die  Politikverdrossenheit

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/poliˈtiːk.fɛɐ̯ˌdʁɔsənhaɪt/

What does 'die Politikverdrossenheit' actually mean? 🤔

Die Politikverdrossenheit describes a feeling of disillusionment, apathy, or weariness towards politics, political processes, and politicians. It's a negative attitude often linked to a feeling of powerlessness or the impression that one's own voice has no influence.

The word is feminine because it ends in -heit. Nouns with this ending are almost always feminine in German. Therefore, the correct article is die.

⚠️ It's an abstract concept and usually used in the singular.

Article rules for der, die, and das

Grammar Spotlight: Declension of die Politikverdrossenheit

Since "Politikverdrossenheit" is a feminine noun (identifiable by the -heit ending), the article is die. It is typically only used in the singular because it describes an abstract concept. A plural form ("die Politikverdrossenheiten") is grammatically possible but very uncommon.

Example Sentences

1. Die wachsende Politikverdrossenheit in der Bevölkerung bereitet vielen Soziologen Sorgen.
   (The growing political disillusionment among the population worries many sociologists.)
2. Man führt die niedrige Wahlbeteiligung oft auf eine weit verbreitete Politikverdrossenheit zurück.
   (Low voter turnout is often attributed to widespread political disillusionment.)
3. Kann man etwas gegen die Politikverdrossenheit tun?
   (Can anything be done about political disillusionment?)

Usage Context: When to use Politikverdrossenheit

The term die Politikverdrossenheit is frequently used in political discussions, the media, and social science analyses. It describes a societal phenomenon often related to the following topics:

• Low voter turnout (niedrige Wahlbeteiligung)
• Increase in protest voters (Zunahme von Protestwählern)
• Distrust of politicians and institutions (Misstrauen gegenüber Politikern und Institutionen)
• Feeling of inadequate representation (Gefühl mangelnder Repräsentation)
• Complex political processes perceived as non-transparent (undurchsichtige politische Prozesse)

It shouldn't be simply confused with lack of interest (Desinteresse). Politikverdrossenheit often implies a prior (disappointed) expectation or a feeling of frustration, whereas Desinteresse suggests a more neutral indifference.

Related terms include Politikmüdigkeit (political fatigue) or Staatsverdrossenheit (disillusionment with the state), which have similar but not identical nuances.

Handy Mnemonics

Article Mnemonic: Remember that nouns ending in -heit (like Klugheit - cleverness, Schönheit - beauty, Krankheit - illness) are feminine in German. Think of the ending '-heit' as a feminine marker: die Krankheit, die Schönheit, die Politikverdrossenheit.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone is so annoyed and disappointed by Politik (politics) that they become completely verdrossen (sullen, disgruntled). This state is called die Politikverdrossenheit.

Word Field: Synonyms & Antonyms

A Little Political Chuckle 😉

Fragt ein Bürger den anderen: „Sag mal, glaubst du eigentlich noch, was die Politiker versprechen?“
(One citizen asks another: "Tell me, do you still believe what the politicians promise?")

Antwortet der andere: „Klar! Nur nicht mehr in der Reihenfolge, in der sie es versprechen.“
(The other replies: "Sure! Just not in the order they promise it.")

(Perhaps a reason for Politikverdrossenheit?)

Poetic Thoughts on Political Disillusionment

Die Reden klingen hohl und leer,
Verständnis fällt den Bürgern schwer.
Versprechen schwinden wie der Rauch,
Enttäuschung macht sich breit im Bauch.
Man wendet sich vom Streiten ab,
Die Wahlurne wird fast zum Grab
Der Hoffnung, die einst hell gebrannt.
Verdrossenheit im ganzen Land.

--- English Translation ---

The speeches sound hollow and empty,
Understanding is hard for citizens.
Promises vanish like smoke,
Disappointment spreads in the gut.
People turn away from the arguments,
The ballot box almost becomes the grave
Of the hope that once burned bright.
Disillusionment throughout the land.

Who Am I? A Political Riddle

Ich bin ein Gefühl, oft schwer und grau,
Entsteh’, wenn Bürger nicht mehr trau’n.
Ich wachse, wenn die Worte lügen,
Und Taten sich nicht richtig fügen.
Ich drück’ die Stimmung, senk’ die Wahl,
Bin vielen eine stille Qual.
Man nennt mich oft in ernster Rund’ –
Ein langer Name tut sich kund.

--- English Translation & Clues ---

I am a feeling, often heavy and gray,
I arise when citizens no longer trust.
I grow when words lie,
And actions don't align properly.
I dampen the mood, lower the vote,
For many, I am a silent torment.
I'm often mentioned in serious circles –
A long name makes itself known.

(Solution: die Politikverdrossenheit)

Trivia and Word Origins

Word Composition:

"Politikverdrossenheit" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Politik: (Noun) Politics; the sphere of public life concerned with governing the community.
• verdrossen: (Adjective) Disgruntled, sullen, listless, disappointed.
• -heit: (Suffix) Forms abstract nouns from adjectives, expressing a state or quality (like English -ness or -hood).

Cultural Significance:

The term gained significant popularity in Germany, particularly from the late 1980s and early 1990s onwards. This period saw growing dissatisfaction among parts of the population following reunification and various political scandals. It has since become a staple term in political discourse.