die
Bürde
🏋️♀️ What exactly is a Bürde?
Die Bürde (noun, feminine) primarily refers to a heavy load that someone has to carry. This can be meant both literally (something physical that is heavy to carry, although die Last is more common here) and figuratively. In the figurative sense, it refers to:
- A psychological or emotional strain (e.g., worries, grief, guilt).
- A difficult task or responsibility that is perceived as oppressive (e.g., a high obligation, a difficult decision).
- A financial burden (e.g., high debts).
The word often has a negative connotation and emphasizes the feeling of being oppressed or overwhelmed. ⚠️ Attention: Although it can literally mean "load", it is almost exclusively used in the figurative sense today.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
🧐 Grammar: Die Bürde in Detail
The noun "Bürde" is feminine. The article is die.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Bürde |
| Genitive | der | Bürde |
| Dative | der | Bürde |
| Accusative | die | Bürde |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Bürden |
| Genitive | der | Bürden |
| Dative | den | Bürden |
| Accusative | die | Bürden |
📝 Example Sentences
- Das Geheimnis wurde für ihn zu einer schweren Bürde.
(The secret became a heavy burden for him.) - Sie trug die Bürde der Verantwortung für ihre Familie allein.
(She carried the burden of responsibility for her family alone.) - Er empfand die hohen Erwartungen als eine erdrückende Bürde.
(He perceived the high expectations as an oppressive burden.) - Die Schulden waren eine ständige Bürde für das junge Paar.
(The debts were a constant burden for the young couple.)
💡 How to use "die Bürde"?
"Die Bürde" is mostly used in contexts that emphasize heaviness, load, and responsibility. It is a rather elevated or at least consciously chosen word to express the intensity of a strain.
- Emotional/Psychological Load: "Die Bürde der Vergangenheit lastete schwer auf ihr." (The burden of the past weighed heavily on her.)
- Responsibility/Duty: "Er betrachtete das Amt nicht als Ehre, sondern als Bürde." (He regarded the office not as an honor, but as a burden.)
- Figurative Heaviness: One often speaks of "eine Bürde zu tragen" (to carry a burden), "jemandem eine Bürde aufzuerlegen" (to impose a burden on someone), or "jemanden von einer Bürde zu befreien" (to free someone from a burden).
Distinction from die Last: While "die Last" can be used both literally (a heavy sack) and figuratively (a financial load), "die Bürde" is almost exclusively focused on the figurative, often emotionally or morally perceived strain. "Bürde" often sounds more serious and personal than "Last".
🧠 Mnemonics for Bürde
- Article Mnemonic (die): Think of a queen (die Königin) who has to carry a heavy crown (her Bürde). She groans: "Oh, die burden of the crown!" Feminine rulers, feminine article. Or, think: A burd*en* feels heavy like the *end* (sounds like -de) of something good, and things that end often make you *die* a little inside -> use *die*. (A bit morbid, but maybe memorable!)
- Meaning Mnemonic: "Bürde" sounds a bit like the English word "burden". Imagine someone carrying a heavy bird (a big one!) on their shoulder - that's quite a bird-en, a Bürde!
"This Bürde is a burden, that's for certain!"
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms for Bürde
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Die Last: Very similar, but can also be physical. (Load, burden)
- Die Belastung: More general term for something demanding or stressful. (Strain, burden)
- Die Verantwortung: Emphasizes the aspect of duty. (Responsibility)
- Die Pflicht: More of a task that must be fulfilled, not necessarily negative. (Duty, obligation)
- Das Joch: Strong image for oppression or heavy load. (Yoke)
- Der Ballast: Often unnecessary load one wants to get rid of. (Ballast, dead weight)
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Die Erleichterung: The feeling after a burden is removed. (Relief)
- Die Entlastung: The act of removing a burden. (Relief, discharge)
- Die Freude: Positive feeling, opposite of oppression. (Joy)
- Der Segen: Something positive, bringing happiness. (Blessing)
- Die Hilfe / Unterstützung: Means to reduce a burden. (Help / Support)
⚠️ Similar sounding words: Do not confuse with "die Hürde" (a hurdle, obstacle).
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der eine Stein den anderen: "Was ist deine größte Bürde?"
Antwortet der andere Stein: "Dass ich nicht rollen kann, wenn Moos auf mir wächst!"
(One stone asks the other: "What's your biggest burden?"
The other stone answers: "That I can't roll when moss grows on me!")
📜 Poem about the Bürde
Die Bürde, schwer auf Schultern liegt,
Ein Schatten, der den Tag besiegt.
Mal ist sie Sorge, mal ist's Pflicht,
Ein stummer Schrei im Angesicht.
Doch wer sie trägt mit stillem Mut,
Find't oft am Ende doch das Gut.
(The burden, heavy on shoulders lies,
A shadow that conquers the day.
Sometimes it's worry, sometimes duty's price,
A silent scream in the face's display.
But who carries it with quiet courage bright,
Often finds goodness at the end of the fight.)
🧩 Little Riddle
Ich habe kein Gewicht, doch drücke schwer.
Man trägt mich im Herzen, oft sehr.
Man wünscht mich fort, will mich nicht seh'n,
Doch oft muss man mit mir geh'n.
Was bin ich?
(I have no weight, yet I press heavily.
I'm carried in the heart, often severely.
People wish me away, don't want to see me,
Yet often they must walk with me.)
What am I?
Solution: Die Bürde (The burden)
ℹ️ Other Interesting Info
Word Origin (Etymology): The word "Bürde" comes from the Old High German "burdi", meaning "that which is carried" or "birth". The connection to load developed through the idea of what one has to carry (like a mother carries a child). The modern meaning as a (figurative) load has been documented since Middle High German.
Related Terms:
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Bürde?
The word "Bürde" is feminine, so the correct article is die. It refers to a (usually figurative) heavy load, strain, or responsibility.