die / der  Leidtragende

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈlaɪtˌtʁaːɡndə/

💔 What does 'Leidtragende' mean?

The word Leidtragende is a nominalized present participle of the verb 'leidtragen' (to suffer, bear sorrow). It refers to a person who is suffering from something, has suffered damage or loss, or is affected by a negative event. It is used specifically according to gender:

• Der Leidtragende: Refers to a male person who is suffering. (masculine)
• Die Leidtragende: Refers to a female person who is suffering. (feminine)
• Die Leidtragenden (Plural): Refers to multiple people (regardless of gender) who are suffering.

It often implies a sense of sympathy or compassion for the affected person.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: Declension of Leidtragende

"Leidtragende(r)" is declined like a nominalized adjective. The declension depends on whether a definite or indefinite article (or no article) precedes it.

Declension with Definite Article (Weak Declension)

This is used after 'der', 'die', 'das', 'dieser', 'jener', 'welcher', etc.

Declension with Indefinite Article (Mixed Declension)

This is used after 'ein', 'eine', 'kein', 'keine', possessive pronouns like 'mein', 'dein', etc.

Note: Without any article (strong declension), the endings would be like the indefinite article, e.g., Nominative masculine: Leidtragender, Nominative feminine: Leidtragende, Nominative plural: Leidtragende.

Example Sentences

• Der Leidtragende des Unfalls wurde ins Krankenhaus gebracht.
  (The male sufferer of the accident was taken to the hospital.)
• Wir sprachen mit der Leidtragenden, um ihr unser Beileid auszudrücken.
  (We spoke with the female sufferer to express our condolences.)
• Die Spendenaktion soll den Leidtragenden der Flutkatastrophe helfen.
  (The fundraiser is intended to help the sufferers of the flood disaster.)
• Er ist ein Leidtragender der neuen Regelung.
  (He is a (male) sufferer of the new regulation.)
• Sie war eine Leidtragende der Umstände.
  (She was a (female) sufferer of the circumstances.)

🗣️ How to use 'Leidtragende'?

The word "Leidtragende(r)" is used to describe people bearing the negative consequences of a situation, event, or action.

• Context: Often used in serious contexts such as accidents, disasters, illnesses, injustices, conflicts, or the loss of a loved one (in the sense of Hinterbliebene(r) - bereaved).
• Emphasis: It stresses the experience of harm, pain, or loss, often through no fault of one's own.
• Comparison:
  • Opfer (victim): Can be used synonymously, but sometimes emphasizes helplessness or being victimized more strongly.
  • Betroffene(r) (affected person): Is often more neutral, describing someone affected by something without necessarily implying severe suffering.
  • Geschädigte(r) (injured/damaged party): Refers more specifically to material or physical harm, often in a legal context.
• Typical phrases: "die Leidtragenden der Krise" (the sufferers of the crisis), "der eigentliche Leidtragende sein" (to be the real sufferer), "zu den Leidtragenden gehören" (to be among the sufferers).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Remembering the Article: Think about the person suffering. People are either male (der Mann) or female (die Frau). So: der Leidtragende (male), die Leidtragende (female).

Remembering the Meaning: Imagine someone carrying (tragen) a heavy burden of sorrow/suffering (Leid). This person is der/die Leidtragende.

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words (Caution):

• Leidenschaftlich: Passionate (completely different meaning!).
• Tragend: Supporting, load-bearing, significant (e.g., eine tragende Rolle - a leading role). Related to the verb tragen, but here specifically means 'carrying Leid'.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Warum hat der Pessimist immer Recht?
Weil er der Leidtragende ist, wenn er Unrecht hat, und sagen kann "Ich hab's ja gesagt", wenn er Recht hat!

English: Why is the pessimist always right?
Because he's the sufferer (Leidtragende) if he's wrong, and he gets to say "I told you so" if he's right!

✍️ Poem about Sufferers

German:
Ein Schatten fällt, wo einst die Sonne schien,
Ein Herz, das schwer, von Sorgen ganz durchdrungen.
Die Last der Welt, sie scheint auf ihm zu liegen,
Der Leidtragende, vom Schicksal still bezwungen.

Ob Mann, ob Frau, die Leidtragende weint,
Verloren oft im Lärm der lauten Zeit.
Doch Hoffnung keimt, wenn Mitgefühl erscheint,
Und teilt die Bürde, lindert still das Leid.

English Translation:
A shadow falls where once the sun did shine,
A heavy heart, by worries deeply wrung.
The weight of the world, it seems on him to recline,
The (male) sufferer, by fate silently overcome.

Be it man or woman, the (female) sufferer cries,
Often lost in the noise of loud times.
But hope sprouts when compassion arises,
And shares the burden, softly eases suffering's chimes.

❓ Riddle Time

German:
Ich trage Last, doch hab ich keine Hände,
Ich fühle Schmerz, doch bin ich nicht verwundet tief.
Ein Unglück trifft, und ich steh' an dem Ende,
Das Nutzen zieht, während ich im Kummer schlief.

Mal männlich bin ich, mal weiblich, je nachdem,
Wer Ungemach und Sorgen spürt.

Wer bin ich?

English Translation:
I carry a burden, yet I have no hands,
I feel pain, yet I'm not wounded deep.
Misfortune strikes, and I stand at the ends,
That benefit, while I in sorrow sleep.

Sometimes I'm male, sometimes female, you see,
Depending on who feels hardship and worries.

Who am I? Answer: Der/Die Leidtragende (The sufferer)

🧩 Word Details: Leidtragende

Word Formation:

The word is composed of:

• Leid (das): Sorrow, suffering, grief, harm.
• tragen: To carry, bear (physically or metaphorically), endure.
• -d + -e/-er: Suffixes for forming the present participle and its nominalization and declension.

So, it literally means someone 'carrying sorrow' or 'enduring suffering'.

Cultural Aspect: The term plays an important role in social discourse about justice, empathy, and support for people in distress in German-speaking cultures.