die  Eifersucht

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaɪ̯fɐˌzʊxt/

💚 What does 'die Eifersucht' mean?

Die Eifersucht is a strong, often painful feeling arising from the fear of losing the affection or 'possession' of a loved person to another person (a rival). It can sometimes relate to envy of someone else's success, happiness, or possessions, but it's most commonly used in the context of relationships.

It is a feminine noun, so the article is always 'die'. It's typically used in the singular as it describes an abstract feeling.

🚨 Important: Eifersucht (jealousy) is not the same as Neid (envy). Neid refers to the desire for something someone else possesses (e.g., success, money, things), whereas Eifersucht typically involves a third person and focuses on the fear of loss within a relationship.

📝 Grammar & Declension of Eifersucht

Die Eifersucht is a feminine noun. It is almost exclusively used in the singular.

A plural form ('die Eifersüchte') theoretically exists but is extremely rare and usually avoided. People tend to speak of 'outbursts of jealousy' (Ausbrüche von Eifersucht) or 'feelings of jealousy' (Gefühle der Eifersucht).

Example Sentences

1. Seine Eifersucht zerstörte die Beziehung.
   (His jealousy destroyed the relationship.)
2. Aus reiner Eifersucht sprach sie schlecht über ihre Kollegin.
   (Out of pure jealousy, she spoke ill of her colleague.)
3. Sie konnte ihre Eifersucht kaum verbergen.
   (She could hardly hide her jealousy.)
4. Die krankhafte Eifersucht machte ihm das Leben schwer.
   (Pathological jealousy made his life difficult.)

💬 Using 'Eifersucht' in Context

Die Eifersucht is a common theme in personal relationships, literature, and the media.

• In relationships: Fear of losing one's partner to someone else. Example: "Ihre ständige Eifersucht belastet die Partnerschaft." (Her constant jealousy puts a strain on the partnership.)
• Among siblings: Rivalry for parental attention. Example: "Die Eifersucht des älteren Bruders auf das Baby war offensichtlich." (The older brother's jealousy of the baby was obvious.)
• At work: Jealousy of a colleague's success or recognition (often close to envy/Neid here). Example: "Man spürte die Eifersucht im Team, als sie befördert wurde." (You could feel the jealousy in the team when she was promoted.)

One often speaks of krankhafte Eifersucht (pathological jealousy) when the feeling becomes excessive and irrational. The opposite is Vertrauen (trust) and Gelassenheit (calmness, composure).

Common phrases:

• aus Eifersucht handeln (to act out of jealousy)
• von Eifersucht zerfressen sein (to be consumed by jealousy)
• blind vor Eifersucht sein (to be blind with jealousy)

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Eifersucht'

Article Mnemonic: Many German nouns ending in -sucht (like die Sucht - addiction, die Sehnsucht - longing) are feminine. Remember: She (die) is searching eagerly (eifer-sucht) for reasons to be jealous. Thus, it's die Eifersucht.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone eagerly (eifer-) searching (-sucht, related to 'search' and 'sickness/addiction') for signs that someone else is taking something (love, attention) from them. This 'eager search' is Eifersucht (jealousy).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms: Alternatives and Opposites

⚠️ Be careful: Neid (envy) and Eifersucht (jealousy) are often confused, but describe different core emotions.

😂 A Little Joke about Jealousy

German:

Fragt sie ihn: "Schatz, bist du eifersüchtig?"

Er antwortet: "Nein, wieso? Hat dir wieder jemand Komplimente gemacht, den ich verprügeln soll?"

English Translation:

She asks him: "Honey, are you jealous?"

He replies: "No, why? Did someone pay you compliments again that I should beat up?"

✒️ A Poem about the Green-Eyed Monster

German:

Ein Stich, ein Zweifel, kalte Hand,
Die Eifersucht, im Herzen Brand.
Sie flüstert Lügen, sät den Streit,
Nimmt Frieden weg und Leichtigkeit.
Ein Schatten, der die Liebe trübt,
Wenn Misstrauen das Herz ergrübt.
Drum pflege gut das Zutrau'n zart,
Sonst wird das Leben bitterhart.

English Translation:

A pang, a doubt, a hand turned cold,
Die Eifersucht (Jealousy), a fire bold.
It whispers lies, sows seeds of strife,
Steals inner peace and joyful life.
A shadow dimming love's bright art,
When deep mistrust grips fast the heart.
So tend sweet trust with gentle care,
Or life becomes too hard to bear.

❓ Riddle Time: What am I?

German:

Ich trage 'die' als Kleid,
Bin oft zu dritt, voll Leid.
Ich fürchte den Verlust,
Nähre den Argwohn, schüre Frust.
Manchmal bin ich grün vor Neid,
Doch meistens geht's um Zweisamkeit.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:

I wear 'die' as my dress,
Often involve three, bringing distress.
I fear the loss, the empty space,
Nourish suspicion, fuel disgrace.
Sometimes I'm green with envy's plight,
But mostly focus on two, holding tight.

What am I?

Solution: die Eifersucht (Jealousy)

🧐 Interesting Facts about Eifersucht

Word Composition (Etymology):

The word Eifersucht is composed of:

• Eifer: Originally, 'eiver' (Old High German) meant 'bitter, sharp, fierce'. Today it means 'zeal, eagerness, passionate striving'.
• Sucht: In Old High German, 'suht' meant 'sickness, disease'. Today it means 'addiction' or 'compulsive craving'.

Combined, 'Eifersucht' originally described a kind of 'bitter sickness' or 'fierce craving/suffering', which aptly captures the painful nature of the emotion.

Cultural Aspects:

Jealousy (Eifersucht) is a universal human emotion found across cultures, although its expression and social evaluation can vary.