die  Güte

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈɡyːtə/

💖 What does "die Güte" mean?

The word die Güte is a feminine noun in German and has two main meanings:

1. Human quality: Kindness, benevolence, goodness, leniency. It describes a positive, well-meaning attitude towards others.

   Example: Ihre Güte gegenüber den Bedürftigen war bewundernswert. (Her kindness towards the needy was admirable.)

2. Quality or grade: High value, good quality, excellence, often used in the context of goods, products, or even abstract things like an assessment.

   Example: Die Güte des Weines war unbestritten. (The quality of the wine was undisputed.)

⚠️ It's important to consider the context to understand the correct meaning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: die Güte

The noun die Güte is feminine. It is frequently used in the singular, especially when referring to kindness. The plural form "die Güten" exists but is less common, usually referring to different types of quality or grades.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

(Note: The plural is less common, especially for the meaning "kindness")

Example Sentences

• Nominative: Die Güte dieses Menschen ist unermesslich. (The kindness of this person is immeasurable.)
• Genitive: Wir erfreuten uns der Güte des Essens. (We enjoyed the quality of the food.)
• Dative: Ich vertraue der Güte ihres Herzens. (I trust the goodness of her heart.)
• Accusative: Man schätzt die Güte dieses Materials sehr. (People highly value the quality of this material.)
• Plural (rare): Man unterscheidet verschiedene Güten von Stahl. (Different grades/qualities of steel are distinguished.)

🗣️ How to use "die Güte"?

The usage of die Güte strongly depends on its meaning:

• As kindness/benevolence: Often used in a slightly more elevated or formal context than the everyday word Freundlichkeit (friendliness). It can also describe a deeper character trait.
  • Typical expressions: "die Güte haben, etwas zu tun" (to be so kind as to do something), "jemandes Güte ausnutzen" (to take advantage of someone's kindness).
  • Interjection: "Ach du meine Güte!" (Oh my goodness! / Good heavens! - expressing surprise or dismay).
• As quality/grade: Refers to the value or high standard of products, materials, or services. Here, it's more of a technical or commercial term.
  • Typical expressions: "von erster Güte sein" (to be top quality / first-rate), "die Güte prüfen" (to check the quality), "Güteklasse A" (quality grade A).

Confusion is rare as the context usually makes the meaning clear. Don't confuse it with das Gut (asset, commodity, estate).

🧠 Memory Aids for "die Güte"

1. Article Mnemonic: Think of *Quality* - which often feels like a feminine concept ('die Qualität' is also feminine in German). High *Quality* is a type of *Güte*. Or imagine a kind *Queen* (feminine) showing *Güte* (kindness).

   Die (the) Queen shows Güte (goodness).

2. Meaning Mnemonic: Think of the English adjective "good". Güte is the noun form – the state or quality of being good (either in character or in terms of quality).

   Being good shows in Güte. Good wares have Güte.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but Different Words

• Das Gut: Refers to *an asset, goods, property, or an estate* (e.g., a manor). Masculine or neuter, not feminine like die Güte.
• Gültig: Adjective meaning *valid* or *accepted* (e.g., ein gültiges Ticket - a valid ticket).

😂 A Little Joke

Lehrer: "Fritzchen, kannst du mir ein Beispiel für Güte nennen?"
Fritzchen: "Ja, Herr Lehrer. Wenn Papa sagt: 'Ach du meine Güte, schon wieder eine Sechs in Mathe!', dann zeigt er viel Güte, weil er mich nicht gleich bestraft."

Teacher: "Fritzchen, can you give me an example of kindness (Güte)?"
Fritzchen: "Yes, teacher. When Dad says: 'Oh my goodness (Ach du meine Güte), another F in Math!', he shows a lot of kindness because he doesn't punish me right away."

📜 Poem about Güte

Die Güte strahlt, ein sanftes Licht,
Erwärmt das Herz, verzieht kein G'sicht.
Sie wohnt in Taten, klein und groß,
Macht leichter uns das Erdenlos.

Auch Waren tragen stolz ihr Siegel,
Die Güte bürgt, bricht jeden Riegel.
Ob Menschlichkeit, ob Qualität,
Die Güte ist's, was stets besteht.

Kindness shines, a gentle light,
Warms the heart, makes faces bright.
It dwells in actions, small and grand,
Makes easier life's path through land.

Goods also proudly bear its seal,
Quality vouches, makes things real.
Be it humanity or grade,
Goodness is what will not fade.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich bin weiblich und doch oft ein Maß,
Ich zeige Herz und biete Trost und Spaß.
Man prüft mich bei Stahl, bei Wein, bei Stoff,
Doch wohne auch im Herzen, voller Hoff'.

Was bin ich?

I'm feminine, and yet often a measure,
I show heart and offer comfort and pleasure.
I'm tested in steel, in wine, in cloth,
But also live in the heart, banishing wrath.

What am I?

Solution: die Güte (kindness / quality)

✨ More Information

• Word Compounds: Güte is found in words like Güteklasse (quality grade), Gütezeichen (quality seal/mark), Gütegemeinschaft (quality control association), Menschengüte (human kindness), Herzensgüte (kindness of heart).
• Origin: The word "Güte" derives from the Old High German word "guotī", which also meant "goodness, virtue, possession" and is related to the adjective "gut" (good).
• Expression: "Von besonderer Güte" means *of particularly high quality*.
• Interjection: The exclamation "Ach du meine Güte!" is very common and expresses *surprise, dismay, or astonishment* (like "Oh my goodness!" or "Good heavens!").