die
Eigenverantwortung
🤔 What does 'die Eigenverantwortung' mean?
Die Eigenverantwortung describes the awareness and duty of an individual to be responsible for their own actions, decisions, and their consequences. It's the readiness to bear the outcomes of one's own actions or omissions, without primarily blaming others or external circumstances.
It is a central concept in many areas:
- Ethics & Philosophy: Basis for moral action and autonomy.
- Psychology: Important for self-efficacy and personal growth.
- Law & Politics: Foundation for legal majority, duties, and rights in a society.
- Professional Life: Expectation for employees to act proactively and independently.
Because the word ends in -ung, it's grammatically feminine (die Eigenverantwortung). There are no other articles or meanings for this specific word.
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 in Detail: Die Eigenverantwortung
The noun „Eigenverantwortung“ is feminine. It is normally only used in the singular, as it describes an abstract concept. The plural („Eigenverantwortungen“) is very rare and uncommon.
Declension Singular
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die Eigenverantwortung | eine Eigenverantwortung |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der Eigenverantwortung | einer Eigenverantwortung |
| Dative (To/For whom?) | der Eigenverantwortung | einer Eigenverantwortung |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die Eigenverantwortung | eine Eigenverantwortung |
Declension Plural
The plural is rarely used. If used, it usually refers to 'different areas/types of personal responsibility'.
| Case | Definite Article |
|---|---|
| Nominative | die Eigenverantwortungen |
| Genitive | der Eigenverantwortungen |
| Dative | den Eigenverantwortungen |
| Accusative | die Eigenverantwortungen |
📝 Example Sentences
- Die Eigenverantwortung jedes Einzelnen ist für das Funktionieren der Gesellschaft wichtig.
(The personal responsibility of each individual is important for the functioning of society.) - Er übernahm die Eigenverantwortung für seinen Fehler.
(He took personal responsibility for his mistake.) - Der Arzt appellierte an die Eigenverantwortung der Patienten im Umgang mit ihrer Gesundheit.
(The doctor appealed to the patients' personal responsibility in managing their health.) - Durch mehr Eigenverantwortung können Mitarbeiter motivierter sein.
(Through more personal responsibility, employees can be more motivated.)
💡 How is 'Eigenverantwortung' used?
„Eigenverantwortung“ is a formal term often used in sophisticated contexts. You'll frequently find it in discussions about:
- Personal Development: Setting goals, making decisions, bearing consequences.
- Social Debates: Role of the state vs. responsibility of the citizen (e.g., regarding health, provision).
- Work Environment: Degree of autonomy and responsibility of employees.
- Pedagogy: Educating children and adolescents towards independence.
Distinction from similar terms:
- Selbstständigkeit (independence): Refers more to the ability to do things without help. Eigenverantwortung includes responsibility for the results.
- Verantwortung (responsibility): Is the general term. Eigenverantwortung emphasizes that the responsibility lies with the person themself ('eigen' means 'own').
One often speaks of Eigenverantwortung übernehmen (to take), tragen (to bear), stärken (to strengthen), or an sie appellieren (to appeal to it).
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Words ending in -ung in German are feminine (feminin), just like the Verantwortung (responsibility) itself. Therefore, it's die Eigenverantwortung.
Meaning Mnemonic: Think of 'taking responsibility for your own (eigen) actions'. You are responsible for your own deeds – that's the core idea.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Selbstverantwortung: Very similar, almost interchangeable.
- Selbstbestimmung: (Self-determination) Emphasizes freedom of choice more.
- Autonomie: (Autonomy) Similar to Selbstbestimmung, often in philosophical/political context.
- Mündigkeit: (Maturity/Majority) Refers to the capacity to act responsibly (often legally).
- Eigenständigkeit: (Independence/Self-reliance) Focuses on being self-sufficient.
Antonyms (Opposites):
- Fremdbestimmung: (External determination) Decisions are made by others.
- Abhängigkeit: (Dependence) Lack of independence.
- Verantwortungslosigkeit: (Irresponsibility) Refusal to take responsibility.
- Unmündigkeit: (Minority/Immaturity) State of not (yet) being able/allowed to act responsibly.
⚠️ Caution: Not all synonyms are interchangeable in every context. The exact focus can vary.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Bleistift die Eigenverantwortung abgelehnt?
Er wollte nicht für seine Fehler geradestehen – er hatte ja einen Radiergummi!
(Why did the pencil refuse personal responsibility?
It didn't want to stand up for its mistakes – after all, it had an eraser!)
✍️ Poem about Eigenverantwortung
Die Entscheidung liegt bei dir,
für dein Handeln, hier und Stier.
Trag die Folgen, leicht und schwer,
Eigenverantwortung, bitte sehr!
Nicht auf andre schieben, nein,
steh für deine Taten ein.
Wachstum braucht den Mut zum Sein,
ganz für dich – und nicht zum Schein.
(The choice lies with you,
for your actions, here and through.
Bear the consequences, light and severe,
Personal responsibility, please adhere!)
(Don't blame others, no,
Stand up for your deeds, let it show.
Growth needs the courage to be,
Wholly for you - authentically.)
🧩 Riddle
Ich gehöre nur dir, doch jeder fordert sie.
Ich bin der Preis der Freiheit und die Last zugleich.
Man kann mich übernehmen, stärken oder fliehen,
doch ohne mich ist Mündigkeit nur ein leerer Streich.
Was bin ich? (Lösung: die Eigenverantwortung)
(I belong only to you, yet everyone demands it.
I am the price of freedom and the burden at once.
You can take me on, strengthen me, or flee from me,
but without me, maturity is just an empty stunt.)
(What am I?)
(Solution: die Eigenverantwortung / personal responsibility)
✨ Other Information
Word Composition:
The word „Eigenverantwortung“ is a compound noun, composed of:
- eigen: Adjective meaning 'own', 'personal'.
- Verantwortung: Noun derived from the verb „antworten“ (to answer, in the sense of 'being accountable'). The suffix „-ung“ makes it a feminine noun.
Together, the meaning is 'the responsibility one bears for oneself'.
Cultural Significance: In Germany and many Western cultures, Eigenverantwortung is considered a high value, closely linked to individualism and personal freedom.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Eigenverantwortung?
The word "Eigenverantwortung" is always feminine. The correct article is die. So it is always die Eigenverantwortung.