die  Bewunderung

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈvʊndɐʁʊŋ/

🧐 What does Bewunderung mean?

Die Bewunderung (noun, feminine) signifies a feeling of wonder, high esteem, and respect towards a person, an achievement, a thing, or a quality. It's a positive emotion often associated with recognition and appreciation.

You can feel Bewunderung for someone's courage (Mut), talent (Talent), intelligence (Intelligenz), beauty (Schönheit), or for an impressive piece of art (Kunstwerk) or a natural phenomenon (Naturerscheinung).

• Example: Ihre Bewunderung für den Künstler war grenzenlos. (Her admiration for the artist was boundless.)
• Example: Er blickte mit Bewunderung auf die Berglandschaft. (He looked at the mountain landscape with admiration.)

There's only this one meaning for die Bewunderung. 🚨 Be careful not to confuse it with Neid (envy), even though both can be triggered by others' achievements. Bewunderung is positive, while Neid tends to be negative.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📜 Grammar Spotlight: Die Bewunderung

The noun „Bewunderung“ is feminine. The article is therefore „die“.

Words ending in -ung are almost always feminine in German. That's a very helpful rule! 👍

💬 Example Sentences

1. Die Bewunderung des Publikums war dem Redner sicher. (The speaker was assured of the audience's admiration.)
2. Er zeigte ihr seine Bewunderung mit einem Blumenstrauß. (He showed her his admiration with a bouquet of flowers.)
3. Mit großer Bewunderung betrachtete sie das Gemälde. (She looked at the painting with great admiration.)

💡 How to Use Bewunderung

„Bewunderung“ is used to express a strong feeling of recognition and respect. It is stronger than simply 'liking' (Mögen) or 'finding something good' (Gutfinden).

• Typical Contexts: Achievements (Leistungen), skills (Fähigkeiten), character traits (Charakterzüge), art (Kunst), nature (Natur).
• Formal/Informal Language: Can be used in both contexts, but it's a rather strong word.
• Prepositions: Often used with „für“ (Bewunderung für jemanden/etwas - admiration for someone/something) or in the genitive case (die Bewunderung des Lehrers - the teacher's admiration). You can also be „voller Bewunderung“ (full of admiration) or look at something „mit Bewunderung“ (with admiration).

Comparison with similar words:

• Anerkennung (die): Similar, but often more objective and less emotional than Bewunderung. Frequently refers to specific achievements.
• Hochachtung (die): Very similar, perhaps emphasizes respect even more strongly.
• Respekt (der): A more fundamental form of esteem, not necessarily associated with awe or wonder.
• Verehrung (die): Even stronger than Bewunderung, often with a religious or idol-like character (veneration, adoration).

🧠 Mnemonics for Bewunderung

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in '-ung' are almost always feminine. So, remember the 'ung' in Bewunderung makes it die Bewunderung. Think of a queen ('ung') deserving admiration.

Meaning Mnemonic: 'Bewunderung' contains 'wunder' (wonder/miracle). When you see something WONDERful or miraculous, you feel Be-WUNDER-ung (admiration).

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words (Potential Confusion):

• Verwunderung (die): Means surprise or astonishment, not necessarily positive or linked to respect. Example: Ich äußerte meine Verwunderung über seine plötzliche Abreise. (I expressed my astonishment at his sudden departure.)

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Mathematiker so viel Bewunderung für die Null?
Weil sie nichts ist, aber alles verändern kann! 😉

(Why does the mathematician have so much admiration for the number zero?
Because it's nothing, but it can change everything!)

📜 Poem about Bewunderung

Ein Funke im Blick, ein Lächeln so warm,
Die Bewunderung schützt vor jedem Harm.
Für Mut und für Geist, für Taten so schön,
Lässt sie das Herz höher und schneller schlagend geh'n.
Ein stilles Nicken, ein anerkennend Wort,
Trägt sie Respekt von Ort zu Ort.

(A spark in the eye, a smile so warm,
Admiration protects from every harm.
For courage and spirit, for deeds so fine,
It makes the heart beat faster, truly divine.
A silent nod, a recognizing word,
It carries respect, its message heard.)

❓ Riddle

Ich habe keinen Mund, doch drück' ich Lob aus.
Ich hab' keine Hände, doch zeig' ich Applaus (im übertragenen Sinne).
Ich wachse im Herzen beim Anblick von Glanz,
Bin positiv, respektvoll, und geb' allem 'ne Chance.

Was bin ich?

(I have no mouth, yet I express praise.
I have no hands, yet I show applause (figuratively).
I grow in the heart at the sight of splendor,
I am positive, respectful, and give everything a chance.

What am I?
Solution: die Bewunderung / admiration)

Faszination Bewunderung: More Details

Word Composition

The word „Bewunderung“ consists of:

• Prefix „be-“: Often used to form verbs from nouns or adjectives, here it can indicate a strengthening or directed action.
• Stem „wunder“: Refers to something amazing, extraordinary (compare „das Wunder“ - the wonder, miracle).
• Suffix „-ung“: Used to nominalize verbs (here from „bewundern“ - to admire) and makes the noun feminine.

So, it derives directly from the verb bewundern (to admire).

Cultural Aspects

Expressing Bewunderung can vary culturally. In Germany, admiration is often shown more reservedly or through factual recognition, whereas other cultures might have more enthusiastic forms of expression.