die  Geduld

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡəˈdʊlt/

🤔 What does "die Geduld" mean?

Die Geduld is the German word for patience or forbearance. It describes the ability to wait calmly and composedly or to endure difficulties, suffering, or annoyance without complaining, getting angry, or giving up. It's the inner calm and serenity in the face of delays, challenges, or provocations.

• It's a feminine noun (hence 'die').
• It's mostly used in the singular because it describes an abstract concept. A plural form ("die Gedulden") is very uncommon and practically non-existent in modern usage.

🚨 Attention: Don't confuse Geduld with passivity. Patience can also be active, for example, when persistently working towards a goal.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Geduld

The noun "Geduld" is feminine. Here is the declension in the singular. A plural form is generally not used.

*The indefinite article is rarely used with "Geduld", except in specific contexts like "eine Engelsgeduld haben" (to have the patience of a saint/angel).

📝 Example Sentences

• Beim Angeln braucht man viel Geduld.
  (You need a lot of patience when fishing.)
• Das Geheimnis des Erfolgs liegt oft in der Geduld der Beteiligten.
  (The secret of success often lies in the patience of those involved.)
• Ich bewundere deine Geduld mit den Kindern.
  (I admire your patience with the children.)
• Das Warten erforderte Geduld.
  (The waiting required patience.)

💡 How to use "Geduld"?

"Geduld" is used in many everyday situations:

• Waiting: When waiting for something or someone (e.g., the bus, an answer). Example: "Bitte haben Sie einen Moment Geduld." (Please have a moment of patience / Please wait a moment.)
• Dealing with Difficulties: When enduring challenges, pain, or annoyance. Example: "Sie ertrug ihre Krankheit mit großer Geduld." (She bore her illness with great patience.)
• Learning and Teaching: Both teachers and learners need Geduld. Example: "Ein guter Lehrer braucht viel Geduld." (A good teacher needs a lot of patience.)
• Interpersonal Relationships: Dealing with other people, especially when they are slow, difficult, or annoying. Example: "Er erklärte es mir mit Engelsgeduld." (He explained it to me with the patience of an angel.)

Typical Collocations:

• Geduld haben (to have patience)
• Geduld aufbringen (to muster patience)
• die Geduld verlieren (to lose patience)
• jemandes Geduld strapazieren (to strain someone's patience)
• etwas mit Geduld ertragen (to bear something with patience)
• eine Engelsgeduld / eine himmlische Geduld (the patience of an angel / heavenly patience - meaning a lot of patience)

Distinction from similar terms:

• Ausdauer (endurance, stamina): Refers more to the ability to persevere physically or mentally over a long time, often involving effort. Geduld relates more to enduring waiting times or annoyance.
• Gelassenheit (calmness, serenity): Is a general state of inner peace, whereas Geduld specifically targets enduring difficulties or delays.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Mnemonic for the Article (die Geduld)

Imagine a patient woman (feminine = die) waiting calmly. She has die Geduld. The 'e' at the end of 'die' matches the typical feminine ending.

Mnemonic for the Meaning

When things get dull waiting, you need Geduld (patience). (Sounds a bit like 'get dull').

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: Although similar, synonyms are not always interchangeable. Context is key!

😂 A Little Joke

German:

Fragt der Lehrer: "Fritzchen, was ist Geduld?"
Fritzchen überlegt kurz und sagt: "Geduld ist, wenn man versucht, Wasser mit einer Gabel zu essen und dabei nicht die Nerven verliert!"

English Translation:

The teacher asks: "Fritzchen, what is patience?"
Fritzchen thinks for a moment and says: "Patience is when you try to eat water with a fork and don't lose your nerve!"

📜 Poem about Patience

German:

Die Zeit, sie schleicht, der Ärger nagt,
man hat sich oft umsonst geplagt.
Doch wer die Ruhe in sich trägt,
und still die Prüfung überlegt,
wer warten kann, ganz unverdrossen,
hat die Geduld ins Herz geschlossen.
Sie ist ein Schatz, so still und rein,
lässt dich am Ende Sieger sein.

English Translation:

Time crawls, annoyance gnaws,
One has often toiled without a cause.
But who carries calmness deep inside,
And quietly considers the trial applied,
Who can wait, cheerfully and strong,
Has embraced patience (die Geduld) all along.
It is a treasure, silent and pure,
Lets you be the victor, that's for sure.

🧩 Little Riddle

German:

Ich habe keine Hände, doch ich kann halten.
Ich habe keine Stimme, doch ich kann Ruhe walten.
Man braucht mich beim Warten, im Stau, in der Not,
Ohne mich bricht schnell aus das Chaos, das droht.

Wer bin ich?

English Translation:

I have no hands, yet I can hold.
I have no voice, yet I make calmness unfold.
You need me when waiting, in traffic, in need,
Without me, chaos quickly takes the lead.

What am I?

(Answer: die Geduld / patience)

📌 More Information

Word Composition & Origin:

The word "Geduld" comes from the Old High German word "gidult" or "gedult", meaning "enduring", "tolerating". It is related to the verb "dulden" (to tolerate, to endure). The prefix "Ge-" is often used in German to form collective or abstract nouns.

Idioms (Redewendungen):

• "Geduld ist eine Tugend." (Patience is a virtue.)
• "Mit Geduld und Spucke fängt man eine Mucke." (Literally: With patience and spit, you catch a fly. Meaning: With perseverance, you can achieve even small goals.)
• "jemandem reißt der Geduldsfaden." (Someone's thread of patience snaps. Meaning: Someone loses their patience.)