die  Geheimniskrämerei

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡəˈhaɪ̯mnɪsˌkrɛːməʁaɪ̯/

🤫 What's Behind Geheimniskrämerei?

Die Geheimniskrämerei (feminine noun) describes an exaggerated, often unnecessary or petty behavior where someone makes a secret out of things that don't really need to be kept secret. It implies a certain self-importance or lack of trust.

It's a behavior often perceived as annoying or suspicious. You make 'much ado about nothing' (viel Getue um nichts) regarding something perhaps not very significant.

⚠️ Heads up: The word has a negative connotation.

Article rules for der, die, and das

💬 Grammar Decoded: Die Geheimniskrämerei

The word 'Geheimniskrämerei' is a feminine noun. The article is die. It is mostly used in the singular as it describes an abstract concept. A plural form ('die Geheimniskrämereien') is rare and refers to multiple individual acts of secretiveness.

Declension (Singular)

Example Sentences

• Seine ständige Geheimniskrämerei geht mir auf die Nerven. (His constant secretiveness gets on my nerves.)
• Warum diese unnötige Geheimniskrämerei? Sag doch einfach, was los ist! (Why this unnecessary secretiveness? Just say what's going on!)
• Die Geheimniskrämerei um das neue Projekt schürt nur Gerüchte. (The secretiveness surrounding the new project only fuels rumors.)

🗣️ Everyday Usage

Die Geheimniskrämerei is used to criticize behavior where someone is unnecessarily secretive or withholds information. It's often applied in social or professional contexts.

Typical situations:

• When colleagues withhold information about a joint project.
• When friends or family members drop hints but say nothing concrete.
• When organizations or authorities act intransparently.

It differs from legitimate secrecy (e.g., trade secrets - Betriebsgeheimnisse), as it's often perceived as groundless or exaggerated.

💡 Memory Aids for Geheimniskrämerei

Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in -ei are almost always feminine (die). Think of die Polizei (police), die Bäckerei (bakery)... and also die Geheimniskrämerei.

Meaning Mnemonic: A 'Krämer' is a (often petty) shopkeeper or peddler. Imagine someone 'peddling' ('krämert') secrets ('Geheimnisse') like small, unimportant goods – that's petty, unnecessary Geheimniskrämerei.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Be careful with 'Diskretion': This means discretion or confidentiality when appropriate and has a positive connotation – unlike the negatively connoted 'Geheimniskrämerei'.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef: "Warum diese Geheimniskrämerei um Ihre Abwesenheit gestern?"
Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "Ich wollte nicht, dass jeder weiß, wie gut ich mich ohne Arbeit erholen kann!"

(Boss asks: "Why all the secretiveness about your absence yesterday?"
Employee replies: "I didn't want everyone to know how well I can relax without work!")

📜 Poem about Geheimniskrämerei

Ein Flüstern hier, ein Nicken dort,
(A whisper here, a nod over there,)
man ahnt es schon, das böse Wort.
(one senses it already, the wicked word.)
Ein Schleier liegt auf dem Geschehn,
(A veil lies over what's occurring,)
man kann die Wahrheit nicht mehr sehn.
(one can no longer see the truth.)
Statt Klarheit nur ein vages Spiel,
(Instead of clarity, just a vague game,)
die Geheimniskrämerei hat selten Stil.
(secretiveness rarely has style.)

❓ Riddle

Ich mache aus Mücken Elefanten klein,
(I make small elephants out of gnats,)
und hülle Nichtigkeiten in Schweigen ein.
(and wrap trivialities in silence.)
Ich nerve oft, schaff' Misstrauens Glut,
(I often annoy, create the embers of mistrust,)
bin selten ehrlich, niemals gut.
(am seldom honest, never good.)

Was bin ich? / What am I?→ Die Geheimniskrämerei

🧩 Word Components

The word 'Geheimniskrämerei' is a compound noun with a suffix:

• Geheimnis: Secret; something hidden, not generally known.
• Krämer: Originally a small shopkeeper or peddler, often with the connotation of pettiness.
• -ei: A suffix often denoting an activity or a place (here, an activity), and frequently carrying a negative or pejorative meaning (like in Heuchelei - hypocrisy, Angeberei - showing off).

Together, this creates the meaning of a petty, unnecessary activity of making secrets.