die  Traurigkeit

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈtʁaʊ̯ʁɪçkaɪ̯t/

😢 What does "die Traurigkeit" mean?

Die Traurigkeit describes the state or feeling of being sad. It's an emotional state often triggered by loss, disappointment, or unhappiness. It's an abstract noun derived from the adjective traurig (sad).

As a noun ending in -keit, it is always feminine and takes the article die. There aren't different meanings depending on different articles, as only "die" is correct.

🚨 Attention: Don't confuse die Traurigkeit (general feeling of sadness) with die Trauer (grief, a specific, often longer process after a major loss, e.g., death).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Die Traurigkeit

The noun "Traurigkeit" is feminine (weiblich). It is usually only used in the singular because it describes an abstract feeling. A plural form ("die Traurigkeiten") is grammatically possible but very rare and tends to be poetic or used specifically to denote different kinds or instances of sadness.

Declension (Singular)

Example Sentences

• Nach der schlechten Nachricht überkam ihn eine tiefe Traurigkeit.
  (After the bad news, a deep sadness overcame him.)
• Ihre Augen spiegelten die Traurigkeit wider, die sie fühlte.
  (Her eyes reflected the sadness she felt.)
• Manchmal ist es schwer, die Gründe für seine eigene Traurigkeit zu verstehen.
  (Sometimes it's hard to understand the reasons for one's own sadness.)
• In Momenten der Traurigkeit suchte er Trost in der Musik.
  (In moments of sadness, he sought comfort in music.)

💡 When to use "die Traurigkeit"?

"Die Traurigkeit" is used to describe the general feeling of unhappiness or dejection. It's a very common word in everyday conversation as well as in literature and psychology.

• Everyday language: Describing one's own or others' feelings ("Ich spüre eine große Traurigkeit in mir." - I feel a great sadness within me.)
• Literature/Art: Portraying melancholic moods or characters.
• Psychology: Referring to a symptom or state, often in the context of mood disorders.

Distinguishing from similar words:

• Die Trauer: Stronger and more specific than Traurigkeit, usually related to a concrete loss (e.g., death) and a longer process. It translates to 'grief' or 'mourning'.
• Der Kummer: Often relates to worries or a specific reason for sorrow ('sorrow', 'grief', 'trouble'), but can be used similarly to Traurigkeit.
• Die Melancholie: More like a profound, often causeless sadness ('melancholy'), sometimes with an almost poetic or pensive undertone.
• Der Trübsinn: A depressed, joyless mood ('gloom', 'dejection'), often lasting longer.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Traurigkeit"

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in -keit (like Fröhlichkeit - happiness, Heiterkeit - cheerfulness, Einsamkeit - loneliness) are almost always feminine in German. Think: The ability (-keit sounds a bit like 'kite' maybe?) to be sad is feminine: die Traurigkeit. Or simply remember the rule: -keit → die.

Meaning Mnemonic: The word contains "traurig", which means "sad". Being traurig is the state of Traurigkeit. Simple connection!

🔄 Related and Opposite Words

⚠️ Similar sound, different meaning: Die Trauer (grief - see definition).

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Psychiater: "Was führt Sie zu mir?"
Patient: "Meine unglaubliche Traurigkeit, Herr Doktor. Ich habe das Gefühl, niemand versteht mich."
Psychiater: "Können Sie das bitte genauer erklären?"
Patient: "Hab ich doch gerade!"

Translation:
Psychiatrist asks: "What brings you to me?"
Patient: "My incredible sadness, Doctor. I feel like nobody understands me."
Psychiatrist: "Could you please explain that in more detail?"
Patient: "I just did!"

📜 A Short Poem

Die Traurigkeit, ein leiser Gast,
der manchmal tief im Herzen passt.
Ein grauer Schleier, schwer und dicht,
nimmt kurz der Sonne helles Licht.
Doch wie die Wolke weiterzieht,
auch sie vergeht, das Herz erblüht.

Translation:
Sadness, a quiet guest,
that sometimes fits deep in the chest.
A grey veil, heavy and dense,
briefly takes the sun's bright sense.
But as the cloud moves on its way,
it too shall pass, the heart blooms gay.

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich habe keinen Körper, doch fühle tief.
Ich komme oft, wenn man um etwas schlief,
das man verlor, oder was Sorgen schafft.
Manchmal bin ich leise, manchmal hab ich Kraft.
Mein Artikel ist weiblich, ich ende auf "-keit".
Wer bin ich, die Schwester der Einsamkeit?

Translation:
I have no body, yet I feel deep.
I often come when over something you weep,
that you lost, or what causes cares.
Sometimes I am quiet, sometimes my power flares.
My article is feminine, I end in "-keit".
Who am I, the sister of loneliness' plight?

Solution: die Traurigkeit

📌 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Traurigkeit" is a derived noun.

• Base: traurig (adjective meaning "sad")
• Suffix: -keit (a common suffix used to form feminine abstract nouns from adjectives, e.g., Schnelligkeit from schnell (fast), Möglichkeit from möglich (possible)).

Cultural Aspects: Sadness is a universal human emotion, but its expression and coping mechanisms can vary culturally. In German literature and music (e.g., Romanticism), the depiction of sadness and melancholy is a recurring theme.