die  Krise

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈkʁiːzə/

🧐 What exactly does "die Krise" mean?

The German word die Krise (feminine, plural: die Krisen) describes a difficult situation, a critical point, or a turning point. It often refers to a time of uncertainty, danger, or hardship that requires a decision. A Krise can relate to various areas:

• Economic/Financial: An economic crisis (Wirtschaftskrise), a financial crisis (Finanzkrise).
• Political: A government crisis (Regierungskrise), an international crisis (internationale Krise).
• Personal: A life crisis (Lebenskrise), an identity crisis (Identitätskrise), a relationship crisis (Beziehungskrise).
• Health: A health crisis (e.g., during an illness).

Although often having negative connotations, a Krise can also be an opportunity for change and a new beginning (a turning point - Wendepunkt).

🚨 Remember: The word is always feminine: die Krise.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📝 Grammar of "die Krise" in Detail

"Krise" is a feminine noun. The article is always die.

Example Sentences

1. Das Land befindet sich in einer tiefen wirtschaftlichen Krise.
   The country is in a deep economic crisis.
2. Sie hat ihre persönliche Krise erfolgreich überwunden.
   She successfully overcame her personal crisis.
3. Die Regierung versucht, die politische Krise zu lösen.
   The government is trying to resolve the political crisis.
4. Viele Unternehmen kämpften während der Krise ums Überleben.
   Many companies fought for survival during the crisis.
5. Aus solchen Krisen kann man gestärkt hervorgehen.
   One can emerge stronger from such crises.

💬 How is "Krise" used? Understanding the Context

"Krise" is frequently used in serious contexts to describe difficult phases. It's a strong word implying urgency and often danger.

Typical Collocations (Word combinations):

• in einer Krise stecken/sein (to be stuck/be in a crisis)
• eine Krise durchmachen/erleben (to go through/experience a crisis)
• eine Krise überwinden/meistern (to overcome/master a crisis)
• eine Krise auslösen/verursachen (to trigger/cause a crisis)
• die Krise spitzt sich zu (the crisis is escalating/coming to a head)

Context Examples:

• Economy/Politics: People talk about the Ölkrise (oil crisis), Finanzkrise (financial crisis), Flüchtlingskrise (refugee crisis), Regierungskrise (government crisis). These refer to far-reaching problems affecting entire systems.
• Personal Sphere: Midlife-Crisis, Sinnkrise (crisis of meaning), Beziehungskrise (relationship crisis). Here, it describes profound personal difficulties or periods of upheaval.
• Medicine: Less common, but e.g., Heilungskrise (healing crisis - a paradoxical reaction during recovery) or an acute worsening of a condition.

Distinction from Similar Words:

• Konflikt (Conflict): Refers more to a dispute or argument between parties.
• Problem (Problem): Is more general and often less severe than a Krise.
• Notlage (Emergency/Plight): Often refers to an acute, existential threat (e.g., financial hardship). A Krise can lead to a Notlage.

💡 Mnemonics for "die Krise"

For the article "die" (feminine): Many German nouns ending in -e with two syllables are feminine (like die Lampe, die Katze). Think: "She ('die') navigates the ('die') crises wisely."

For the meaning: Krise sounds very similar to the English word "crisis". Imagine someone yelling "CRISIS!" during a difficult situation – this helps anchor the meaning of danger and critical point.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "Krise"

⚠️ Be careful with similar-sounding words: Kritik (criticism) sounds similar but has a completely different meaning!

😂 A Little Joke about Crisis

German:
Fragt der Optimist: "Ist das Glas halb voll oder halb leer?"
Fragt der Pessimist: "Wer hat mein Glas geklaut?"
Fragt der Berater in der Krise: "Sehen Sie das halbvolle Glas als Chance zur Restrukturierung Ihrer Trinkgewohnheiten!" 😉

English Translation:
The optimist asks: "Is the glass half full or half empty?"
The pessimist asks: "Who stole my glass?"
The consultant during the crisis asks: "Do you see the half-full glass as an opportunity to restructure your drinking habits?!" 😉

📜 Poem about "die Krise"

Die Krise

Dunkle Wolken, schwer und dicht, (Dark clouds, heavy and dense,)
die Zuversicht zerbricht. (Confidence breaks.)
Ein Sturm zieht auf, voll Not und Pein, (A storm approaches, full of hardship and pain,)
die Welt scheint aus den Fugen zu sein. (The world seems out of joint.)

Doch tief im Innern, leis und zart, (But deep inside, soft and gentle,)
ein Funke Hoffnung neu gestartet. (A spark of hope has restarted.)
Die Krise zwingt, den Kurs zu wenden, (The crisis forces a change of course,)
neue Stärke zu entsenden. (To send out new strength.)

Ein Wendepunkt, ein Neubeginn, (A turning point, a new beginning,)
trägt oft den Wandel in sich drin. (Often carries change within it.)
Auch wenn der Weg noch steil und schwer, (Even if the path is still steep and hard,)
die Chance wächst – von ungefähr. (The opportunity grows – unexpectedly.)

🧩 Little Riddle

German:
Ich bin eine Zeit der Not und Wende,
fordere Mut und starke Hände.
Mal politisch, mal im Portemonnaie,
manchmal tut's auch persönlich weh.
Bin ich vorbei, ist oft was neu.
Was bin ich, streng und doch nicht scheu?

English Translation:
I am a time of hardship and turning,
Demanding courage and strong hands for earning (or doing).
Sometimes political, sometimes in the wallet you see,
Sometimes it hurts personally.
When I am over, often something's new.
What am I, strict and yet not shy too?

Solution: die Krise (the crisis)

ℹ️ Additional Information about die Krise

Word Origin (Etymology):

The word "Krise" comes from the Greek word κρίσις (krisis), which originally meant "decision", "judgment", or "separation". In medicine, it referred to the critical turning point of a disease. This meaning of a decisive turning point was then transferred to other areas.

Compound Words (Komposita):

"Krise" is very productive in forming compound words in German:

• Economy/Politics: Wirtschaftskrise (economic crisis), Finanzkrise (financial crisis), Bankenkrise (banking crisis), Ölkrise (oil crisis), Regierungskrise (government crisis), Staatskrise (state crisis), Verfassungskrise (constitutional crisis).
• Personal/Social: Lebenskrise (life crisis), Sinnkrise (crisis of meaning), Midlife-Crisis (often adopted into German), Identitätskrise (identity crisis), Beziehungskrise (relationship crisis), Ehekrise (marital crisis).
• Others: Klimakrise (climate crisis), Wasserkrise (water crisis), Energiekrise (energy crisis).