die
Diffamierung
🧐 What does "die Diffamierung" mean?
Die Diffamierung is the German word for defamation, slander, or libel. It refers to the act of damaging someone's reputation or honour by making derogatory statements, especially by spreading false information intended to make the person or group seem contemptible in public opinion.
Essentially, it's about running someone down and undermining their standing. ⚠️ Be aware: Diffamierung can have legal consequences in Germany (see § 187 StGB - Verleumdung/Calumny).
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 Insights: Die Diffamierung
The word "Diffamierung" is a feminine noun. Therefore, the correct article is die. Like most German nouns ending in -ung, it's feminine.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Diffamierung |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Diffamierung |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Diffamierung |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Diffamierung |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Diffamierungen |
| Genitive | der | Diffamierungen |
| Dative | den | Diffamierungen |
| Accusative | die | Diffamierungen |
📝 Example Sentences:
- Die Diffamierung in den sozialen Medien nahm überhand.
(The defamation on social media got out of hand.) - Er wehrte sich gerichtlich gegen die Diffamierung durch die Presse.
(He defended himself in court against the defamation by the press.) - Man muss zwischen Kritik und Diffamierung unterscheiden.
(One must distinguish between criticism and defamation.) - Die wiederholten Diffamierungen haben seinen Ruf nachhaltig geschädigt.
(The repeated defamations have permanently damaged his reputation.)
🗣️ How is "Diffamierung" used?
The term Diffamierung is primarily used in formal contexts, especially in legal matters, media reporting, and political discussions. It describes a serious form of attack on someone's honour.
- Legal Context: In criminal law (§ 187 StGB Verleumdung - calumny/slander) and civil law (claims for injunction and damages).
- Media Context: Related to reporting, online comments (Cybermobbing - cyberbullying), and public opinion shaping.
- Political Context: Often used during election campaigns or political disputes to disparage opponents.
Distinguishing from similar terms:
- Beleidigung (§ 185 StGB): Insult – expressing disrespect or disregard (often a value judgment, not a factual claim). Example: "Du Idiot!" (You idiot!)
- Üble Nachrede (§ 186 StGB): Malicious gossip/Defamation – asserting and spreading a defamatory fact that is not demonstrably true. The speaker doesn't necessarily know it's false, but cannot prove it's true.
- Verleumdung (§ 187 StGB): Calumny/Slander – asserting and spreading a defamatory fact while knowing it is untrue. The perpetrator knows the statement is false. Diffamierung is often used synonymously with Verleumdung or as a general term for attacks on honour.
🧠 Mnemonics for Diffamierung
Article Mnemonic: Remember the -ung ending rule: nouns ending in "-ung" are almost always feminine in German. Like die Meinung (opinion), die Hoffnung (hope), die Lösung (solution)... and therefore, die Diffamierung.
Meaning Mnemonic: "Diffamierung" sounds very similar to the English word "defamation". Imagine someone trying to damage the fame (Latin: fama = reputation) of a person – that's Diffamierung.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Verleumdung: Calumny, slander (often used synonymously, emphasizes knowing falsity).
- Rufmord: Character assassination (strong term for destroying reputation).
- Üble Nachrede: Malicious gossip, defamation (spreading unprovable defamatory facts).
- Herabsetzung / Herabwürdigung: Disparagement, denigration (more general terms for lowering esteem).
- Anschwärzung: Denigration, malicious informing (making someone look bad to others).
- Diskreditierung: Discrediting (specifically undermining credibility).
Antonyms (Opposites):
- Lob: Praise.
- Anerkennung: Recognition, acknowledgement.
- Ehrung: Honour, tribute.
- Richtigstellung: Correction, retraction.
- Verteidigung: Defense.
- Rehabilitierung: Rehabilitation (of reputation).
🚨 Beware of Confusion: Not every criticism or negative statement constitutes Diffamierung. Objective criticism or true factual statements (even if negative) generally don't qualify, unless expressed in an insulting manner (Schmähkritik - abusive criticism).
😂 A Little Joke
Richter: "Warum haben Sie Ihren Nachbarn als Rhinozeros bezeichnet?"
Angeklagter: "Herr Richter, bei der Dickhäutigkeit dachte ich, das wäre ein Kompliment für seine Widerstandsfähigkeit gegen Diffamierungen!"
Judge: "Why did you call your neighbour a rhinoceros?"
Defendant: "Your Honour, considering his thick skin, I thought it was a compliment on his resilience against defamation!"
📜 Poem about Diffamierung
Ein Wort, geschleudert, kalt und spitz,
Ein falscher Funke, dunkler Witz.
Die Ehre trifft's, der gute Ruf,
Was Wahrheit war, wird jäh zum Hohn geruf'.
Die Diffamierung, leise, laut,
Hat manchen Namen schon versaut.
Drum wäg die Worte, sei bedacht,
Bevor ein Ruf in Scherben kracht.
A word, flung out, both sharp and cold,
A false spark struck, a story told.
It hits the honour, reputation's plea,
What once was truth, now mockery.
Defamation, whispered, shouted loud,
Has ruined many names within the crowd.
So weigh your words, be thoughtful, keen,
Before a reputation shatters on the scene.
🧩 Little Riddle
Ich bin kein Schwert, doch kann tief verletzen.
Ich bin kein Dieb, doch kann Ansehen entwenden.
Ich nutze Lügen, um zu hetzen,
Und kann Karrieren jäh beenden.
Was bin ich?
... Die Diffamierung
I am no sword, yet I can deeply wound.
I am no thief, yet reputation I can steal.
I use untruths, on which bad feelings ground,
And sudden career ends I can reveal.
What am I?
... Defamation (Die Diffamierung)
ℹ️ Additional Information
- Etymology: The word comes from the Latin verb diffāmāre, meaning "to spread a bad report about" (from dis- 'apart, badly' + fāma 'fame, report, reputation').
- Legal Relevance: In Germany, Verleumdung (calumny/slander), a form of Diffamierung, is a criminal offense under Section 187 of the German Criminal Code (StGB). Related offenses include üble Nachrede (§ 186 StGB - malicious gossip/defamation) and Beleidigung (§ 185 StGB - insult).
- Digital Defamation: In the age of the internet and social media, Diffamierung (often termed Cybermobbing or Hatespeech) has gained a new dimension due to the rapid spread of false information online.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Diffamierung?
The noun Diffamierung is feminine. The correct article is die (die Diffamierung). It means defamation or slander, referring to the act of damaging someone's reputation through derogatory and often false statements.