die  Entrüstung

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛntˈʁʏstʊŋ/

😠 What exactly is die Entrüstung?

Die Entrüstung (feminine) describes a strong feeling of anger, outrage, or displeasure, often triggered by a perceived injustice (Ungerechtigkeit), an immoral act (unmoralische Handlung), or an insult (Kränkung). It's a vehement emotional reaction to something perceived as wrong or outrageous.

Imagine someone being treated unfairly – the feeling that washes over you is typically Entrüstung.

🚨 Attention: It's a strong emotion, usually with negative connotations.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Entrüstung

The noun Entrüstung is feminine. The article is die. Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine in German.

Declension:

Plural: The plural form (die Entrüstungen) is very rare and hardly ever used, as Entrüstung is mostly considered an uncountable general feeling or state.

Example Sentences

1. Ihre Entrüstung über die Entscheidung war groß. (Her indignation about the decision was great.)
2. Er konnte seine Entrüstung kaum verbergen. (He could hardly hide his indignation.)
3. Die Nachricht löste allgemeine Entrüstung aus. (The news caused general outrage.)

🗣️ How to Use Entrüstung?

Typical Contexts:

• Reaction to injustice, fraud, scandals (political, social, personal).
• Expression of moral outrage.
• When expectations or norms are grossly violated.

Difference from similar words:

• Ärger (Anger): Is more general and often less intense than Entrüstung. Ärger can also arise over minor things.
• Wut/Zorn (Rage/Wrath): Are often more aggressive and impulsive than Entrüstung, which tends to have a stronger moral justification.
• Empörung (Outrage): Very similar to Entrüstung, sometimes used synonymously. Empörung often emphasizes the public or collective reaction more strongly.

Common phrases are "seiner Entrüstung Luft machen" (to vent one's indignation) or "in Entrüstung geraten" (to become indignant).

🧠 Mnemonics for Entrüstung

Article Mnemonic (die): Words ending in -ung are almost always feminine, hence "die". Think of other -ung words you know: die Rechnung (bill), die Wohnung (apartment), die Entrüstung!

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone takes away your "Rüstung" (armor, protection, dignity) – they ent-rüsten you. This leaves you feeling vulnerable and triggers strong negative feelings – precisely Entrüstung about the injustice.

↔️ Opposites and Similar Terms

⚠️ Watch out: Don't confuse Entrüstung with Rüstung (armor, equipment).

😂 A Little Joke

Warum war der Mathematiker voller Entrüstung?
Weil jemand behauptet hat, Pi sei genau 3! Das ist ja wohl eine rationale Beleidigung!

(Why was the mathematician full of indignation?
Because someone claimed Pi was exactly 3! That's a rational insult!)

📜 A Poem about Entrüstung

Ein Funke nur, ein falsches Wort,
Ein Unrecht klar an diesem Ort.
Da steigt sie auf, so heiß und wild,
Die Entrüstung, ein Zornesbild.
Das Herz pocht schnell, die Faust geballt,
Weil Fairness hier den Wert verhallt.

(Just a spark, a single wrong word,
A clear injustice at this place occurred.
It rises up, so hot and wild,
The indignation, anger's child.
The heart beats fast, the fist clenched tight,
Because fairness here has lost its light.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin ein Gefühl, stark und heiß,
Geboren aus Unrecht und falschem Preis.
Ich zeige mich, wenn Moral man bricht,
Und bringe Zorn oft ans Tageslicht.

Was bin ich?

(I am a feeling, strong and hot,
Born from injustice and a wrongful lot.
I show myself when morals break,
And often bring forth wrath and ache.

What am I?)

Solution: die Entrüstung

🌐 Further Details

Word Formation:

The word Entrüstung is composed of:

• The prefix ent-: often meaning 'away', 'remove', or a reversal.
• The stem of Rüstung: originally 'equipment', 'preparedness'.

The meaning evolved from a more literal sense of 'disarming' or 'unsettling' to a strong emotional state.

Related Verb: sich entrüsten (reflexive) - to express indignation, to be outraged.