die
Hetze
🗣️ What does "die Hetze" mean?
The German word die Hetze primarily has two meanings, with one being significantly more common and serious:
- Incitement, Agitation, Hate Speech: This is the main and socially most relevant meaning. It describes the systematic incitement to hatred, hostility, or violence against specific individuals or groups. This often happens through slanderous claims, rumors, or propaganda. Example: Hetze gegen Minderheiten (incitement against minorities). This meaning carries a very strong negative connotation 🚨.
- Great Haste, Rush: In a less common, colloquial meaning, "die Hetze" describes a state of great hurry, being rushed, or stressful hustle and bustle. Example: Ich bin heute total in der Hetze (I'm in a total rush today).
Context is crucial here, but the first meaning is usually intended, especially in media and political discussions.
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 Deep Dive: Die Hetze
Die Hetze is a feminine noun.
Declension:
Singular:
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die Hetze | eine Hetze |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der Hetze | einer Hetze |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der Hetze | einer Hetze |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die Hetze | eine Hetze |
Plural:
The plural form "die Hetzen" is quite rare. It's mainly used when referring to multiple specific campaigns of incitement or repeated states of great hurry.
| Case | Definite Article |
|---|---|
| Nominative | die Hetzen |
| Genitive | der Hetzen |
| Dative | den Hetzen |
| Accusative | die Hetzen |
📝 Example Sentences
- Die Hetze im Internet nimmt leider zu.
(Unfortunately, incitement/hate speech on the internet is increasing.) (Meaning 1) - Er verurteilte die politische Hetze scharf.
(He sharply condemned the political agitation.) (Meaning 1) - Was ist das heute wieder für eine Hetze im Büro?
(What's all this rushing around in the office again today?) (Meaning 2, colloquial) - Nach all der Hetze brauche ich dringend Urlaub.
(After all that hustle/stress, I urgently need a vacation.) (Meaning 2)
💡 Usage Notes: "Die Hetze" in Context
Context is Key:
- Negative Connotation (Meaning 1): When "die Hetze" is used in the context of politics, society, media, or social groups, it almost always refers to the negative meaning of incitement, agitation, or hate speech. It often appears with the preposition "gegen" (against): die Hetze gegen Ausländer (incitement against foreigners), die Hetze gegen Politiker (agitation against politicians). It implies unfair, often manipulative, and hateful attacks. Related terms include Hassrede (hate speech) and Propaganda.
- Colloquial Rush (Meaning 2): The meaning "great haste" or "stress" is more informal. You might hear: "Ich bin voll in der Hetze" (I'm totally rushed) or "Diese ständige Hetze macht mich krank" (This constant rushing is making me sick). Here, the connotation is also negative (stress is rarely positive), but less severe than meaning 1.
Important Distinction: "Hetze" is stronger and more negative than simple criticism or disagreement. It refers to the targeted stoking of hatred and hostility. The term "Volksverhetzung" (incitement of the masses/people) is even a criminal offense in Germany.
⚠️ Avoid using the term lightly, especially the first meaning, as it is highly judgmental.
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Hetze"
Article Mnemonic: Think of die Wut (the anger), die Eile (the hurry), die Aggression (the aggression) – these are strong, often emotionally charged concepts often represented by feminine nouns in German. Die Hetze fits this pattern of intense, stirring concepts.
Meaning Mnemonic: The word sounds a bit like the English word "hate" combined with "setting" people against each other (for Meaning 1: incitement/hate speech). It also sounds like "haste" (for Meaning 2: rush). Imagine someone being hunted or chased (gehetzt) either by hateful words or by the clock.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms for "die Hetze"
Similar Meaning (Synonyms)
- For Meaning 1 (Incitement):
- Agitation (Agitation)
- Aufwiegelung (Incitement, rabble-rousing)
- Stimmungsmache (Propagandizing, creating [negative] sentiment)
- Verleumdung (Slander, defamation)
- Diffamierung (Defamation)
- Propaganda (often)
- Demagogie (Demagogy)
- Hassrede (Hate speech)
- For Meaning 2 (Haste):
Opposite Meaning (Antonyms)
- For Meaning 1 (Incitement):
- Sachlichkeit (Objectivity, factualness)
- Ausgewogenheit (Balance)
- Versöhnung (Reconciliation)
- Verständigung (Understanding, communication)
- Respekt (Respect)
- Toleranz (Tolerance)
- For Meaning 2 (Haste):
- Ruhe (Calmness, quiet)
- Gelassenheit (Composure, serenity)
- Besonnenheit (Prudence, level-headedness)
- Muße (Leisure)
- Entspannung (Relaxation)
⚠️ Watch out! Potential for Confusion!
"Die Hetze" is sometimes associated with "die Jagd" (the hunt) or "die Treibjagd" (the driven hunt) because the verb "hetzen" originally meant "to hunt" or "to chase". However, today "Hetze" primarily refers to verbal attacks or extreme haste, not the actual hunting of animals.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum rennt der Wecker morgens immer so schnell weg?
Weil er Angst vor der morgendlichen Hetze hat!
Translation:
Why does the alarm clock always run away so fast in the morning?
Because it's afraid of the morning rush (Hetze)!
📜 Poem about "die Hetze"
Ein Wort, so scharf, ein dunkler Schall,
Die Hetze sät den Hass überall.
Vergiftet Herzen, trübt den Sinn,
Wo bleibt Vernunft, wo der Gewinn?
Im Netz, auf Straßen, laut und schrill,
Macht sie die Welt oft grau und still.
Doch Ruhe, Miteinander, klares Wort,
Vertreiben diese Hetze fort.
Translation:
A word so sharp, a dark sound,
Incitement (Hetze) sows hatred all around.
Poisons hearts, clouds the mind,
Where is reason, what gain to find?
On the web, on streets, loud and shrill,
It often makes the world grey and still.
But calm, togetherness, a clear word,
Drive this incitement away, unheard.
🕵️ A Riddle
Ich kann spalten und verletzen tief,
obwohl ich nur ein Ausruf, nur ein Rief.
Ich schüre Feuer, wo keins sein soll,
mach Menschen wütend, zornesvoll.
Manchmal bin ich auch nur Stress und Lauf,
nehm dir die Ruhe, setz dich unter Tauf.
Ich bin feminin, mein Plural selten nur,
was bin ich für ein Wort, auf welcher Spur?
Lösung/Solution: die Hetze
Translation:
I can divide and deeply injure,
though I'm just a shout, just a call to stir.
I stoke fires where none should be,
make people furious, angry.
Sometimes I'm also just stress and race,
take away your calm, put you in a chase.
I am feminine, my plural rarely appears,
what word am I, banishing all fears?
Answer: die Hetze
🤓 Trivia & Etymology
Etymology (Word Origin):
The noun "die Hetze" derives from the verb "hetzen". This originally meant "to hunt eagerly, pursue, urge on" (like in a hunt with dogs). From this, the figurative meanings "to incite someone, stir up trouble" and "to hurry greatly, race" evolved. The aggressive, driving nature of the original meaning still resonates in both current main meanings.
Compound Words (Wortzusammensetzungen):
- Volksverhetzung: (Incitement of the people/masses) - A legal term and criminal offense in Germany describing public incitement to hatred against segments of the population.
- Medienhetze: (Media incitement) - Targeted negative campaigning or agitation by media outlets.
- Tierhetze: (Animal baiting/incitement) - Setting animals against each other (e.g., in dog fights), now mostly illegal and viewed very negatively.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Hetze?
The noun "Hetze" is always feminine. The correct article is die Hetze. It usually means negative incitement or agitation, or less commonly, a great rush or hurry.