die  Schwächung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃvɛçʊŋ/

📉 What does Schwächung mean?

Die Schwächung is a German noun that translates to weakening, attenuation, debilitation, or impairment. It describes the process or state of becoming weaker or being weakened. It signifies a decrease in strength, power, intensity, or influence. The word can be used in various contexts:

• Physical/Medical: A Schwächung of the immune system, a Schwächung of the body due to illness.
• Economic: A Schwächung of the currency, a Schwächung of the economy.
• Political/Military: A Schwächung of the opponent's position, a Schwächung of defense capabilities.
• Figurative: A Schwächung of an argument, a Schwächung of morale.

It's a noun derived from the verb schwächen (to weaken) and is always feminine (die).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📜 Grammar of die Schwächung Explained

The noun „die Schwächung“ is feminine. Like most feminine nouns ending in -ung, its plural form is typically formed by adding -en. The plural of „Schwächung“ is „Schwächungen“.

Declension:

Example Sentences:

1. Die lange Krankheit führte zu einer deutlichen Schwächung ihres Körpers.
   (The long illness led to a significant weakening of her body.)
2. Die wirtschaftliche Schwächung des Landes ist besorgniserregend.
   (The economic weakening of the country is worrying.)
3. Man beobachtete eine Schwächung der Verhandlungsposition.
   (A weakening of the negotiating position was observed.)
4. Es gab mehrere Schwächungen der Verteidigungslinie während des Angriffs.
   (There were several weakenings/breaches of the defense line during the attack.)

💡 How to use Schwächung?

„Die Schwächung“ is used to describe a state or process involving a decrease in strength or intensity. The specific context dictates the precise meaning:

• Medicine/Biology: Often used in relation to diseases, the immune system, or general physical condition. Example: Eine Schwächung des Herzmuskels (A weakening of the heart muscle).
• Economy/Finance: Refers to a decrease in value (currency) or performance (economy, market position). Example: Die Schwächung des Euro gegenüber dem Dollar (The weakening of the Euro against the Dollar).
• Politics/Strategy: Describes the loss of influence, power, or military strength. Example: Die gezielte Schwächung des politischen Gegners (The targeted weakening of the political opponent).
• Physics/Technology: Can mean the reduction in intensity of signals, radiation, or forces (e.g., attenuation, damping). Example: Die Schwächung des Funksignals durch Wände (The attenuation of the radio signal through walls).
• Argumentation/Discourse: A reduction in persuasiveness or validity. Example: Die Schwächung seiner Argumentation durch neue Beweise (The weakening of his argumentation by new evidence).

⚠️ Don't confuse „Schwächung“ with „Schwäche“ (weakness). „Schwäche“ typically describes the state of being weak (having a weakness), while „Schwächung“ emphasizes the process of becoming weaker or the result of that process.

🧠 Mnemonics for Schwächung

Article Mnemonic: Most German nouns ending in -ung are feminine (die). Think of the English word ending - many German words with the equivalent endung are feminine. So: die Schwächung.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone becoming schwach (weak in German, sounds a bit like 'shwack'). The process of them getting whacked and losing strength is the Schwächung.

↔️ Opposites and Similar Words: Synonyms & Antonyms

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Arzt den Bodybuilder: „Haben Sie irgendwelche Schwächen?“
Antwortet der Bodybuilder: „Ja, Schokolade!“
Der Arzt: „Ich meinte eher eine körperliche Schwächung…“
Bodybuilder: „Ach so, nein, außer vielleicht nach zu viel Schokolade!“

Translation:

The doctor asks the bodybuilder: "Do you have any weaknesses (Schwächen)?"
The bodybuilder replies: "Yes, chocolate!"
The doctor: "I meant more of a physical weakening (körperliche Schwächung)..."
Bodybuilder: "Oh, I see. No, except maybe after too much chocolate!"

✍️ A Poem about Weakening

Die Kraft, sie schwindet, Zug um Zug,
Ein leiser Hauch, ein schwerer Trug.
Die Schwächung schleicht sich langsam an,
Nimmt Stärke fort, fängt neu zu planen an.
Ob Körper, Geist, ob Staat, ob Währung,
Sie bringt Verfall und oft Entbehrung.
Doch nach der Schwächung, tief und kalt,
Kann neue Stärke finden Halt.

Translation:

Strength fades away, bit by bit,
A gentle breath, a heavy trick.
The weakening slowly creeps near,
Takes strength away, starts planning anew, it's clear.
Be it body, mind, or state, or currency's plight,
It brings decay and often hardship's night.
But after weakening, deep and cold,
New strength can find a steady hold.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin ein Prozess, kein fester Stand,
Nehm' Kraft und Einfluss aus der Hand.
Mal treff' ich Muskeln, mal den Kurs,
Mal ein Argument im Diskurs.
Mein Gegenteil ist Stärkung klar.
Wie heiß ich wohl? Das ist doch wahr!

Translation:

I am a process, not a fixed state,
Taking strength and influence from the hand, it's fate.
Sometimes I hit muscles, sometimes the rate (currency),
Sometimes an argument in discourse, sealing its state.
My opposite is 'strengthening', it's clear.
What am I called? It's true, my dear!

🧩 Word Building & More

Word Formation:

The word „Schwächung“ is a noun formed from the verb „schwächen“ (to weaken) by adding the suffix -ung.

• Root: schwach (adjective: weak)
• Verb: schwächen (to weaken)
• Noun via Suffix -ung: Schwächung (weakening)

This type of word formation (verb + -ung) is very common in German and almost always results in feminine nouns (die).