die  Sklaverei

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/sklaˈveːʁaɪ̯/

📖 What does "die Sklaverei" mean?

Die Sklaverei (noun, feminine) refers to a system where human beings are treated as the property of others. They are deprived of their freedom and forced to work with little or no compensation. Sklaverei is a state of complete lack of rights and dependency.

It is a severe crime against humanity and is internationally condemned today, although modern forms of slavery (e.g., human trafficking, forced labor) unfortunately still exist.

⚠️ The term is heavily loaded historically and socio-politically and should be used thoughtfully.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar of Sklaverei in Detail

The noun "Sklaverei" is feminine. The correct article is die.

Although Sklaverei is often used as an uncountable concept, a plural form exists ("die Sklavereien"), which refers to different forms, systems, or historical instances of slavery.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

(Rarely used, refers to different types/instances of slavery)

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Sklaverei wurde in vielen Ländern erst im 19. Jahrhundert abgeschafft.
   (Slavery was abolished in many countries only in the 19th century.)
2. Der Kampf gegen die Sklaverei war lang und schwierig.
   (The fight against slavery was long and difficult.)
3. Moderne Formen der Sklaverei sind eine globale Herausforderung.
   (Modern forms of slavery are a global challenge.)
4. Historiker untersuchen die Sklavereien verschiedener Epochen und Kulturen.
   (Historians study the slaveries of different eras and cultures.)

🗣️ How to use "Sklaverei"

"Die Sklaverei" is primarily used in historical, social, political, and ethical contexts.

• Historical Context: Describing past social systems (e.g., in the Roman Empire, during the colonization of the Americas). Example: Die Geschichte der transatlantischen Sklaverei ist ein dunkles Kapitel. (The history of transatlantic slavery is a dark chapter.)
• Political/Legal Context: Discussing human rights, the abolition of slavery, combating modern forms. Example: Die Vereinten Nationen verurteilen jede Form der Sklaverei. (The United Nations condemn every form of slavery.)
• Ethical/Philosophical Context: Debates about freedom, human dignity, and justice. Example: Die Sklaverei widerspricht fundamentalen ethischen Prinzipien. (Slavery fundamentally contradicts ethical principles.)

Typical Collocations:

• Abschaffung der Sklaverei (abolition of slavery)
• Opfer der Sklaverei (victims of slavery)
• Formen der Sklaverei (forms of slavery)
• Bekämpfung der Sklaverei (combating slavery)

It's important to use the term precisely and in the correct context due to its serious implications.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

For the Article (die): Think of die Freiheit (freedom), which is the opposite of Sklaverei. Both end in "-ei" and are feminine in German.

For the Meaning: Imagine someone in heavy chains saying "Ich bin ein Sklave - das ist Sklaverei!" The image of unfreedom helps anchor the meaning.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

🚨 Caution: Although similar, words like Leibeigenschaft have more specific historical meanings than Sklaverei.

😂 A Little Joke (Use with Care)

German:

Warum war der Besen so schlecht gelaunt?

Weil er immer nur Sklavenarbeit machen musste!

English Translation:

Why was the broom in such a bad mood?

Because it always had to do slave labor!

(Note: Jokes about slavery itself are generally inappropriate. This is a harmless pun attempt using the German term 'Sklavenarbeit' - slave labor/drudgery.)

✍️ Poem about Sklaverei

German:

Die Kette schwer, der Wille klein,
Geraubte Freiheit, bittrer Schein.
Die Sklaverei, ein dunkler Fleck,
Nimmt Würde fort, lässt Schmerz zurück.
Doch Hoffnung keimt, wo Mut erwacht,
Für eine Welt in Licht und Macht –
Der Freiheit Macht, für jedermann,
Dass Sklaverei nie siegen kann.

English Translation:

The chain heavy, the will small,
Stolen freedom, bitter pall.
Slavery (Die Sklaverei), a dark stain,
Takes dignity, leaves back pain.
But hope sprouts where courage wakes,
For a world that light and power makes –
The power of freedom, for everyone,
So slavery can ne'er outrun.

❓ Riddle

German:

Ich bin ein Zustand, keine Wahl,
beraube Menschen ihrer Zahl
an Rechten, Freiheit, eig'nem Willen,
muss ihren Geist mit Furcht erfüllen.
Historisch oft, modern versteckt,
bin ich ein Unrecht, unentdeckt?
Was bin ich?

English Translation:

I am a state, not a choice,
I rob people of their voice,
Of rights, of freedom, of their own will,
Must their spirit with fear fulfill.
Often historical, hidden today,
Am I an injustice, come what may?
What am I?

Solution: die Sklaverei (slavery)

💡 Other Information

Word Origin (Etymology):

The German word "Sklaverei" derives from "Sklave" (slave). "Sklave" comes from the Medieval Latin word "sclavus", which originally meant "Slav". This originates from the fact that during the early Middle Ages, many Slavic people were captured and enslaved by Germanic and Byzantine rulers.

International Prohibition:

Sklaverei is prohibited by international agreements such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 4).