die
Hure
📖 What does "die Hure" mean?
The word die Hure is a German noun with a primary, but often secondary, meaning and a very common, highly derogatory meaning:
- Prostitute: The original meaning refers to a woman who offers sexual services for payment. This usage is often considered outdated or derogatory today, even if technically correct. Synonyms might include die Prostituierte (neutral) or die Sexarbeiterin (neutral).
- Strong Insult: ⚠️ Much more commonly, "Hure" is used as an extremely vulgar and misogynistic insult. It aims to portray a woman as sexually promiscuous, morally reprehensible, or generally despicable. This usage is highly offensive and should absolutely be avoided.
- Intensifier (in compounds): 🚨 Sometimes the root appears in other vulgar terms (e.g., "Hurensohn" - son of a bitch/whore), where it serves as a general, very strong insult, not to be taken literally, but extremely hurtful.
🚨 Caution: "Die Hure" is one of the strongest swear words in the German language, especially towards women. Its use is unacceptable in almost all social contexts and can have legal consequences.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Women → almost always feminine.
Caution: Most professions also have their feminine forms (e.g. die Polizistin). Some words can also have two forms: der/die Deutsche, der/die Kranke.
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: die Hure
The noun "die Hure" is feminine.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Hure |
| Genitive | der | Hure |
| Dative | der | Hure |
| Accusative | die | Hure |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Huren |
| Genitive | der | Huren |
| Dative | den | Huren |
| Accusative | die | Huren |
📝 Example Sentences
- Historischer Kontext (selten, oft noch abwertend): In manchen alten Texten wird von den Huren der Stadt berichtet.
(In some old texts, the whores of the city are mentioned.) - Als Beleidigung (⚠️ extrem vulgär): Er beschimpfte sie aufs Übelste und nannte sie eine Hure. (Do not imitate!)
(He insulted her in the worst way and called her a whore.)
🗣️ How to use "die Hure"?
Using "die Hure" requires extreme caution as it is a highly taboo and offensive word.
- Context: The literal meaning "prostitute" is historically correct but often perceived as derogatory today. Words like "Prostituierte" or "Sexarbeiterin" (sex worker) are more neutral, although the context of the discussion is crucial.
- Insult: 🚨 Its most common use is as a vulgar insult. It is profoundly misogynistic and aims to denigrate a woman's sexual autonomy or character. In youth slang or certain milieus, it is sometimes used inflationarily, but this does not lessen its severity. Using it as a swear word is socially unacceptable and often punishable by law.
- Comparison: While "Prostituierte" is a job description (albeit stigmatized), "Hure" is almost always an attack on a person's honor and dignity. Milder, but still negative terms might include "Schlampe" (slut, also vulgar).
- Compounds: In words like "Hurensohn" (son of a bitch/whore), it's used as a general, severe insult (often directed at men), which is also extremely hurtful.
➡️ Conclusion: Actively avoid this word. There are hardly any situations in normal language use where using "Hure" would be appropriate or necessary.
🧠 Mnemonics
Article Mnemonic: Think of die Frau (the woman). Since "Hure" (unfortunately often as an insult) refers to a female person or a historical female role, the article is die (feminine).
Meaning Mnemonic (Warning!): The word sounds harsh and abrupt ('Hu-re'). Imagine how hurtful such a harshly spoken word can be. It's a word to remember in order to never use it lightly. The severity of the sound reflects the severity of the insult. Think 'Hurtful' for Hure.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (depending on context):
- For Prostitute (more neutral to formal): Prostituierte, Sexarbeiterin
- For Prostitute (outdated/derogatory): Dirne, Freudenmädchen, Metze (historical)
- As an Insult (vulgar): Schlampe (slut), Nutte (whore/hooker), Fotze (cunt - extremely vulgar)
⚠️ Similar but different words:
😂 A (Neutral) Joke
Warum hat der Frosch immer gute Laune?
Weil er immer quak-fröhlich ist!
(Why is the frog always in a good mood? Because he's always 'ribbit-ly' happy! - A pun on 'quick-fröhlich' meaning cheerfully quick).
(Note: A direct joke about the word "Hure" would be inappropriate and potentially hurtful.)
📜 A Poem About Words
Ein Wort, schnell gesagt, achtlos und kalt,
kann Wunden schlagen, tiefer als alt.
Manch Wort ist wie Gift, verletzt und versehrt,
drum wähle sie weise, sei's richtig gelehrt.
Ein scharfes Wort, wie Hohn und wie Spott,
macht Herzen schwer, spottet dem Gott.
Besonders ein Wort, das Ehre verneint,
sei niemals dein Mittel, sei Freund, nicht Feind.
(A word, quickly said, careless and cold,
Can strike wounds deeper than old.
Some words are like poison, hurting, causing blight,
So choose them wisely, ensure they are right.)
(A sharp word, like scorn and like jeer,
Makes hearts heavy, mocks God held dear.
Especially a word that denies all grace,
Let it never be your tool, be friend, not foe, in this place.)
🧩 Riddle
Ich bin ein Wort, feminin und kurz,
Trage Geschichte, oft Schmerz und Sturz.
Man braucht mich kaum je im guten Ton,
Denn meistens bin ich Hohn und Lohn... für Zorn.
Welches Wort bin ich? (Sei vorsichtig!)
Lösung: die Hure
(I am a word, feminine and short,
Carry history, often pain and thwart.
You rarely need me in polite conversation,
For mostly I am scorn and remuneration... for wrath.)
(What word am I? (Be careful!))
(Solution: die Hure)
🌐 Further Information
Etymology: The word "Hure" comes from the Old High German "huora". Its exact origin is disputed but likely related to concepts like "to desire" or "to hire" (in the sense of hiring oneself out). It has been in the German language for centuries.
Cultural Context: The figure of the "Hure" (whore) is a recurring motif in literature, art, and film, often stereotyped and rarely portrayed neutrally. Perceptions and depictions have changed over time but remain mostly negatively connoted.
Legal Aspects: In Germany, using "Hure" as an insult can constitute the criminal offense of insult ("Beleidigung", § 185 StGB) and may lead to legal action.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Hure?
The word "Hure" is always feminine, so it's die Hure. It means either prostitute (often derogatory) or is used as a very strong, vulgar swear word that should absolutely be avoided (⚠️).