die  Linderung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈlɪndəʁʊŋ/

😌 What does 'die Linderung' mean?

The word die Linderung describes the alleviation, relief, or mitigation of something negative, such as pain, suffering, worry, or an unpleasant situation. It refers to the state when something becomes less severe or more bearable.

It's a feminine noun (hence 'die') derived from the verb lindern (to alleviate, to mitigate, to soothe).

Typical examples include the Linderung of pain through medication or the Linderung of sorrow through comfort.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'die Linderung' in Detail

'Die Linderung' is a feminine noun. It is mostly used in the singular. The plural (die Linderungen) is rare and typically found in elevated or poetic language.

Declension (Singular)

Example Sentences

1. Die Salbe brachte schnelle Linderung bei dem Juckreiz. (The ointment brought quick relief from the itching.)
2. Wir hoffen auf eine Linderung der angespannten Lage. (We hope for an alleviation of the tense situation.)
3. Nach einem Gespräch mit seiner Freundin verspürte er eine gewisse Linderung seiner Sorgen. (After talking with his girlfriend, he felt some relief from his worries.)
4. Zur Linderung der Symptome verschrieb der Arzt ein Medikament. (The doctor prescribed medication for the relief of the symptoms.)

💡 How to use 'die Linderung'?

'Die Linderung' is frequently used in contexts related to health, well-being, or the improvement of a difficult situation.

• Medical context: Linderung von Schmerzen (relief from pain), Symptomen (symptoms), Beschwerden (ailments).
• Emotional context: Linderung von Kummer (sorrow), Sorgen (worries), Angst (fear), Leid (suffering).
• General context: Linderung einer Notlage (hardship), einer Belastung (burden), eines Problems (problem).

Typical verbs and expressions include:

• Linderung bringen (to bring relief)
• Linderung verschaffen (to provide relief)
• Linderung finden (to find relief)
• zur Linderung beitragen (to contribute to the relief)
• eine spürbare/deutliche/sofortige Linderung (a noticeable/clear/immediate relief)

It is often a more formal word than Erleichterung (relief), but can be used synonymously in many contexts. 'Linderung' often emphasizes the lessening of an existing negative state, whereas 'Erleichterung' can also describe the feeling after a danger or burden has been removed.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Linderung'

For the article 'die': Many German nouns ending in -ung are feminine ('die'). Think of: die Rettung (the rescue), die Heilung (the healing), die Linderung. They all bring some kind of solution or improvement. Just remember: -ung is feminine!

For the meaning: The word sounds like 'lind', which means 'gentle' or 'mild' in German. Linderung makes something bad linder (gentler, milder). Imagine how a 'lind' (gentle) breeze brings Linderung (relief) on a hot day. Or think of 'lint' being removed to provide relief to a clogged machine - lint-erung -> Linderung.

🔄 Opposites and Similarities: Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Watch out: Don't confuse with die Lieferung (the delivery).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Schmerz aufgehört zu weinen? Weil er endlich Linderung gefunden hat – in Form einer Träne der Erleichterung! 😉

(Why did the pain stop crying? Because it finally found relief – in the form of a tear of relief!) 😉

✍️ Poem about Linderung

Wenn Sorgen drücken, Schmerzen plagen,
An trüben, schweren Leidenstagen,
Dann sucht das Herz, von Gram umringt,
Nach etwas, das die Linderung bringt.

(When worries press, and pains torment,
On gloomy, heavy days of suffering spent,
The heart then seeks, by grief surrounded,
For something that brings relief, unbounded.)

Ein sanftes Wort, ein kühler Hauch,
Verändert Leid in leisen Rauch.
Sie kommt oft still, kaum wahrgenommen,
Hat Milderung ins Herz bekommen.

(A gentle word, a cooling breeze,
Transforms the suffering into soft ease.
It often comes quietly, barely perceived,
Has brought mitigation to the heart, received.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin kein Arzt, doch helfe gern,
Halte das Schlimmste von dir fern.
Ich mach' das Leid ein wenig klein,
Bin oft ein wahrer Sonnenschein.
Wenn Schmerz und Kummer dich umfangen,
Wirst du nach meiner Kraft verlangen.

Was bin ich?
... Die Linderung

(I am no doctor, yet I gladly help,
Keeping the worst away from yourself.
I make the suffering a little small,
Am often a true sunshine for all.
When pain and sorrow embrace you tight,
You will long for my power and might.

What am I?
... Relief (die Linderung)

🧩 Other Interesting Details

Word Formation:

The word 'Linderung' is a so-called verbal noun (Verbalsubstantiv). It was formed from the verb lindern (to alleviate, mitigate, soothe) by adding the suffix -ung. This suffix is commonly used in German to create feminine nouns from verbs, denoting the process or result of the verb's action (e.g., heilen (to heal) -> die Heilung (the healing), warnen (to warn) -> die Warnung (the warning)).

Etymology:

The verb 'lindern' derives from the Old High German adjective 'lindi', which meant 'gentle', 'soft', 'mild'. The underlying idea is therefore to make something hard or painful softer or milder.