die
Hingabe
💖 What does 'die Hingabe' mean?
Die Hingabe (feminine) describes a deep, often passionate devotion or dedication towards a person, a thing, a task, or an idea. It implies complete involvement and often selflessness.
It primarily has this meaning:
- Dedication / Devotion: The intense and often self-sacrificing engagement with something or someone. Example: die Hingabe an die Kunst (the dedication to art), die Hingabe an die Familie (the devotion to the family).
- Surrender / Submission: In some contexts, it can also mean a form of (voluntary) submission or compliance, e.g., in spiritual or romantic relationships.
It's an abstract noun and is mostly used in the singular.
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 'die Hingabe' in Detail
The word 'Hingabe' is a feminine noun. It is almost exclusively used in the singular because it's an abstract concept. A plural form ('die Hingaben') is very rare and unusual.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Hingabe |
| Genitive | der | Hingabe |
| Dative | der | Hingabe |
| Accusative | die | Hingabe |
📝 Example Sentences
- Ihre Hingabe an die Musik war bewundernswert.
(Her dedication to music was admirable.) - Er pflegte seine kranke Mutter mit großer Hingabe.
(He cared for his sick mother with great devotion.) - Das Projekt erforderte völlige Hingabe von allen Beteiligten.
(The project required complete dedication from everyone involved.) - Man spürte die Hingabe in jedem Pinselstrich des Künstlers.
(One could feel the devotion in every brushstroke of the artist.)
💡 Usage and Context of Hingabe
'Hingabe' is often used to express intense emotional or intellectual involvement. It's a strong word suggesting more than just interest or a sense of duty.
- In professional life: One speaks of Hingabe when someone does their job with passion and full commitment (e.g., Hingabe zum Beruf - dedication to the profession).
- In relationships: It describes deep affection, care, and self-sacrifice (e.g., hingebungsvolle Liebe - devoted love).
- For hobbies/passions: When someone dedicates themselves intensely and joyfully to an activity (e.g., seine Hingabe galt dem Schachspiel - his devotion was to playing chess).
- In a spiritual/religious context: Here, it often means devotion or submission to God (Gottergebenheit).
Differentiation: While Engagement (commitment) can also describe professional effort, Hingabe often emphasizes a deeper, more personal, and emotional component. Widmung (dedication) is similar but can also be more formal (e.g., a book dedication).
🧠 Mnemonics for Hingabe
Article Mnemonic: Imagine a woman (die Frau) dedicating herself with full Hingabe to a task. The femininity (feminine -> die) matches the emotional depth of the word.
Meaning Mnemonic: Think of 'hin-geben' which literally means 'to give towards'. You give yourself or your full attention towards (hin) something or someone. You fully give yourself over to it.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Widmung: Strong dedication, often also in the sense of an inscription.
- Engagement: Commitment, involvement (often in professional or social context).
- Leidenschaft: Passion, strong emotional enthusiasm.
- Ergebenheit: Devotion, loyalty, sometimes also submission.
- Aufopferung: Self-sacrifice, putting one's own needs aside.
- Herzblut (colloquial): 'Heart's blood', great personal effort and passion.
- Andacht: Devotion, contemplation (in a religious context).
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Gleichgültigkeit: Indifference, apathy.
- Ablehnung: Rejection, refusal.
- Widerstand: Resistance, opposition.
- Faulheit: Laziness.
- Nachlässigkeit: Negligence, carelessness.
- Desinteresse: Lack of interest.
Risk of Confusion: Sometimes Hingabe is confused with mere Pflicht (duty). However, Hingabe usually implies an inner motivation and voluntariness that goes beyond simple fulfillment of duty.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Gärtner den Preis für die größte Hingabe gewonnen?
Weil er selbst im Winter nicht von der Seite seiner Pflanzen wich – er hatte einfach einen grünen Daumen und ein warmes Herz!
(Why did the gardener win the prize for the greatest devotion?
Because even in winter, he wouldn't leave his plants' side – he just had a green thumb and a warm heart!)
📜 Poem about Hingabe
Die Hingabe, ein stilles Geben,
Ein Herz, das schlägt für fremdes Leben.
In Kunst, in Liebe, im Tun,
Lässt sie die Seele niemals ruhn.
Ein Funke, der zur Flamme wird,
Ein Weg, der tief ins Innere führt.
Nicht Zwang, nicht Muss, ein freier Geist,
Der sich dem Wertvollsten erweist.
(Devotion, a silent giving,
A heart that beats for others' living.
In art, in love, in deed,
It never lets the soul concede.)
(A spark that grows into a flame,
A path that leads to inner fame.
Not force, not must, a spirit free,
Proving itself most worthy.)
❓ Little Riddle
Ich bin kein Zwang, doch fordere viel.
Ich wohne im Herzen, erreiche mein Ziel.
Ich zeige mich in Pflege, in Kunst und im Kuss,
Bin tiefe Verbindung, kein leerer Genuss.
Was bin ich? (Lösung: die Hingabe)
(I am not forced, yet demand a lot.
I live in the heart, hitting the spot.
I show myself in care, in art, and a kiss,
Am deep connection, not empty bliss.)
(What am I?)
(Answer: die Hingabe / devotion)
🧩 Further Insights
Word Formation: The word 'Hingabe' is composed of the preposition/adverb 'hin' (indicating direction towards something) and the noun 'Gabe' (gift, something given). So it literally describes the 'giving towards' of oneself, one's time, or energy.
Cultural Significance: The concept of Hingabe plays an important role in many cultures and philosophies, whether in romantic love, parenting, vocation, or spirituality. It is often regarded as a high virtue.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Hingabe?
The noun 'Hingabe' is always feminine. The correct article is die. It means devotion, dedication, or surrender and is typically used in the singular.