die  Scheu

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʃɔʏ/

🫣 What exactly does "die Scheu" mean?

Die Scheu is a feminine noun primarily describing a feeling of reserve, shyness, or timidity, especially in social situations or when dealing with the unknown. It can refer to a character trait (general shyness) or express a specific aversion or fear of something (e.g., die Scheu vor Spinnen - fear of spiders, die Scheu vor öffentlichen Auftritten - fear of public speaking).

• Social reserve/Shyness: The most common meaning. Example: Das Kind überwand seine Scheu und sprach die Lehrerin an. (The child overcame its shyness and spoke to the teacher.)
• Aversion/Fear/Reluctance: An inhibition or fear of doing something or approaching something. Example: Er hatte eine unüberwindbare Scheu vor dem Zahnarzt. (He had an insurmountable fear/aversion towards the dentist.)
• In animals: Describes the behavior of animals avoiding humans or danger. Example: Die Scheu des Wildes vor den Jägern. (The shyness/wariness of the game towards the hunters.)

⚠️ Attention: Do not confuse it with the adjective scheu, which means "shy" or "timid" (e.g., ein scheues Reh - a shy deer).

🧐 Grammar of "die Scheu" in Detail

"Die Scheu" is a feminine noun. It is mostly used in the singular because it describes an abstract concept. A plural form ("die Scheuen") is very uncommon and would typically refer to shy people or animals, which is usually expressed differently.

Declension Singular

Example Sentences for Grammar

1. Nominative: Die Scheu hinderte ihn daran, Fragen zu stellen.
   (Shyness prevented him from asking questions.)
2. Genitive: Trotz der Scheu näherte sich das Kätzchen langsam.
   (Despite its shyness, the kitten approached slowly.)
3. Dative: Mit großer Scheu betrat sie den Raum.
   (With great shyness/timidity, she entered the room.)
4. Accusative: Er legte seine anfängliche Scheu schnell ab.
   (He quickly overcame his initial shyness.)

💬 How to use "die Scheu"?

"Die Scheu" is used to express various forms of reserve, timidity, or fear.

• Typical Collocations: You can "Scheu vor etwas (Dativ) haben" (to have a shyness/fear of something - e.g., Scheu vor Hunden, Scheu vor der Prüfung). You can "seine Scheu ablegen" (to shed one's shyness) or "überwinden" (to overcome). Someone might not do something "aus Scheu" (out of shyness).
• Context: Often used in the context of social interactions (Schüchternheit), but also for specific fears or when animals avoid humans.
• Distinction: While Angst (fear, anxiety) is often stronger and more specific (e.g., Angst vor Spinnen), Scheu describes more of a general inhibition or discomfort. Schüchternheit (shyness) is a very close synonym but usually relates more strongly to social situations and personality.
• Figurative use: Sometimes used figuratively, e.g., "keine Scheu vor großen Namen haben" (to not be intimidated by big names/authorities).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Think of die Schüchternheit (shyness) or die Zurückhaltung (reserve) – both are feminine, just like die Scheu. Or imagine die Queen 👑 (feminine reference) blushing out of Scheu.

Meaning Mnemonic: The German word "Scheu" sounds quite a bit like the English word "shy". Someone who is shy often has Scheu.

↔️ Opposites and Synonyms: What relates to "Scheu"?

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Scheune (die): (Barn) An agricultural building. Sounds similar but unrelated to Scheu!
• Scheusal (das): (Monster, fiend) A hideous, frightening person or creature.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen schüchterne Computer keine Kekse an?
... Weil sie die Cookies scheuen! 😉

(Why don't shy computers accept cookies?
... Because they're shy/afraid ('scheuen') of cookies!) (Pun on 'scheuen' meaning 'to shy away from' and 'Cookies' as browser data)

✍️ A Poem about Shyness (die Scheu)

Die Scheu, ein leises Zagen,
lässt manche Worte nicht wagen.
Ein Blick, der schnell zur Seite flieht,
weil man sich nicht zu zeigen sieht.
Doch oft, wenn man die Scheu vergisst,
entdeckt man, was verborgen ist.

(Shyness, a quiet hesitation,
prevents some words from daring expression.
A glance that quickly flees aside,
because one doesn't want to be espied.
But often, when shyness is forgot,
one discovers what was hidden spot.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich wohne oft im stillen Herzen,
verursach manchmal leichte Schmerzen.
Ich lasse Wangen rot erglühen,
und manchen vor dem Reden fliehen.
Ich bin die Schwester der Zurückhaltung,
was bin ich für 'ne Haltung?

(I often dwell in quiet hearts,
sometimes cause gentle smarts.
I make cheeks glow with a red hue,
and make some flee from speaking too.
I am the sister of restraint,
what attitude am I, quaint?)

Solution: die Scheu (shyness/timidity)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

• Adjective: The corresponding adjective is "scheu". Example: ein scheues Kind (a shy child), ein scheues Reh (a shy/timid deer).
• Etymology: The word comes from Old High German "sciuhi" (timidity) and is related to the English word "shy".
• Compounds: You can also find "Scheu" in compound words like Menschenscheu (shyness/fear of people, anthropophobia) or Wasserscheu (fear of water, hydrophobia - also a symptom of rabies).