die
Gier
🤔 What does "die Gier" mean?
Die Gier translates to greed, avarice, or cupidity in English. It describes an excessive, insatiable desire or craving, especially for material possessions, power, or pleasure. It's a strong, often negatively perceived feeling of never having enough. The word is exclusively feminine in German.
- Main meaning: Immoderate, uncontrolled desire for something (e.g., Gier nach Geld 💰 - greed for money, Gier nach Macht 👑 - greed for power, Gier nach Anerkennung - greed for recognition).
⚠️ Attention: "Gier" almost always carries a strong negative connotation, implying excessiveness and selfishness.
📝 Grammar of "die Gier" in Detail
"Gier" is a feminine noun. It is mostly used in the singular because it describes an abstract concept. A plural form ("die Gieren") is very rare and typically only used in literary or elevated language to refer to different types of greed.
Declension Singular
Case | Article | Noun |
---|---|---|
Nominative (Subject) | die | Gier |
Genitive (Possessive) | der | Gier |
Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Gier |
Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Gier |
💡 Grammar Examples
- Nominative: Die Gier trieb ihn zu unüberlegten Handlungen. (Greed drove him to rash actions.)
- Genitive: Er wurde ein Opfer der Gier seiner Partner. (He became a victim of his partners' greed.)
- Dative: Er konnte der Gier nicht widerstehen. (He could not resist the greed.)
- Accusative: Man erkannte die Gier in seinen Augen. (One recognized the greed in his eyes.)
🗣️ How to use "die Gier"?
"Die Gier" is used to express a *strong, uncontrolled, and often morally reprehensible desire*. It contrasts with normal wishes or needs.
- Typical Contexts: Economics (Profitgier - profit greed), politics (Machtgier - greed for power), personal behavior (Habgier - avarice).
- Common Collocations:
- Gier nach + [Noun in Dative case]: Gier nach Geld (greed for money), Gier nach Macht (greed for power), Gier nach Ruhm (greed for fame), Gier nach Leben (greed for life, rarer, more often 'Lebensgier' - lust for life)
- Adjective + Gier: bloße Gier (mere greed), nackte Gier (naked greed), unstillbare Gier (insatiable greed)
- Distinction from similar words:
- Begierde (desire, craving): Can also be strong, but is often more neutral or even positive (e.g., Wissbegierde - desire for knowledge). Gier is more specific and negative.
- Habgier/Habsucht (avarice, covetousness): Specifically refers to greed for material possessions.
- Verlangen (desire, longing): A more general term for a wish or yearning, not necessarily negative or excessive.
Greed (Gier) is often referred to as one of the seven deadly sins.
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Gier"
For the article (die): Think of a greedy diva demanding everything – diva helps remember the feminine article die. So it's die Gier.
For the meaning (greed): "Gier" sounds a bit like the English word "gear". Someone filled with Gier always wants more gear (stuff, possessions).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "die Gier"
Synonyms (Similar meaning):
Antonyms (Opposite meaning):
- Großzügigkeit: Generosity.
- Genügsamkeit: Contentment, frugality.
- Bescheidenheit: Modesty, humility.
- Selbstlosigkeit / Altruismus: Selflessness / Altruism.
- Mäßigung: Moderation.
⚠️ Similar but different words:
- gierig (adjective): greedy. Describes a person or behavior characterized by greed (e.g., ein gieriger Blick - a greedy look).
- begierig (adjective): eager, desirous. Expresses strong desire, often more positive or neutral (e.g., begierig darauf, zu lernen - eager to learn).
😂 A Little Joke about Gier
German: Fragt der Lehrer: "Was ist schlimmer als Gier?" Antwortet Fritzchen: "Mehr Gier!"
English: The teacher asks: "What's worse than greed?" Little Fritz replies: "More greed!"
📜 Poem about Greed (Gier)
German:
Die Gier, ein Feuer, nie gestillt,
Das Herz erfasst, den Geist erfüllt.
Nach mehr und mehr sie ständig trachtet,
Was wirklich zählt, sie nicht beachtet.
Ein hohler Drang, ein leerer Schein,
Lässt dich am Ende arm allein.
English Translation:
Greed, a fire, never quenched,
Seizes the heart, the mind drenched.
For more and more, it constantly strives,
What truly counts, it ne'er contrives.
An empty urge, a hollow gleam,
Leaves you poor alone, it would seem.
🧩 Riddle
German:
Ich habe keinen Magen, doch verschlinge viel,
Besitz und Macht sind stets mein Ziel.
Ich kenne keine Grenzen, will immer mehr,
Zufriedenheit fällt mir so schwer.
Was bin ich?
English Translation:
I have no stomach, yet I devour much,
Possessions and power are always my touch.
I know no bounds, I always want more,
Contentment is something I deplore.
What am I?
Solution: die Gier (greed)
ℹ️ Other Information about "Gier"
Etymology
The word "Gier" comes from the Old High German word 'giri', which also meant "desire" or "longing". It is related to the adverb "gern" (gladly, willingly).
Cultural Significance
In many cultures and religions (e.g., in Christianity as one of the seven deadly sins, in Buddhism as a cause of suffering), Gier (greed) is considered a negative trait leading to misfortune and moral decay.
Word Compounds
Common compounds with "Gier" include Habgier (avarice), Raffgier (rapacity), Profitgier (profit greed), Machtgier (greed for power), and Neugier (curiosity - although 'Neugier' is often seen neutrally or positively). The corresponding adjective is gierig (greedy).
Summary: is it der, die or das Gier?
The noun "Gier" is always feminine. The correct article is die: die Gier.