die  Feigheit

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈfaɪɡhaɪt/

🤔 What does 'die Feigheit' mean?

Die Feigheit is the German word for cowardice. It describes the quality or behavior of a person who shrinks back from danger, difficulties, or unpleasant situations due to excessive fear or lack of courage. It is the opposite of Mut (courage) or Tapferkeit (bravery).

It's an abstract noun that can describe a character trait or a specific action characterized by fear. The term carries a strong negative connotation.

• Trait: Lack of courage, excessive fearfulness when facing challenges.
• Behavior: The act of retreating or avoiding something due to fear.

🚨 There are no different meanings based on the article, as 'Feigheit' always takes the article 'die'.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar of 'die Feigheit' in Detail

Die Feigheit is a feminine noun. It is mostly used in the singular because it describes an abstract quality. The plural ("die Feigheiten") is rare and is used to refer to different types or specific acts of cowardice.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural - Rare

Example Sentences

• Nominative: Die Feigheit hinderte ihn daran, seine Meinung zu sagen.
  (Cowardice prevented him from speaking his mind.)
• Genitive: Er schämte sich seiner Feigheit.
  (He was ashamed of his cowardice.)
• Dative: Aus reiner Feigheit log er.
  (He lied out of pure cowardice.)
• Accusative: Man warf ihm seine Feigheit vor.
  (He was accused of cowardice.)
• Plural (rare): Solche Feigheiten kann ich nicht tolerieren.
  (I cannot tolerate such acts of cowardice.)

🗣️ How to Use 'die Feigheit'?

'Die Feigheit' is used to describe a lack of courage or determination in situations that would normally require bravery. The context is often morally charged or involves potential danger or conflict.

• Typical Contexts: Avoiding confrontation, failing to act against injustice, shrinking from risks.
• Connotation: Always negative and often derogatory. Accusing someone of Feigheit is strong criticism.
• Distinction: While Angst (fear) is an emotion, Feigheit describes the action (or inaction) based on that fear, often in a morally relevant context. Vorsicht (caution), on the other hand, is rationally justified restraint.
• Expressions: "Aus Feigheit handeln" (to act out of cowardice), "jemandem Feigheit vorwerfen" (to accuse someone of cowardice), "seine Feigheit überwinden" (to overcome one's cowardice).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Feigheit'

Article 'die'

Nouns ending in -heit in German are almost always feminine (die). Think of other abstract nouns like die Freiheit (freedom), die Gesundheit (health), die Schönheit (beauty). The '-heit' ending strongly signals 'die'.

Meaning 'Cowardice'

Think of someone who is 'feige' (cowardly). The 'Feig-' part sounds a bit like 'fake' in English – maybe implying 'fake courage' or someone who isn't genuinely brave. The 'heit' just turns the adjective 'feige' into the noun 'Feigheit' (cowardice). So, 'fake-heit' = cowardice (not etymologically correct, just a memory aid!).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for 'Feigheit'

⚠️ Caution: Do not confuse Feigheit with Vorsicht (prudence) or Zurückhaltung (restraint), which can be neutral or positive.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Schatten Angst vor dem Licht?
Aus reiner Feigheit – er traut sich nie allein raus! 😄

(Why is the shadow afraid of the light?
Out of pure cowardice – it never dares to go out alone! 😄)

📜 A Short Poem

Wo Mut verblasst und Zweifel siegt,
Die Feigheit leise Schatten wiegt.
Sie flüstert: „Kehr um, bleib steh'n!“,
Lässt Chancen ungenutzt vergeh'n.

Doch wer sich aufrafft, ihr widersteht,
Ein Funken Tapferkeit entsteht.
Die Furcht mag nagen, tief und kalt,
Doch stärker ist der inn're Halt.

(Where courage fades and doubt prevails,
Cowardice softly weighs the scales.
It whispers: "Turn back, just stay!",
Lets chances unused slip away.)

(But who stands up, resists its might,
A spark of bravery ignites.
Fear may gnaw, both deep and cold,
But inner strength is stronger, bold.)

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich bin der Schatten tapf'rer Tat,
Ich wachse schnell auf glattem Pfad.
Ich lasse dich im Stich bei Streit,
Und fliehe vor der Schwierigkeit.

Was bin ich?

(I am the shadow of a brave deed,
I grow quickly on a smooth path indeed.
I leave you in the lurch during strife,
And flee from difficulty in life.

What am I?)

Solution: die Feigheit (cowardice)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

• Word Formation: The word 'Feigheit' is derived from the adjective feige (cowardly) using the suffix -heit. This suffix is commonly used in German to form abstract feminine nouns from adjectives, describing a quality or state (e.g., schön → Schönheit [beauty], krank → Krankheit [illness]).
• Etymology: The word 'feige' has roots in Old High German ('feigi') and originally meant 'doomed to die' or 'unlucky', which later evolved to mean 'fearful' or 'cowardly'.
• Cultural Significance: Cowardice is viewed negatively in most cultures, especially in contexts involving duty, honor, or moral action.