die  Stabilität

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʃtabilɪˈtɛːt/

🏛️ What does "die Stabilität" mean?

Die Stabilität describes the state of being firm, constant, and balanced (Festsein, Beständigkeit, Gleichgewicht). It is the opposite of variability or uncertainty. The word is used in many contexts:

• Political/Social: A state without major unrest or upheaval (e.g., politische Stabilität - political stability).
• Economic: A situation with low fluctuations in prices, currency, and growth (e.g., Preisstabilität - price stability, finanzielle Stabilität - financial stability).
• Technical/Physical: The ability of a structure or system to withstand loads or remain in a state of equilibrium (e.g., die Stabilität eines Gebäudes - the stability of a building, die Stabilität eines Ökosystems - the stability of an ecosystem).
• Psychological: Inner balance and resilience to stress (e.g., emotionale Stabilität - emotional stability).

It is an abstract noun, mostly used in the singular.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Stabilität

"Stabilität" is a feminine noun. The article is die. It is mostly used in the singular. A plural form ("Stabilitäten") is very rare and usually refers to different types or instances of stability.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Stabilität der Brücke wurde von Ingenieuren überprüft.
   (The stability of the bridge was checked by engineers.)
2. Nach Jahren der Krise sehnen sich die Menschen nach wirtschaftlicher Stabilität.
   (After years of crisis, people long for economic stability.)
3. Ihre emotionale Stabilität half ihr durch die schwierige Zeit.
   (Her emotional stability helped her through the difficult time.)
4. Die Regierung arbeitet daran, die politische Stabilität im Land zu gewährleisten.
   (The government is working to ensure political stability in the country.)

💡 How "Stabilität" is used

"Stabilität" is a commonly used word, especially in more formal contexts like news, politics, economics, and science. It describes a desirable state of firmness and security.

• Typical Collocations: People often talk about politische, wirtschaftliche, finanzielle, soziale, emotionale, psychische, strukturelle or chemische Stabilität (political, economic, financial, social, emotional, psychological, structural, or chemical stability). Common phrases also include Stabilität gewährleisten / sichern / wiederherstellen / verlieren (to guarantee / secure / restore / lose stability).
• Abstract Concept: Since it's a state, you can't directly touch Stabilität, but its effects are often measurable or noticeable (e.g., stable prices, a secure building, a balanced person).
• Distinction: While Sicherheit (security/safety) often refers to protection from external danger, Stabilität relates more to internal firmness and resilience against fluctuations or disturbances. Beständigkeit (constancy) emphasizes durability over time.

🧠 Mnemonics for Stabilität

For the article: Many German nouns ending in -tät (like Qualität, Universität, Realität) are feminine (die). Think: The reality (die Realität) is that the university (die Universität) has quality (die Qualität) and needs stability (die Stabilität). All use die!

For the meaning: The word sounds very similar to the English "stability". Imagine a very stable shelf that doesn't wobble – it has Stabilität.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Statiker den Bauherrn: "Ist die Stabilität des neuen Hauses wirklich wichtig?"
Sagt der Bauherr: "Nur, wenn es stehen bleiben soll!"

(The structural engineer asks the client: "Is the stability of the new house really important?"
The client replies: "Only if it's supposed to stay standing!")

📜 Poem about Stability

Die Stabilität, ein Fels so fest,
Hält stand, wenn Sturm und Wandel presst.
In Politik, im Herzen, Stein auf Stein,
Lässt sie uns sicher und geborgen sein.
Ein Anker in der wilden Flut,
Verleiht Beständigkeit und Mut.

(Stability, a rock so firm,
Withstands when storm and change affirm.
In politics, in heart, stone upon stone,
It lets us be secure and safely known.
An anchor in the wild flood's sway,
Lends constancy and courage on the way.)

🧩 Riddle

Ich bin das Gegenteil von Wanken,
Geliebt von Politik und Banken.
Ich halte Brücken, Geist und Staat,
Bin oft ein schwer erreichter Pfad.

Was bin ich?

(I am the opposite of swaying,
Loved by politics and banking.
I support bridges, mind, and state,
Am often a path achieved quite late.

What am I?)
(Answer: die Stabilität / stability)

🌐 Other Information

• Word Origin: The word comes from the Latin stabilitas (firmness, steadfastness), derived from stabilis (standing firm, stable).
• Related Words:
  • stabil (adjective): stable, firm, steady
  • stabilisieren (verb): to stabilize, to steady
  • Stabilisator (noun): stabilizer (e.g., in chemistry or engineering)
  • Destabilisierung (noun): destabilization