die  Überheblichkeit

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˌyːbɐˈheːblɪçkaɪt/

🧐 What exactly is Überheblichkeit?

Die Überheblichkeit describes a character trait or behavior where a person thinks excessively highly of themselves and looks down on others. It is a form of arrogance or hubris, emphasizing one's own abilities, status, or knowledge, often combined with disdain for others.

It is an abstract noun, usually carrying a negative connotation.

Article rules for der, die, and das

The Grammar of Überheblichkeit 🧐

The word "Überheblichkeit" is a feminine noun. The article is therefore die.

It is mostly used in the singular. The plural "die Überheblichkeiten" is rare and usually refers to specific arrogant actions or remarks.

Declension (Beugung)

Examples ✍️

1. Seine Überheblichkeit machte ihn bei den Kollegen unbeliebt.
   His arrogance made him unpopular with colleagues.
2. Manchmal ist ein gesundes Selbstbewusstsein schwer von Überheblichkeit zu unterscheiden.
   Sometimes, healthy self-confidence is hard to distinguish from arrogance.
3. Wir müssen uns vor der Überheblichkeit hüten, zu glauben, wir wüssten alles besser.
   We must beware of the hubris of thinking we know everything better.
4. Ihre ständigen Überheblichkeiten nervten alle Anwesenden.
   Her constant arrogant remarks annoyed everyone present.

Using Überheblichkeit in Daily Life: Tips 💡

"Überheblichkeit" is used to describe a negative trait or behavior.

• Context: Mostly in social, professional, or personal situations to criticize someone's attitude.
• Connotation: Strongly negative. Nobody likes to be called überheblich (arrogant).
• Distinction: It's stronger than mere self-confidence (Selbstbewusstsein) or pride (Stolz). Überheblichkeit implies unjustified self-aggrandizement and the devaluation of others.
• Related Verbs/Adjectives: Sich überheben (to be presumptuous, overreach), überheblich sein (to be arrogant).

Typical sentences might be:

• "Seine Antworten zeugten von purer Überheblichkeit."
  His answers showed pure arrogance.
• "Lass dich nicht von deiner eigenen Überheblichkeit blenden."
  Don't be blinded by your own arrogance.
• "Überheblichkeit kommt vor dem Fall." (Proverb: Pride comes before a fall.)

How to Remember 'die Überheblichkeit' 🧠

Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in -keit (like Freundlichkeit, Sauberkeit, Eitelkeit) are almost always feminine in German. So: die Möglichkeit (possibility), die Fähigkeit (ability), die Heiterkeit (cheerfulness)... and therefore also die Überheblichkeit. Think of a 'chain' (fem.) of -keit words!

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone literally wanting to "über" (over/above) "heben" (lift/raise) themselves above others because they think they are better. This attitude is "Überheblichkeit". They look over others and lift themselves up.

Word Field: Similar & Opposite 🔄

⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse it with Selbstbewusstsein (das), which is a positive or neutral trait (confidence in one's abilities without devaluing others).

A Little Joke 😄

Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Haben Sie überhaupt Erfahrung mit Überheblichkeit?"
Antwortet der Neue: "Aber hallo! Fragen Sie mal meine früheren Kollegen – ich war der Beste darin!"

Translation:
The boss asks the new employee: "Do you have any experience with arrogance at all?"
The newbie replies: "You bet! Just ask my former colleagues – I was the best at it!"

Poem about Überheblichkeit 📜

Die Nase hoch, der Blick so kalt,
Die Überheblichkeit hat Gestalt.
Meint, sie wär' der Weisheit Kern,
Hält andre klein, sich selber fern.
Doch Hochmut, leise sei's gesagt,
Hat selten Gutes nur vollbracht.
Ein Lächeln, Demut, weiches Wort,
Trägt oft viel weiter fort.

Translation:
Nose held high, a gaze so cold,
Arrogance takes its hold.
Thinks it's wisdom's very core,
Keeps others small, itself afar.
But hubris, let it softly be said,
Has seldom only goodness bred.
A smile, humility, a gentle word,
Often carries further onward.

Who or what am I? 🤔

Ich lasse Nasen in die Höh' steigen,
und bringe Menschen oft zum Schweigen – oder zum Widersprechen.
Ich schmücke mich mit fremden Federn gern,
und halte andre Leute von mir fern.
Ich bin die Schwester von Arroganz und Stolz,
gebaut aus dünnem, brüchigem Holz.

Wer bin ich?

Translation:
I make noses rise up high,
and often make people fall silent – or contradict.
I like to adorn myself with borrowed plumes,
and keep other people away from me.
I am the sister of arrogance and pride,
built of thin, brittle wood.

Who am I?

Solution: Die Überheblichkeit (arrogance/hubris)

Further Details & Origin 🧩

Word Composition:

The word "Überheblichkeit" is a noun derived from the adjective "überheblich" (arrogant). This, in turn, is composed of:

• über-: Prefix, here indicating excess or going beyond a measure.
• heben: The verb "to lift" or "to raise" (sich erheben = to rise).
• -lich: Adjective suffix.
• -keit: Noun suffix used to form abstract nouns from adjectives (makes the noun feminine).

So, literally, it means the quality (-keit) of behaving in an überheblich (über-heb-lich) way, i.e., raising oneself above others.

Cultural Aspects:

In many cultures, including German culture, arrogance (Überheblichkeit) is viewed as a strongly negative trait. Proverbs like "Hochmut kommt vor dem Fall" (Pride comes before a fall), which is very similar, reflect this attitude.