die  Trunkenheit

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈtʁʊŋkənhaɪt/

📖 What does "die Trunkenheit" mean?

Die Trunkenheit refers to the state a person is in after consuming an intoxicating substance, usually alcohol. It describes the state of intoxication or drunkenness.

It is a feminine noun derived from the adjective trunken (drunk, intoxicated) and formed with the suffix -heit, which is often used to create abstract nouns describing a state or quality.

🚨 Attention: The term is often used in a legal context, e.g., in "Trunkenheit am Steuer" (drunkenness at the wheel), but can also generally describe the state of being drunk.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Trunkenheit

The word "Trunkenheit" is a feminine noun. It is almost exclusively used in the singular.

📝 Example Sentences

• Die Polizei stellte bei dem Fahrer eine erhebliche Trunkenheit fest. (The police determined significant drunkenness in the driver.)
• Seine Rede war von zunehmender Trunkenheit gezeichnet. (His speech was marked by increasing drunkenness.)
• Nach dem Fest herrschte allgemeine Trunkenheit. (After the party, there was general drunkenness.)
• Trunkenheit am Steuer ist eine Straftat. (Drunk driving is a criminal offense.)

🗣️ How is "Trunkenheit" used?

"Die Trunkenheit" is used to describe the state of being drunk. It often carries a more formal or legalistic connotation than the word "Betrunkenheit".

• Legal Context: Very common in relation to traffic offenses ("Trunkenheit im Verkehr" - drunkenness in traffic, "Trunkenheit am Steuer" - drunk driving) or other crimes committed under the influence of alcohol.
• Medical/Psychological Context: Description of the physiological or psychological state of intoxication.
• Literary/Elevated Context: Can also be used to describe a state of ecstasy or metaphorical intoxication, although this is less common.
• Everyday Language: Here, "Betrunkenheit" or simply "betrunken sein" (to be drunk) are often preferred. "Trunkenheit" sounds somewhat more elevated or official.

Difference from "Betrunkenheit": While both words are very similar, "Trunkenheit" is more frequently used in official, legal, or medical contexts, whereas "Betrunkenheit" is more colloquial.

💡 Mnemonics for Trunkenheit

Article Mnemonic: Many abstract nouns describing a state and ending in -heit or -keit are feminine in German (die). Think of die Gesundheit (health), die Fröhlichkeit (happiness), die Schönheit (beauty)... and also die Trunkenheit. It describes a state (heit) - and states ending in -heit usually take die.

Meaning Mnemonic: The word contains "trunken", which sounds like the English "drunken" and the German verb "trinken" (to drink). Someone who trinkt (drinks) too much reaches the state of Trunkenheit (drunkenness).

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but Confusing Words

• Die Trunksucht: Refers to alcoholism, alcohol dependency, not the acute state of being drunk.

😄 A Little Joke

German:
Richter zum Angeklagten: "Sie sind wegen Trunkenheit am Steuer angeklagt. Haben Sie etwas zu Ihrer Verteidigung zu sagen?"
Angeklagter: "Ja, Herr Richter! Ich war nicht betrunken, ich war nur… äh… in einem Zustand erhöhter Geselligkeit!"

English Translation:
Judge to the defendant: "You are accused of driving under the influence. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"
Defendant: "Yes, Your Honor! I wasn't drunk, I was just... uh... in a state of heightened sociability!"

✍️ Poem about Trunkenheit

German:
Die Welt verschwimmt, die Sinne dreh'n,
Die Trunkenheit lässt alles schön erscheinen,
Doch Vorsicht ist geboten, das muss man seh'n,
Sonst wacht man auf mit Kopf und Sorgenpeinen. Der klare Kopf, die Nüchternheit,
Sind oft der bessere Begleiter durch die Zeit.

English Translation:
The world blurs, the senses spin,
Drunkenness makes everything seem fine,
But caution is advised, one must begin
To see, or wake with aches and worries whine.
A clear head, sobriety,
Are often better guides through time's decree.

❓ Riddle

German:
Ich komme oft nach viel Genuss,
Verändere den Weltenfluss.
Im Recht bin ich ein ernstes Ding,
Besonders wenn ich Auto bring'.
Mein Name klingt nach viel zu viel Getränk,
Was bin ich? Gib's mir als Geschenk!

Lösung: die Trunkenheit

English Translation:
I often come after much delight,
And change the world's flow in plain sight.
In law, I am a serious thing,
Especially when a car I bring.
My name suggests too much to drink, you see,
What am I? Please tell me!

Solution: die Trunkenheit (drunkenness)

🧩 Other Information

Word Formation:

• The word is composed of the adjective trunken (an older form of betrunken - drunk) and the suffix -heit.
• -heit is a common suffix in German used to form abstract feminine nouns from adjectives or nouns, expressing a state or quality (e.g., Freiheit - freedom, Krankheit - illness, Schönheit - beauty).

Cultural Aspects:

Attitudes towards and the evaluation of drunkenness (Trunkenheit) have changed significantly throughout history and culture, and still vary regionally today.