die  Sitte

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈzɪtə/

📜 What exactly is 'die Sitte'?

The German word die Sitte (feminine) has two main meanings:

1. Custom, habit, tradition: Here, 'die Sitte' refers to established behaviours, rules, or customs within a society or group. It describes what is considered usual or traditional. Example: Es ist eine alte Sitte, zu Ostern Eier zu färben. (It's an old custom to dye eggs at Easter.)
2. Decency, morals, manners: In this meaning, 'die Sitte' (often in the plural: 'die Sitten') describes morally or socially accepted behaviour, propriety, and good manners. Example: Die guten Sitten verlangen, älteren Menschen den Platz anzubieten. (Good manners require offering one's seat to elderly people.)

⚠️ Sometimes the lines between the meanings blur, as customs often have moral components too.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar of 'die Sitte' in Detail

Die Sitte is a feminine noun.

Declension of 'die Sitte' (The Custom/Manner)

Example Sentences for Illustration

• Nominative: Die Sitte des Händeschüttelns ist weit verbreitet. (The custom of shaking hands is widespread.)
• Genitive: Er war sich der Bedeutung dieser Sitte bewusst. (He was aware of the significance of this custom.)
• Dative: Man folgt oft einer alten Sitte, ohne darüber nachzudenken. (One often follows an old custom without thinking about it.)
• Accusative: Wir müssen die Sitte respektieren. (We must respect the custom.)
• Plural: Die Sitten anderer Länder können faszinierend sein. (The customs of other countries can be fascinating.)
• Plural: Er hat schlechte Sitten. (He has bad manners.)

🗣️ How to Use 'die Sitte'?

The usage of die Sitte heavily depends on the context.

• As custom/tradition: Often used with adjectives like alt (old), lokal (local), fremd (foreign), verbreitet (widespread). Example: "Das ist hier so Sitte." (That's the custom here.)
• As decency/morals (often plural 'Sitten'): Frequently used with adjectives like gut (good), schlecht (bad), fein (fine), grob (rough) or in phrases like "gegen die guten Sitten verstoßen" (to offend against good manners/public decency). Example: "Seine Sitten sind unmöglich!" (His manners are impossible!)

Difference to similar words:

• Brauch (der): Similar to Sitte (meaning 1), but often more concrete, referring to a specific act or ceremony (Osterbrauch - Easter custom, Hochzeitsbrauch - wedding custom). 'Sitte' can be more general.
• Gewohnheit (die): More of a personal, regular action, not necessarily socially anchored like a 'Sitte'. (A habit).
• Anstand (der): Specifically refers to good behaviour and respect, similar to Sitte (meaning 2), but 'Sitten' (plural) is more commonly used to describe the overall package of behaviour (manners).
• Moral (die): Refers to the underlying ethical principles, while 'Sitte' often describes the outwardly visible, socially expected behaviour.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Sitte'

Article Mnemonic: Think of 'die Gesellschaft' (society) or 'die Tradition' (tradition). Many abstract nouns describing rules or norms are feminine in German. Die Regel (the rule), die Norm (the norm), die Sitte.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone sits ('Sitte') very properly, behaving according to all rules – these are good 'Sitten' (manners). Or think about how people sit during a traditional ceremony – that's the local 'Sitte' (custom).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Sitte

🚨 Caution: 'Gewohnheit' (habit) is often individual, whereas 'Sitte' (custom) is societal. 'Moral' (morality) is an internal principle, while 'Sitte' often refers to external behaviour.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Lehrer: "Fritzchen, was sind die Sitten und Gebräuche der Kannibalen?"
Fritzchen: "Sie empfangen jeden Fremden mit offenen Armen – und kochendem Wasser!"

Teacher asks: "Fritzchen, what are the customs and traditions of the cannibals?"
Fritzchen: "They welcome every stranger with open arms – and boiling water!"

✍️ Poem about die Sitte

Die Sitte, alt und wohlbekannt,
führt uns oft an der Hand.
Mal ist sie Brauch aus alter Zeit,
mal guter Anstand, weit und breit.

Man reicht die Hand, sagt 'Bitte', 'Danke',
so will's die feine Sitte, ohne Schwanke.
Doch Sitten ändern sich im Lauf,
nimm Neues und Altes gern in Kauf.

---
The custom, old and well-regarded,
Often leads us by the hand, guarded.
Sometimes a tradition from days of yore,
Sometimes good manners, wide to explore.

One shakes a hand, says 'Please' and 'Thanks',
So demands fine custom, without pranks.
But customs change as time flows past,
Accept the new and old, built to last.

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich bin nicht geschrieben, doch jeder kennt mich gut.
Ich zeige, was man tut und was man lässt, mit Mut.
Mal bin ich alt, ein Brauch im Land,
mal gutes Benehmen, Hand in Hand.

Was bin ich?(... Die Sitte)

---
I am not written, yet everyone knows me well.
I show what to do and what not, the stories I tell.
Sometimes I'm old, a custom in the nation,
Sometimes good manners, a social creation.

What am I?
(... Custom / Manners / die Sitte)

🧩 Other Interesting Aspects

Word Components & Related Words:

• sittlich: Adjective meaning morally sound, decent. (Opposite: unsittlich - immoral)
• Sittenverfall (der): The decline or decay of moral norms and good manners in a society.
• Sittenpolizei (die): (Often informal, but sometimes official) 'morality police', an entity that monitors adherence to customs and moral standards.
• gesittet: Adjective meaning well-behaved, decent, civilized.

Cultural Significance: The understanding of 'Sitten' (customs/manners) is highly culturally specific. What is considered polite and normal in one culture (a 'Sitte') might be seen as rude or strange in another.