die  Häufigkeit

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈhɔɪ̯fɪçkaɪ̯t/

What does 'Häufigkeit' mean? 🤔

Die Häufigkeit (feminine) describes how often something occurs within a specific period or quantity. It's a measure of the frequency or prevalence of an event, condition, or characteristic.

Imagine counting how many times your favourite song is played on the radio – that's the Häufigkeit with which it's played.

There's only one article for this word: die. It's an abstract noun formed with the suffix -keit, which almost always creates feminine nouns in German.

Article rules for der, die, and das

Grammar Check: Declension of Häufigkeit

The word "Häufigkeit" is a feminine noun and always uses the article "die". Here is its declension:

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

The plural of "Häufigkeit" is "Häufigkeiten".

Example Sentences 📝

• Die Häufigkeit von Regenschauern nimmt im Herbst zu.
  (The frequency of rain showers increases in autumn. - Nominative Singular)
• Wir untersuchen die Ursachen der Häufigkeit dieser Fehler.
  (We are investigating the causes of the frequency of these errors. - Genitive Singular)
• Mit zunehmender Häufigkeit der Besuche wurde er misstrauisch.
  (With the increasing frequency of the visits, he became suspicious. - Dative Singular)
• Der Arzt notierte die Häufigkeit der Anfälle.
  (The doctor noted the frequency of the seizures. - Accusative Singular)
• Statistische Häufigkeiten können manchmal täuschen.
  (Statistical frequencies can sometimes be deceptive. - Nominative Plural)
• Die Analyse der Häufigkeiten verschiedener Wörter ist interessant.
  (The analysis of the frequencies of different words is interesting. - Genitive Plural)

Usage in Context: When to use Häufigkeit? 🎯

"Häufigkeit" is often used in statistical, scientific, or technical contexts to indicate how often something has been measured or observed.

• Statistics & Math: Die absolute Häufigkeit indicates the number of occurrences, die relative Häufigkeit the proportion.
• Medicine: Die Häufigkeit von Nebenwirkungen war gering. (The frequency of side effects was low.)
• Everyday Language: You can also talk about the frequency of events in everyday life, e.g., Die Häufigkeit seiner Besuche überrascht mich. (The frequency of his visits surprises me.)
• Difference from 'Frequenz': While 'Frequenz' is often used in a more technical sense (e.g., for oscillations, radio waves), 'Häufigkeit' is more general and refers to the occurrence of events or characteristics over time or within a sample.

⚠️ Avoid using "Häufigkeit" when you simply mean "often". Instead of "*Ich sehe ihn mit großer Häufigkeit*" (literally: *I see him with great frequency*), it's much better to say "Ich sehe ihn oft/häufig." (I see him often/frequently.)

Mnemonics & Memory Aids 🧠

Remembering the Article 'die':

Remember: Words ending in -keit in German are almost always feminine (like die Möglichkeit - possibility, die Sauberkeit - cleanliness). So, it's die Häufigkeit. Think of it as describing a quality or state, which often take 'die'.

Remembering the Meaning 'frequency':

Häufig sounds a bit like the English word "hoofing" it (moving quickly or often). If something happens often, its Häufigkeit (frequency) is high. Or think of 'häufen' (to pile up, accumulate) - frequency measures how much events pile up.

Similar and Opposite Words 🔄

Potential Confusion:

• Häufung: Refers to the accumulation or cluster of occurrences, often with a negative connotation (e.g., Häufung von Fehlern - accumulation of errors). Häufigkeit is more neutral and measures the rate of occurrence.

A Little Joke 😄

Fragt der Lehrer: "Wie hoch ist die statistische Häufigkeit, mit der ein Schüler seine Hausaufgaben vergisst?"
Antwortet Fritzchen: "Tendiert gegen 1, Herr Lehrer!"

Translation:
The teacher asks: "What is the statistical frequency with which a student forgets their homework?"
Little Fritz answers: "Tends towards 1, teacher!"

A Short Poem about Frequency ✍️

Die Häufigkeit, ein Maß der Zeit,
wie oft geschieht's, weit und breit.
Mal selten nur, mal immerzu,
sie zählt das Vorkommen in aller Ruh'.
In Zahlen fasst sie das Gescheh'n,
lässt Muster uns und Trends versteh'n.

Translation:
The frequency, a measure of time,
how often it happens, far and wide.
Sometimes rarely, sometimes always near,
it counts the occurrences, calm and clear.
In numbers, it captures what took place,
lets us see patterns and trends apace.

Riddle Time 🕵️‍♀️

Ich sage dir, wie oft im Jahr
der Kuckuck ruft, das ist doch klar.
Ich messe Regen, Sonnenschein,
und zähl', wie oft die Sterne schrei'n.
In Statistik bin ich Zuhaus,
wie nennst du mich? Finde es heraus!

Translation:
I tell you how often in the year
The cuckoo calls, that much is clear.
I measure rain, and sunshine bright,
And count how often stars ignite.
In statistics, I have my place,
What do you call me? Solve the case!

Solution: die Häufigkeit (frequency)

More Info 🧐

Word Origin and Composition:

The word "Häufigkeit" is derived from the adjective häufig (frequent, common) using the suffix -keit. This suffix is commonly used in German to form abstract nouns from adjectives, typically denoting a quality, state, or characteristic (e.g., Schnelligkeit - speed, Sauberkeit - cleanliness, Möglichkeit - possibility). These -keit nouns are almost always feminine.