die  Misere

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/mɪˈzeːʁə/

😥 What exactly does 'die Misere' mean?

Die Misere (noun, feminine) describes a dire situation, a wretched or miserable condition. It refers to a state of great misfortune, sorrow, or distress, often associated with poverty, suffering, or a general feeling of wretchedness. It can relate to personal, social, or economic difficulties.

The word is almost exclusively used in the singular. A plural form exists (die Miseren), but it is very rare and rather formal or poetic.

🚨 The word is always feminine: die Misere. There are no other articles for this word.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'die Misere' in Detail

The noun 'Misere' is feminine. Here is the declension in the singular. The plural ('die Miseren') is very uncommon.

Declension Singular

Example Sentences

1. Die wirtschaftliche Misere des Landes verschärft sich zusehends.
   (The country's economic misery is worsening noticeably.)
2. Er erzählte mir von seiner persönlichen Misere nach dem Jobverlust.
   (He told me about his personal plight after losing his job.)
3. Wir müssen einen Ausweg aus dieser Misere finden.
   (We must find a way out of this misery/predicament.)
4. Viele Menschen leben in großer Misere.
   (Many people live in great misery/poverty.)

💬 How to use 'die Misere'?

'Die Misere' is used to describe serious hardships or unfortunate conditions. It carries a strong negative connotation and is often employed in contexts of poverty, suffering, failure, or general misfortune.

• Social/Economic Contexts: Often used to describe the poor state of a society, group, or country (e.g., die soziale Misere, die wirtschaftliche Misere).
• Personal Contexts: Can also describe individual hardships or unfortunate life circumstances (e.g., seine finanzielle Misere, die Misere ihrer Ehe).
• Style: Belongs more to formal or elevated language but can appear in everyday speech to emphasize a difficult situation.

Comparison with similar words:

• Elend (das): Very similar, often emphasizes physical or emotional suffering more strongly. 'Das Elend' is neuter.
• Not (die): Often refers to a lack of necessities (e.g., Hungersnot - famine). 'Die Not' is also feminine.
• Klemme (die): More colloquial for a tight spot, often a short-term difficult situation one is stuck in (e.g., in der Klemme stecken - to be in a fix).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Misere'

Article Mnemonic (die): Think of the English word "misery". Misery is often associated with dramatic situations, like in an opera. The lead female singer, the Diva, sings about die Misere.

Meaning Mnemonic: 'Misere' sounds very much like the English word "misery". If you feel miserable, you are in a Misere.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms of 'die Misere'

⚠️ Caution: Words like 'Problem' (das Problem) or 'Schwierigkeit' (die Schwierigkeit - difficulty) are often less intense than 'Misere', which truly describes a miserable state.

😄 A little joke

Fragt der Optimist den Pessimisten: "Ist das Glas halb voll oder halb leer?" Sagt der Realist: "Wir haben eindeutig eine Versorgungs-Misere beim Wasser!" 💧

Translation: The optimist asks the pessimist: "Is the glass half full or half empty?"
The realist says: "We clearly have a supply misery (shortage) with the water!"

✒️ Poem about 'die Misere'

In Schatten tief, wo Kummer wohnt,
Und Sorge schwer auf Herzen thront,
Da breitet sich, oft ungesehn,
Die Misere aus, lässt Hoffnung wehn
Nur schwach und fern. Ein grauer Schleier,
Der drückt aufs Land, macht Seelen bleier.
Doch auch im Dunkel keimt ein Licht,
das uns den Weg aus Not verspricht.

Translation:
In shadows deep, where sorrow dwells,
And heavy worry on hearts compels,
There spreads, often unseen,
The misery, letting hope convene
Only weak and far. A grey veil's hold,
Weighs on the land, makes souls feel old.
But even in darkness, a light does gleam,
Promising the path out of this troubled stream.

🤔 Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Zustand, schwer und grau,
Bring Kummer, Not und selten Applaus.
Man wünscht mich fort, sucht schnelle Wende,
Bin oft das Resultat am Ende
Von Pech und falschem Plan.
Ich bin feminin, sag an,
Wie nennt man diese schlimme Lage?

Translation:
I am a state, heavy and grey,
Bringing sorrow, need, and rarely praise's ray.
People wish me gone, seek a swift turn,
I'm often the result, a lesson to learn
From bad luck and faulty design.
I am feminine, tell me the sign,
What do you call this terrible plight?

(Solution: die Misere)

💡 Other Information about 'die Misere'

Word Origin: The word 'Misere' comes from French (misère), which also means 'misery', 'poverty', 'hardship'. It was adopted into German in the 17th century.

Compounds: Sometimes you find compound words like 'Geldmisere' (money misery/financial straits) or 'Wohnungsmisere' (housing misery/shortage) to specify the type of hardship.