die  Courage

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/kuˈʁaːʒə/

💖 What does "die Courage" actually mean?

Die Courage (noun, feminine) describes the inner strength, fearlessness, or bravery to face a difficult, dangerous, or painful situation. It's the willingness to act despite fear.

It's a loanword from French (courage).

There's only this one article: die Courage. The word is mostly used in the singular.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of Courage: A Closer Look

The word "Courage" is a feminine noun and is generally only used in the singular, as it describes an abstract quality. It is declined as follows:

A plural form ("die Couragen") is very uncommon and practically never used.

Example Sentences:

• Sie bewies große Courage, als sie dem Redner widersprach.
  (She showed great courage when she contradicted the speaker.)
• Es braucht Courage, um für seine Überzeugungen einzustehen.
  (It takes courage to stand up for one's convictions.)
• Seine Courage in der Notlage war bewundernswert.
  (His courage in the emergency was admirable.)

💡 When and How to Use "Courage"

"Courage" is often used to describe a conscious, often morally motivated bravery that goes beyond simple *Mut* (courage, bravery). It often sounds a bit more formal or elevated than the everyday word *Mut*.

• Zivilcourage: A very common context is Zivilcourage, which means the courage to intervene in everyday situations involving injustice or danger.
• Moral Courage: It describes the willingness to follow ethical principles, even if it brings disadvantages.
• Distinction from "Mut": While *Mut* is often more spontaneous and general (e.g., having the *Mut* to ride a roller coaster), *Courage* more often implies a considered decision in the face of resistance or danger.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Courage"

Article Mnemonic: Think of a courageous woman – die Frau hat Courage. The "e" at the end hints at "die". Or imagine: The Queen 👑 needs a lot of courage, and Queen is feminine in German (*die Königin*), matching *die Courage*.

Meaning Mnemonic: "Courage" sounds like the French word for heart (*cœur*). Someone with *Courage* has "heart" and dares to do things!

🔄 Similar and Opposite Words

⚠️ Be careful: Don't confuse *Courage* with *Kur* (medical treatment) or words that sound similar but have completely different meanings.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum braucht ein Geist keine Courage?
(Why doesn't a ghost need courage?)

Weil er schon durchsichtig ist und sich vor nichts verstecken muss!
(Because he's already transparent and doesn't need to hide from anything!)

📜 A Poem about Courage

Die Angst, sie lauert, dunkel, kalt,
(Fear lurks, dark and cold,)
Doch in der Brust ein Funke wallt.
(But in the chest, a spark unfolds.)
Die Courage, sie erhebt die Stimme,
(Courage, it raises its voice,)
Treibt vorwärts, über jede Klippe.
(Drives forward, over every choice [lit: cliff].)
Ein leises Wort, ein fester Stand,
(A quiet word, a firm stand,)
Geführt von mutiger Hand.
(Led by a courageous hand.)
Sie zeigt sich nicht im lauten Schrei,
(It doesn't show itself in a loud cry,)
Doch macht das Herz und Denken frei.
(But sets the heart and mind free on high.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin nicht sichtbar, doch sehr stark.
(I am not visible, yet very strong.)
Ich helfe dir, wenn's brenzlig ward.
(I help you when things get tricky/dicey.)
Ich wohne im Herzen, nicht im Magen,
(I live in the heart, not in the stomach,)
Man braucht mich, um etwas zu wagen.
(You need me to dare something.)
Französisch klingt mein Name fein,
(My name sounds French and fine,)
wer bin ich wohl? Fällt's dir schon ein?
(Who am I? Have you guessed the line?)

Solution: die Courage

✨ Other Interesting Info

Etymology: The word *Courage* comes directly from the French word courage, which in turn goes back to the Latin cor (heart). So, it originally meant something like "heartiness" or "having heart".

Zivilcourage: An important concept in German (*Zivilcourage*), referring to the courage to stand up for moral values in public, even if it might lead to personal disadvantages. It translates roughly to civil courage or moral courage in public situations.