposites):
- Die Gelassenheit: (Calmness, serenity) Inner peace and composure.
- Die Ruhe: (Calm, quiet) Absence of disturbance or excitement.
- Die Fassung: (Composure) Self-control, countenance.
- Die Freude: (Joy) Positive feeling of happiness.
- Die Erleichterung: (Relief) Feeling of release from worry or tension.
⚠️ Similar but misleading words:
😂 A Little Joke
German: Warum reagierte die Glühbirne mit Bestürzung auf den Stromausfall? - Sie war völlig fassungslos!
English: Why did the lightbulb react with dismay to the power outage? - It was completely shocked (or literally: bewildered/speechless)!
📜 Poem about Bestürzung
German:
Ein Ruf, ein Wort, ein kalter Wind,
Die Nachricht trifft geschwind.
Im Innern weicht die Heiterkeit,
Für Bestürzung ist nun Zeit.
Die Welt hält an, der Atem stockt,
Man ist zutiefst geschockt.
Ein Schleier legt sich übers Sein,
Fassungslos und ganz allein.
English:
A call, a word, a wind so cold,
The news arrives, swift and bold.
Inside, the cheerfulness gives way,
Now it's time for deep dismay.
The world stops turning, breath is caught,
Profoundly shocked, by what is brought.
A veil descends on being's core,
Bewildered and alone once more.
🧩 Riddle
German:
Ich folge oft auf Schreck und Not,
Bin sprachlos, kalt, fast wie der Tod.
Ich zeige an, dass Unheil naht,
Ein schweres Herz, kein guter Rat.
Wer bin ich, dieses Bangen,
Wenn Hoffnungen gefangen?
(Lösung: die Bestürzung)
English:
I often follow fright and need,
Am speechless, cold, like death indeed.
I indicate that doom is near,
A heavy heart, no counsel clear.
Who am I, this anxious state,
When hopes are trapped by cruelest fate?
(Answer: die Bestürzung / dismay)
📎 Other Information
Word Composition
The word Bestürzung is composed of:
- The prefix "be-": often intensifying or directed towards an object.
- The verb stem "stürz-" (from "stürzen"): to fall, plunge, overthrow, rush.
- The suffix "-ung": forms nouns from verbs, usually feminine, often denoting a process or state.
The composition suggests a state one is "plunged" into by something unexpected.
Noun Type
It is an abstract noun as it describes a feeling rather than a tangible object.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Bestürzung?
The word "Bestürzung" is always feminine: die Bestürzung. It describes a strong feeling of dismay, consternation, or shock in reaction to a mostly negative, unexpected event.