die  Frauenbewegung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈfʁaʊənbəˌveːɡʊŋ/

♀️ What exactly is 'die Frauenbewegung'?

Die Frauenbewegung is the German term for the women's movement. It refers to a social and political movement advocating for the rights, equality, and improvement of the social status of women. It fights against gender-based discrimination in various areas of life such as politics, work, education, and family.

It's a compound noun made up of:

• Frauen (women, plural of Frau)
• Bewegung (movement, in the sense of a social/political current)

Die Frauenbewegung has a long history with different waves and focuses, from fighting for suffrage to contemporary debates about the gender pay gap and #MeToo.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Die Frauenbewegung

The word 'Frauenbewegung' is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always 'die'. Nouns ending in -ung in German are almost always feminine (die).

Declension (Singular):

Declension (Plural):

The plural 'die Frauenbewegungen' is used when referring to different, specific women's movements in various countries or eras.

📝 Example Sentences:

1. Die erste Welle der Frauenbewegung kämpfte für das Wahlrecht.
   (The first wave of the women's movement fought for suffrage.)
2. Die Geschichte der Frauenbewegung ist komplex und vielfältig.
   (The history of the women's movement is complex and diverse.)
3. Sie engagiert sich seit Jahren in der Frauenbewegung.
   (She has been involved in the women's movement for years.)
4. Man kann verschiedene Frauenbewegungen weltweit beobachten.
   (One can observe various women's movements worldwide.)

🌐 How to Use 'Frauenbewegung'?

The term 'die Frauenbewegung' is primarily used in social, political, and historical contexts.

• Historical Context: When discussing the history of women's rights (e.g., 'die Frauenbewegung des 19. Jahrhunderts' - the women's movement of the 19th century).
• Political Context: In discussions about current feminist issues and equality policies.
• Sociological Context: When analyzing social structures and gender relations.

Typical Collocations:

• Die erste/zweite/dritte Welle der Frauenbewegung (The first/second/third wave of the women's movement)
• Die Ziele/Errungenschaften der Frauenbewegung (The goals/achievements of the women's movement)
• Teil der Frauenbewegung sein (To be part of the women's movement)
• Die Geschichte der Frauenbewegung (The history of the women's movement)

In everyday language, the term Feminismus (feminism) is often more common, while 'Frauenbewegung' often implies a stronger historical or organizational character.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine (die). Think: The 'Bewegung' (movement) is for 'DIE Frauen' (the women). Therefore: die Frauenbewegung.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine Frauen (women) starting a Bewegung (movement) together to fight for their rights. Frauen + Bewegung = Frauenbewegung (for women's rights).

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Note: 'Frauenbewegung' is more specific than 'soziale Bewegung' (social movement) and clearly refers to gender equality.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat die Frauenbewegung so viele Schilder?
(Why does the women's movement have so many signs?)

Damit niemand übersieht, dass sie sich bewegt!
(So that no one overlooks that it's moving!)

📜 A Little Poem

Die Bewegung stark und klar,
(The movement, strong and clear,)
für Rechte, Jahr um Jahr.
(for rights, year after year.)
Frauen stehen auf, vereint,
(Women stand up, united,)
gegen Unrecht, das verneint,
(against injustice that denies,)
was ihnen zusteht, gleich und frei,
(what is theirs, equal and free,)
so zieht die Bewegung stolz vorbei.
(thus the movement proudly passes by.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich habe keinen Körper, doch ich bewege Massen.
(I have no body, yet I move masses.)
Ich kämpfe für die Hälfte, will niemanden hassen.
(I fight for half, wanting to hate no one.)
Mein Name klingt nach Damen, die gemeinsam gehen,
(My name sounds like ladies walking together,)
um für Gerechtigkeit und Gleichheit einzustehen.
(to stand up for justice and equality.)

Was bin ich? / What am I?

Lösung / Answer: die Frauenbewegung (the women's movement)

💡 Other Interesting Information

Word Composition:

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

• Frauen (women - plural of die Frau)
• Bewegung (movement - die Bewegung, in the sense of a social/political current)

Historical Waves: We often speak of different 'waves' ('Wellen') of the women's movement, which had different focuses:

• 1st Wave (approx. late 19th / early 20th c.): Focus on basic rights like suffrage, educational opportunities.
• 2nd Wave (approx. 1960s-1980s): Topics like reproductive rights, violence against women, equality in the workplace and family.
• 3rd Wave (from approx. 1990s): Diversification of feminist approaches, intersectionality (considering other forms of discrimination like racism), queer theory.
• 4th Wave (from approx. 2010s): Often associated with digital activism (#MeToo), focus on everyday sexism, intersectionality.