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Selbsthilfegruppe
🤝 What exactly is a 'Selbsthilfegruppe'?
A Selbsthilfegruppe is a group of people who suffer from a similar problem, illness, addiction, or difficult life situation. The goal is the mutual exchange of experiences, information, and support to find solutions together and cope better with the situation. It is based on the principle of Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe (help for self-help).
The word is feminine, so the article is always die: die Selbsthilfegruppe.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: die Selbsthilfegruppe
The noun 'Selbsthilfegruppe' is feminine. Here are the declension tables:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die | Selbsthilfegruppe |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der | Selbsthilfegruppe |
| Dative (To/for whom?) | der | Selbsthilfegruppe |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die | Selbsthilfegruppe |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Selbsthilfegruppen |
| Genitive | der | Selbsthilfegruppen |
| Dative | den | Selbsthilfegruppen |
| Accusative | die | Selbsthilfegruppen |
Example Sentences
- Er nimmt regelmäßig an den Treffen der Selbsthilfegruppe teil.
He regularly attends the meetings of the support group. - Die Selbsthilfegruppe bietet einen geschützten Raum für offenen Austausch.
The support group offers a safe space for open exchange. - Viele Betroffene finden Halt in Selbsthilfegruppen.
Many affected people find support in self-help groups.
🗣️ How and When to Use 'Selbsthilfegruppe'
The term Selbsthilfegruppe is used to describe groups where people with the same or similar challenges meet voluntarily, often without professional leadership, to support each other.
Typical contexts include:
- Chronic illnesses (e.g., diabetes, cancer)
- Mental health conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety disorders)
- Addictions (e.g., alcoholism, drug dependency)
- Social problems or life crises (e.g., grief, unemployment, single parenthood)
It's an established term in social and medical fields in German-speaking countries. Sometimes the term Unterstützungsgruppe (support group) is used synonymously, although 'Selbsthilfegruppe' emphasizes the aspect of self-initiative more strongly.
💡 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
For the article 'die': Remember that die Gruppe (the group) ends in '-e', like many feminine nouns. A 'Selbsthilfegruppe' is a specific kind of Gruppe, so it keeps the feminine article die.
For the meaning: Break it down: Selbst (self) + Hilfe (help) + Gruppe (group). Imagine people helping themselves by forming a group. It's a self-help group.
🔄 Similar and Contrasting Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Unterstützungsgruppe: (Support group) Very similar, emphasizes mutual support.
- Gesprächskreis: (Discussion group/circle) Focuses on exchange through conversation.
- Betroffenengruppe: (Group for affected individuals) Highlights that members share the same issue.
- Anonyme Alkoholiker (AA) / Narcotics Anonymous (NA) etc.: Specific names of well-known Selbsthilfegruppen.
Antonyms (Opposite Concept)
- Einzeltherapie / Einzelberatung: (Individual therapy / counseling) Professional help for one person.
- Professionell geleitete Therapiegruppe: (Professionally led therapy group) A group guided by a therapist or doctor (unlike pure self-help).
- Isolation / Vereinsamung: (Isolation / loneliness) The state that Selbsthilfegruppen aim to overcome.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum treffen sich Glühbirnen in einer Selbsthilfegruppe?
Weil sie alle mal ausgebrannt waren und wieder gemeinsam leuchten wollen! 💡
(Why do lightbulbs meet in a support group? Because they were all burnt out and want to shine together again!)
✍️ A Poem about the Group
Im Kreis vereint, Gesicht an Gesicht,
teilt man die Last, die Sorgen zerbricht.
Die Selbsthilfegruppe, ein sicherer Ort,
gemeinsam stark, ein tröstendes Wort.
Verstanden fühlen, nicht allein,
so kann die Seele langsam heil'n.
(United in a circle, face to face,
sharing the burden, breaking sorrow's trace.
The self-help group, a safe space found,
together strong, a comforting sound.
Feeling understood, not alone,
thus the soul can slowly be sown (and healed).)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin ein Kreis, doch ohne Zwang,
hier teilen Menschen Leid und Drang.
Man hilft sich selbst, mit Rat und Ohr,
kommt stärker aus dem Tor hervor.
Wer oder was bin ich?(Auflösung: die Selbsthilfegruppe)
(I am a circle, yet without force,
here people share suffering and course.
They help themselves, with counsel and ear,
emerging stronger, conquering fear.
Who or what am I?
Answer: die Selbsthilfegruppe / the self-help group)
🧩 Word Building Blocks: Die Selbsthilfegruppe
The word 'Selbsthilfegruppe' is a compound noun, made up of three parts:
- Selbst: (Self) Refers to one's own person, self-initiative.
- Hilfe: (Help) Signifies support, assistance.
- Gruppe: (Group) A number of people coming together.
Together, it describes a group in which members help each other through their own efforts.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Selbsthilfegruppe?
The word "Selbsthilfegruppe" is a feminine noun. The correct article is always die: die Selbsthilfegruppe (the support group - nominative/accusative singular), der Selbsthilfegruppe (of the/to the support group - genitive/dative singular), die Selbsthilfegruppen (the support groups - plural).
