die
Tierquälerei
🐾 Meaning of Tierquälerei
Die Tierquälerei is the German term for animal cruelty or abuse. It refers to inflicting pain, suffering, or harm upon animals without a reasonable cause. This can occur through active mistreatment or passive neglect.
It's a legally relevant term in many countries and often punishable by law (see Tierschutzgesetz - Animal Welfare Act).
🚨 Important: The term carries a strong negative connotation and describes behaviour that is morally reprehensible and often illegal.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ei → mostly feminine.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Tierquälerei
The noun 'Tierquälerei' is feminine. It is primarily used in the singular form because it often describes the concept or the offense itself. The plural 'Tierquälereien' is grammatically correct but used less frequently, referring to specific acts or cases of animal cruelty.
Declension (Singular)| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Tierquälerei |
| Genitive | der | Tierquälerei |
| Dative | der | Tierquälerei |
| Accusative | die | Tierquälerei |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Tierquälereien |
| Genitive | der | Tierquälereien |
| Dative | den | Tierquälereien |
| Accusative | die | Tierquälereien |
📝 Example Sentences
- Die Polizei ermittelt wegen schwerer Tierquälerei.
(The police are investigating serious animal cruelty.) - Viele Menschen engagieren sich gegen Tierquälerei.
(Many people campaign against animal cruelty.) - Das Gesetz stellt Tierquälerei unter Strafe.
(The law penalizes animal cruelty.) - Solche grausamen Tierquälereien dürfen nicht toleriert werden. (Plural)
(Such cruel acts of animal abuse must not be tolerated.)
🗣️ Context and Usage of Tierquälerei
The term Tierquälerei is mainly used in ethical, legal, and social discussions about the treatment of animals.
- Legal Context: In legal texts (e.g., Tierschutzgesetz), police reports, court proceedings.
- Animal Welfare: In campaigns, reports, and appeals by animal welfare organizations.
- Everyday Language: To describe observed or suspected abuse or neglect of animals.
- Distinction: It's important to distinguish Tierquälerei from species-appropriate husbandry or necessary interventions (e.g., veterinary treatments), even if these might cause temporary discomfort to the animal. The crucial factor is often the lack of a 'reasonable cause' (vernünftiger Grund) and the extent of the suffering.
🧠 Memory Aids
Article 'die': Think of the suffering, die Qual (the agony), an animal endures. Nouns ending in '-ei' are almost always feminine (die Bäckerei - the bakery, die Streiterei - the argument, die Quälerei - the torment) – hence, die Tierquälerei.
Meaning: The word is composed of Tier (animal) and Quälerei (torment, cruelty). Picture someone tormenting (quälen) an animal – this visual helps remember the meaning 'animal cruelty'.
🔄 Related Terms: Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Tiermisshandlung: (Animal mistreatment) - Very similar, often interchangeable.
- Tiervergehen (rarer): (Animal offense) - More general term for offenses involving animals.
- Grausamkeit gegenüber Tieren: (Cruelty towards animals) - Describes the attitude or action.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- Tierschutz: (Animal welfare/protection) - Active effort for the well-being of animals.
- Tierliebe: (Love for animals) - Emotional affection towards animals.
- Artgerechte Haltung: (Species-appropriate husbandry) - Keeping animals according to their natural needs.
- Tierpflege: (Animal care) - Taking care of an animal.
⚠️ Caution: Words like Tierhaltung (animal keeping) or Tiernutzung (animal use) are neutral and not direct opposites, as they can be carried out cruelly or in an animal-friendly manner.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Tierschützer den Computer ausgeschaltet?
Er wollte nicht, dass die Maus unter Tierquälerei leidet!🖱️
---
Why did the animal rights activist turn off the computer?
He didn't want the mouse to suffer from animal cruelty!🖱️
(Note: This joke is intended to lighten the mood, not to trivialize the topic.)
📜 Poetic Words
Ein stummer Schrei, ein Blick voll Pein,
so darf kein Lebewesen sein.
Die Tierquälerei, ein dunkler Fleck,
nimmt Würde weg, verfolgt nur Zweck.
Doch Herz und Hand, zum Schutz bereit,
kämpfen für Gerechtigkeit.
---
A silent scream, a look of pain,
no living creature should sustain.
Animal cruelty, a dark stain,
takes dignity, pursues but gain.
But heart and hand, ready to shield,
fight for justice on this field.
❓ A Little Riddle
Ich bin ein Wort, das weh tut sehr,
beschreibe Leid und Schmerz noch mehr.
Gesetze gibt's, die mich verbieten,
doch leider werd' ich oft gelitten.
Ich zeige an, wenn's Tieren schlecht ergeht,
durch Menschenhand, die Unrecht sät.
Was bin ich?
... Die Tierquälerei
---
I am a word that hurts a lot,
describing suffering, pain, and rot.
There are laws that forbid me,
but sadly, I often cause misery.
I show when animals are treated wrong,
by human hands, where injustice throngs.
What am I?
... Tierquälerei (Animal cruelty)
💡 More to Know
Word Composition: The word is a compound noun made of:
- Tier (das) - animal
- Quälerei (die) - torment, agony, drudgery (derived from 'quälen' - to torment, to torture)
Legal Aspect: In Germany, Tierquälerei is a criminal offense according to § 17 of the Animal Welfare Act (Tierschutzgesetz - TierSchG) and can be punished with imprisonment up to three years or a fine.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Tierquälerei?
The word "Tierquälerei" is feminine. The correct article is die. So you say: die Tierquälerei.