die
Fürsorge
💖 What does Fürsorge mean?
Die Fürsorge generally describes caring for someone's well-being – whether emotionally, physically, or materially. It encompasses both personal affection and organized help through institutions.
- Personal Fürsorge: This refers to the loving care for people close to you, like children, sick relatives, or friends. It's about attention, compassion, and support in daily life.
- Public/State Fürsorge: This refers to social security systems and institutions that offer support to people in need (e.g., Sozialhilfe - social welfare, Jugendamt - youth welfare office). It ensures that basic needs are met.
The word often emphasizes active, responsible caring.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
📚 Grammar Compass for Fürsorge
Die Fürsorge is a feminine noun. It is mostly used in the singular, as it often describes an abstract concept. The plural ("die Fürsorgen") is rare and usually refers to specific welfare services or institutions.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Fürsorge |
| Genitive | der | Fürsorge |
| Dative | der | Fürsorge |
| Accusative | die | Fürsorge |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Fürsorgen |
| Genitive | der | Fürsorgen |
| Dative | den | Fürsorgen |
| Accusative | die | Fürsorgen |
Example Sentences
- Die Mutter widmete ihren Kindern all ihre Fürsorge.
(The mother dedicated all her care to her children.) - Die staatliche Fürsorge unterstützt Familien in Notlagen.
(State welfare supports families in emergency situations.) - Ohne die liebevolle Fürsorge der Nachbarn hätte er es nicht geschafft.
(Without the loving care of the neighbors, he wouldn't have made it.) - Er übernahm die Fürsorge für seine alten Eltern.
(He took over the care for his elderly parents.)
🗣️ How to use Fürsorge?
Die Fürsorge is used in various contexts:
- In the personal sphere: When talking about nursing and caring for family members, friends, or pets. Example: "Ihre aufopferungsvolle Fürsorge war bewundernswert." (Her self-sacrificing care was admirable.)
- In the social/public sphere: When referring to social services, welfare, or legal guardianship. Example: "Er steht unter der Fürsorge des Jugendamtes." (He is under the care of the youth welfare office.)
- In a medical context: In the sense of nursing and patient care. Example: "Die Krankenschwester zeigte große Fürsorge." (The nurse showed great care.)
Distinction from similar words:
- Sorge: Can also mean worry or anxiety (e.g., "Ich mache mir Sorgen." - I am worried.). Fürsorge is always positive and actively focused on the well-being of others.
- Pflege: Refers more strongly to physical care and support, especially in case of illness or neediness. Fürsorge can be broader and also include emotional aspects.
- Betreuung: Similar to Fürsorge, often used in the context of childcare (Kinderbetreuung) or the care of people with disabilities. Can sometimes be slightly less emotionally charged than Fürsorge.
💡 Memory Aids for Fürsorge
Article Mnemonic: DIE LIEbevolle FürsorgE – Imagine 'die' is the start of 'dear', showing loving care, which is feminine in German. The -e ending is also common for feminine nouns.
Meaning Mnemonic: Think "Caring FOR someone leads to SORrow if neglected." -> FÜR-SORGE. Or simply break it down: für (for) + Sorge (care/worry) = caring for someone.
↔️ Opposites & Alternatives
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Betreuung: (Supervision, care) Often for organized care (children, elderly).
- Obhut: (Custody, care) Protection and supervision.
- Zuwendung: (Attention, affection) Emotional support, attention.
- Pflege: (Nursing, care) Physical care and assistance.
- Wohlfahrt: (Welfare) Organized help for the needy.
- Anteilnahme: (Sympathy, compassion) Showing empathy.
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Vernachlässigung: (Neglect) The opposite of caring.
- Gleichgültigkeit: (Indifference) Lack of interest in others' well-being.
- Härte: (Hardness, severity) Lack of compassion.
- Lieblosigkeit: (Lack of affection) Absence of loving care.
⚠️ Caution: Although similar, words like Pflege or Betreuung often have more specific connotations than the broader term Fürsorge.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Arzt den Patienten: "Haben Sie eigentlich einen Organspendeausweis?"
Sagt der Patient: "Wozu? Nach jahrelanger Fürsorge durch meine Frau sind meine Organe doch sicher völlig aufgebraucht!"
Translation:
The doctor asks the patient: "Do you actually have an organ donor card?"
The patient says: "What for? After years of care ('Fürsorge') from my wife, my organs must surely be completely worn out!"
📜 A Poem about Fürsorge
Ein leises Wort, eine Hand, die hält,
Fürsorge ist, was wirklich zählt.
Sie wärmt das Herz, vertreibt die Not,
Ist Anker fest im Lebensboot.
Ob klein, ob groß, ob alt, ob jung,
Sie gibt dem Dasein neuen Schwung.
Translation:
A quiet word, a hand that holds,
Care is what truly matters.
It warms the heart, dispels hardship,
Is a firm anchor in the boat of life.
Whether small or large, old or young,
It gives existence new momentum.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin nicht käuflich, doch wertvoll sehr,
Ich helfe anderen, bitte sehr.
Man gibt mich gern, braucht's jemand schlecht,
Ich bin des Kümmerns gutes Recht.
Was bin ich?
Translation:
I cannot be bought, yet I'm very valuable,
I help others, you're very welcome.
I'm gladly given when someone's in need,
I am the good right of caring indeed.
What am I?
Solution: die Fürsorge (care)
🧐 More Tidbits
Word Composition: The word "Fürsorge" is composed of the preposition "für" (for) and the noun "Sorge" (care, worry). It literally means "care for (someone/something)".
Historical Context: The term gained particular importance during Pietism and later in the course of the development of the welfare state (Sozialstaat). It describes an ethical and societal obligation.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Fürsorge?
The German word Fürsorge is feminine. The correct article is die. So, you say: die Fürsorge.