die  Schande

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃandə/

🧐 What does "die Schande" mean?

Die Schande (noun, feminine) describes a state or action considered dishonorable, shameful, or morally reprehensible. It can refer to both the feeling of shame a person experiences and a public dishonor or scandal attached to a person, group, or thing.

• Subjective Shame: The internal feeling of having done something wrong or embarrassing.
• Objective Disgrace/Dishonor: The loss of reputation or respect in the eyes of others due to an action or state.
• Shameful Deed/Scandal: An act or event considered a great disgrace (eine große Schande).

⚠️ Important: The article for Schande is always "die". It typically doesn't have a commonly used plural form, although "die Schanden" exists grammatically, it's very rare and often archaic.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar of "die Schande" in Detail

"Schande" is a feminine noun. It is mostly used in the singular. The plural "die Schanden" is very uncommon.

Declension (Singular)

💡 Example Sentences

1. Das war eine große Schande für die ganze Familie.
   (That was a great disgrace for the whole family.)
2. Er empfand tiefe Schande über sein Verhalten.
   (He felt deep shame about his behavior.)
3. Schande über ihn, dass er sein Versprechen gebrochen hat!
   (Shame on him for breaking his promise!)
4. Sie versuchte, die Schande zu verbergen.
   (She tried to hide the disgrace.)

🗣️ How to use "Schande"?

"Schande" is used to express strong disapproval, disappointment, or moral condemnation.

• In a personal context: To express the feeling of being ashamed ("Ich empfinde Schande." - I feel shame.).
• In a social/public context: To describe actions or conditions that damage reputation or honor ("Das ist eine Schande für unsere Stadt." - That's a disgrace to our city.).
• As an exclamation: "Schande!" or "Schande über dich/ihn/sie!" (Shame on you/him/her!) as a direct expression of disapproval.
• In fixed expressions: "zu meiner/seiner/ihrer Schande muss ich gestehen..." (to my/his/her shame, I must confess... - used to introduce a shameful admission), "jemandem Schande machen" (to bring shame upon someone, to disgrace someone).

Distinction: While Peinlichkeit (embarrassment) describes social awkwardness or a minor mishap, Schande implies a deeper moral failing or a significant loss of honor.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Schande"

1. Article Mnemonic: Many German nouns ending in "-e" that represent abstract concepts (especially moral or social ones) are feminine (die Ehre - honor, die Würde - dignity, die Sünde - sin). Imagine: THE great, scarlet Schande (like 'The Scarlet Letter') is visible to all – associate the 'feminine' article `die` with this strong, often female-associated concept in literature.
2. Meaning Mnemonic: "Schande" sounds a bit like the English word "shunned". People who have brought Schande upon themselves or others are often shunned by society.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

Potential Confusion: Not directly confusable with other words, but the intensity distinguishes `Schande` from mere `Peinlichkeit` (embarrassment).

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Dieb die Seife gestohlen?
(Why did the thief steal the soap?)

Er wollte sich reinwaschen von seiner Schande!
(He wanted to wash himself clean of his shame/disgrace!)

✍️ Poem about Shame

Ein falsches Wort, ein Schritt zu weit,
(A wrong word, a step too far,)
Verloren ist die gute Zeit.
(Lost is the good time.)
Die Blicke bohren, kalt und schwer,
(The gazes pierce, cold and heavy,)
Das Herz voll Schande, leer und leer.
(The heart full of shame, empty and void.)
Ein roter Fleck auf weißer Wand,
(A red stain on a white wall,)
So brennt die Schande in das Land.
(Thus burns the shame/disgrace in the land.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Gefühl, das tief beschämt,
(I am a feeling that deeply shames,)
Ein Ruf, der durch Verrat gelähmt.
(A reputation paralyzed by betrayal.)
Man trägt mich schwer, will mich verstecken,
(One carries me heavily, wants to hide me,)
Will meinen Makel schnell zudecken.
(Wants to quickly cover my blemish.) Wer bin ich? / Who am I?

Lösung/Solution: die Schande (shame, disgrace)

🧐 Other Interesting Info

Word Origin: The word "Schande" comes from the Old High German word `scanta` or `scanda`, which meant something like "insult, mockery, shame".

Compounds: "Schande" is part of several compound words, such as:

• Schandfleck: Eyesore, blot on the landscape; also a stain on someone's reputation. (Literally 'shame spot')
• Schandmaul: Slanderer, gossipmonger. (Literally 'shame mouth')
• Schandtat: A particularly despicable, shameful act. (Literally 'shame deed')