die
Häme
😈 What exactly is "die Häme"?
Die Häme (feminine noun, mostly used in singular) describes a malicious joy or gloating satisfaction about the misfortune, mistake, or suffering of another person. It's more than just Schadenfreude (joy at someone's misfortune); Häme often includes a contemptuous or scornful undertone and the desire to see the other person suffer or to verbally belittle them.
It represents a strongly negative feeling or expression aimed at hurting someone or mocking their misfortune. 🚨 Attention: Expressing Häme is perceived as very unpleasant and hurtful.
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 of Häme: A Closer Look
The noun "Häme" is feminine and almost exclusively used in the singular. A plural form ("die Hämen") is extremely rare and uncommon.
Declension (Singular)
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Nom.) | die | Häme |
| Accusative (Acc.) | die | Häme |
| Dative (Dat.) | der | Häme |
| Genitive (Gen.) | der | Häme |
Example Sentences
- Seine Stimme triefte vor Häme, als er vom Scheitern seines Konkurrenten erzählte. (His voice was dripping with malice/spite when he talked about his competitor's failure.)
- Man konnte die pure Häme in ihren Augen sehen. (You could see the pure malice/spite in her eyes.)
- Er musste sich die Häme seiner Kollegen anhören, nachdem sein Vorschlag abgelehnt wurde. (He had to listen to the spiteful comments of his colleagues after his proposal was rejected.)
- Lass dich nicht von ihrer Häme provozieren. (Don't let her malice/spite provoke you.)
💬 How to use "die Häme"?
"Häme" is used to express a malicious, often openly displayed joy at the misfortune of others. It is stronger and more negative than mere Schadenfreude, which can also be felt silently and without ill intent.
- Typical contexts: Defeats of rivals, mishaps of people one dislikes, public humiliations.
- Expressions: Often used with verbs like triefen (to drip), zeigen (to show), ausgießen (to pour out), ertragen müssen (to have to endure). Example: "Er goss seine ganze Häme über sie aus." (He poured all his malice onto her.)
- Distinction: While Spott (mockery) generally describes making fun of a person or thing, Häme specifically relates to the misfortune or failure of that person. Zynismus (cynicism) is a general attitude of bitter irony, whereas Häme is a concrete emotional reaction to an event.
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Häme"
Article Mnemonic: Think of "die evil Häme". The -e ending often indicates feminine nouns in German (not always, but it fits here!). Or associate it with a malicious 'she' (die).
Meaning Mnemonic: Häme sounds a bit like 'aim'. Someone showing Häme is 'aiming' malice or spite at another person. Or think of 'HATE ME' - the feeling often involves hate or strong dislike.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Words
Synonyms (Similar meaning):
- Spott: Mockery, ridicule.
- Bosheit: Malice, malevolence.
- Missgunst: Envy, begrudging someone something.
- Schadenfreude: Joy at someone else's misfortune (often less active/aggressive than Häme).
- Verachtung: Contempt, disdain.
Antonyms (Opposite meaning):
- Mitgefühl: Compassion, sympathy for someone's suffering.
- Mitleid: Pity.
- Wohlwollen: Benevolence, goodwill.
- Güte: Kindness.
- Empathie: Empathy.
⚠️ Caution: Do not confuse with Scham (shame), which is a personal feeling of embarrassment or guilt.
😄 A Little Joke (with a wink)
Warum hat der Mann, der über die Bananenschale stolperte, keine Häme verdient?
Weil er schon auf dem Boden der Tatsachen angekommen war!
Translation:
Why did the man who slipped on the banana peel not deserve any malice (Häme)?
Because he had already hit rock bottom (lit: arrived on the ground of facts)!
(A gentle joke, because real Häme isn't nice, of course! 😉)
✍️ A Little Poem about Häme
Ein Stich, ein Fall, ein leises Lachen,
die Häme liebt es, Spott zu machen.
Sie sonnt sich gern im fremden Leid,
zeigt Bosheit, ist zur Tücke breit.
Doch Freundlichkeit und Mitgefühl,
sind besser doch, ein höh'res Ziel.
Translation:
A sting, a fall, a quiet laughter,
Malice loves to mock thereafter.
It likes to bask in others' pain,
Shows spite, towards deceit it's fain.
But kindness and compassion's feel,
Are better far, a higher ideal.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin ein Lächeln, doch nicht nett,
erscheine oft, wenn jemand fällt ins Bett...
...des Unglücks oder der Blamage tief.
Ich bin die Freude, die ganz schief
und bitter schmeckt für den, den's traf.
Man sagt, ich sei des Teufels Schaf.
Was bin ich?
Translation:
I am a smile, but far from kind,
Appear when someone falls behind...
...into misfortune or deep disgrace.
I am the joy with a twisted face,
That tastes quite bitter for the one affected.
They say I'm by the devil directed (lit: the devil's sheep).
What am I?
Solution: die Häme (malice/spite)
💡 Other Information
The adjective corresponding to "Häme" is hämisch. Example: "Er warf ihr einen hämischen Blick zu." (He gave her a malicious/spiteful look.)
Etymologically, "Häme" derives from the Middle High German word "hem(i)sch", which originally meant "treacherous" or "malicious". The connection to secrecy and treachery has thus been present for a long time.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Häme?
The German word "Häme" is feminine. The correct article is die Häme.