die  Doppelmoral

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈdɔplmoˌʁaːl/

🤔 What exactly does 'die Doppelmoral' mean?

Die Doppelmoral refers to the application of different moral standards to different people, groups, or situations, especially when one treats oneself or one's own group more favorably or imposes stricter rules on others than on oneself.

It describes a form of hypocrisy or sanctimoniousness where someone publicly upholds high moral standards but does not adhere to them personally or demands stricter rules for others.

• It's a compound word derived from doppel (double) and Moral (morality).
• The term carries a distinct negative connotation.

Since 'Moral' is feminine (die Moral), 'Doppelmoral' is also feminine.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Doppelmoral

The word 'Doppelmoral' is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always die.

Note: The plural 'Doppelmoralen' is rarely used, as the concept is usually described as a general phenomenon (singular).

Example Sentences

1. Die Doppelmoral in seiner Argumentation war offensichtlich. (The double standard in his reasoning was obvious.)
2. Man wirft Politikern oft Doppelmoral vor. (Politicians are often accused of double standards / hypocrisy.)
3. Sie ärgerte sich über die Doppelmoral ihrer Vorgesetzten, die Pünktlichkeit forderte, aber selbst ständig zu spät kam. (She was annoyed by her supervisor's double standard, who demanded punctuality but was constantly late herself.)
4. Gesellschaftliche Doppelmoralen können sehr subtil sein. (Societal double standards can be very subtle.)

🗣️ Usage and Context

'Die Doppelmoral' is frequently used in the context of criticizing individuals, institutions, or societal norms.

• Politics & Society: Politicians or public figures are often accused of Doppelmoral when their actions do not align with their proclaimed values.
• Private Life: Doppelmoral can also be an issue in personal relationships, e.g., when one partner claims freedoms for themselves that they do not grant the other.
• Media & Public Sphere: The term is used to highlight inconsistencies in behavior or reporting.

Distinction from similar terms:

• Heuchelei / Scheinheiligkeit (Hypocrisy/Sanctimony): Very similar and often used synonymously. Doppelmoral specifically emphasizes the application of different standards. Hypocrisy is more generally the feigning of virtues or feelings.
• Moral (Morality): Refers to the system of values and norms itself, whereas Doppelmoral describes the inconsistent application of these norms.

The term is almost always judgmental and carries negative connotations.

💡 Mnemonics for Doppelmoral

1. For the article 'die': Think of the base word: it's die Moral (morality is feminine in German). Adding 'Doppel' (double) doesn't change the gender. So it stays die Doppelmoral.
2. For the meaning: Imagine someone carrying double (doppel) sets of morals: strict ones for others, lenient ones for themselves. That's Doppelmoral – double standards.

„Double standards, not okay,
that's Doppelmoral, hip hip hooray?“ (Well, not really hooray...)

↔️ Opposites and Similarities

⚠️ Similar but different terms:

• Moral: Morality (the system of values itself)
• Ethik: Ethics (the philosophical study of morality)
• Moralischer Relativismus: Moral relativism (the view that moral judgments are relative, not absolute – different from personal inconsistency)

😂 A Little Joke

Treffen sich zwei Manager. Sagt der eine: „Ich habe meiner Sekretärin gekündigt. Sie hat mich ständig bei meiner Doppelmoral unterbrochen!“

Translation: Two managers meet. One says: "I fired my secretary. She kept interrupting my double standards!"

📜 Poem about Doppelmoral

Du predigst Wasser, edel, rein,
Doch heimlich schlürfst du selbst den Wein.
Für andre Regeln, streng und klar,
Für dich sind sie nicht anwendbar.
Zwei Maßstäbe, das ist dein Plan,
Die Doppelmoral zieht dich in Bann.
Doch auf Dauer, merk es dir,
Verliert an Glaubwürdigkeit hier.

Translation:
You preach water, noble, pure,
But secretly sip the wine, for sure.
For others rules, strict and clear,
For you, they don't apply, my dear.
Two sets of standards, that's your plan,
Die Doppelmoral holds you in its span.
But in the long run, mark my word,
Credibility becomes absurd.

🧩 Who or What Am I?

Ich habe zwei Gesichter, doch bin kein Mensch.
Ich messe mit zweierlei Maß, doch bin kein Lineal.
Ich fordere Tugend, doch übe sie selten selbst.
Man wirft mich Politikern vor und findet mich doch überall.

What am I?

Answer: Die Doppelmoral (Double standards / Hypocrisy)

✨ Other Information

Word Composition:

The word 'Doppelmoral' is a compound noun, composed of:

• doppel: adjective/adverb meaning 'double', 'twofold'.
• die Moral: feminine noun meaning 'morality', the set of ethical principles and norms of conduct considered binding by a society or group.

Cultural Context:

The accusation of Doppelmoral is a common tool in public debates and disputes. It serves to undermine the credibility of an opponent by pointing out inconsistencies between their words and actions, or between the standards they apply to others and to themselves.