die
Ungerechtigkeit
⚖️ What does "die Ungerechtigkeit" mean?
Die Ungerechtigkeit (noun, feminine) refers to a state or action that is perceived as unfair, unjust, or not conforming to moral or legal norms. It signifies the absence of justice.
The word derives from the adjective "ungerecht" (unjust, unfair) and the suffix "-keit" typically forms feminine nouns in German. Therefore, the article is always die.
There are no different meanings based on articles, as only "die" is correct. 🚨 Be careful not to mistakenly use "der" or "das".
Article rules for der, die, and das
-keit → always feminine.
Wisdom, power, rules → mostly feminine.
📚 Grammar in Detail: Die Ungerechtigkeit
The word "Ungerechtigkeit" is a feminine noun. Here are the declension tables:
Singular
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die Ungerechtigkeit | eine Ungerechtigkeit |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der Ungerechtigkeit | einer Ungerechtigkeit |
| Dative (To whom/What?) | der Ungerechtigkeit | einer Ungerechtigkeit |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die Ungerechtigkeit | eine Ungerechtigkeit |
Plural
| Case | Definite Article | No Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Ungerechtigkeiten | Ungerechtigkeiten |
| Genitive | der Ungerechtigkeiten | Ungerechtigkeiten |
| Dative | den Ungerechtigkeiten | Ungerechtigkeiten |
| Accusative | die Ungerechtigkeiten | Ungerechtigkeiten |
💡 Example Sentences
- Viele Menschen kämpfen gegen soziale Ungerechtigkeit. (Many people fight against social injustice.)
- Er empfand die Entscheidung als eine große Ungerechtigkeit. (He perceived the decision as a great injustice.)
- Die Geschichte ist voll von Ungerechtigkeiten. (History is full of injustices.)
- Sie sprach über die Ungerechtigkeiten des Systems. (She spoke about the injustices of the system.)
🗣️ How is "Ungerechtigkeit" used?
The word "Ungerechtigkeit" is frequently used in contexts concerning fairness, morality, law, and social issues.
- Social/Political: Discussing social inequality, discrimination, unfair laws, or political decisions (e.g., "die Ungerechtigkeit der Vermögensverteilung" - the injustice of wealth distribution).
- Personal: Expressing personal feelings when one feels treated unfairly or observes others being treated unfairly (e.g., "Ich kann diese Ungerechtigkeit nicht ertragen!" - I can't bear this injustice!).
- Moral/Ethical: In philosophical or ethical debates about the nature of right and wrong.
Comparison: While "das Unrecht" (wrongdoing, injustice) often refers to a specific unlawful act, "die Ungerechtigkeit" more commonly refers to a general state or system of unfairness.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Remembering the Article: Nouns ending in "-keit" in German are almost always feminine (die). Think of die Möglichkeit (possibility), die Schnelligkeit (speed), die Gerechtigkeit (justice) – and therefore also die Un-gerechtigkeit. They are all die!
Remembering the Meaning: Break down the word: "Un-" (not) + "gerecht" (just, fair) + "-keit" (-ness, state of being). So, it literally means the state of being not-just = injustice or unfairness.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Die Unfairness: Very similar, often interchangeable, emphasizes the lack of fairness.
- Das Unrecht: Often refers more strongly to a specific wrongdoing or violation of law.
- Die Benachteiligung: Focuses on the disadvantaging of a person or group.
- Die Willkür: (Arbitrariness) Refers to actions taken without objective reason, often unjustly.
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Die Gerechtigkeit: (Justice) The direct opposite; the state of fairness and lawfulness.
- Die Fairness: Similar to justice, often used in social interactions.
- Die Gleichheit: (Equality) The principle that everyone should be treated equally (can prevent injustice).
- Das Recht: (Law, right) The system of rules; can be seen as the opposite of Unrecht/Ungerechtigkeit.
⚠️ Caution: "Ungeschicklichkeit" sounds somewhat similar but means clumsiness or awkwardness and has nothing to do with justice.
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Warum haben Sie die Parkuhr mit einem Hammer zertrümmert?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Aus lauter Ungerechtigkeit, Herr Richter! Die Uhr hat mein ganzes Geld geschluckt und mir nicht eine einzige Sekunde gegeben!"
Translation:
The judge asks the defendant: "Why did you smash the parking meter with a hammer?"
The defendant replies: "Out of sheer injustice, Your Honor! The meter swallowed all my money and didn't give me a single second!"
✍️ A Poem about Ungerechtigkeit
Wo Schatten tief und Waagen schief,
die Welt oft laut nach Fairness rief.
Ein Stich ins Herz, ein bittrer Schmerz,
die Ungerechtigkeit, kein Scherz.
Mal leise schleicht, mal offen droht,
bringt Mühsal, Kummer, bittre Not.
Doch Hoffnung keimt, wo Mut entsteht,
und man gemeinsam gegen sie geht.
Translation:
Where shadows are deep and scales are skewed,
The world often loudly called for fairness.
A stab in the heart, a bitter pain,
Injustice, it's no game.
Sometimes it creeps silently, sometimes threatens openly,
Brings hardship, sorrow, bitter misery.
But hope sprouts where courage arises,
And people go against it together.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin ein Zustand, oft beklagt,
wenn Fairness fehlt, die Waage ragt
mal hierhin, mal dorthin, ganz krumm.
Man kämpft oft gegen mich, doch stumm
bin ich für jene, die von mir profitieren.
Was bin ich wohl, sag's ohne Zieren?
Lösung: Die Ungerechtigkeit
Translation:
I am a state, often lamented,
When fairness lacks, the scale is slanted,
Sometimes this way, sometimes that, quite askew.
People often fight against me, yet for those who
Benefit from me, I remain silent and numb.
What am I, tell me without being glum?
Solution: Die Ungerechtigkeit (Injustice)
🧩 Other Information
Word Composition:
The word "Ungerechtigkeit" is a complex noun composed as follows:
- Prefix "Un-": Expresses negation or opposite.
- Root word "gerecht": The adjective for "just", "fair", "right".
- Suffix "-keit": A common suffix used to form abstract feminine nouns from adjectives (like in Freiheit - freedom, Gesundheit - health, Möglichkeit - possibility).
Together, it signifies: The state of being not-just.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Ungerechtigkeit?
The noun Ungerechtigkeit is always feminine. The correct article is die Ungerechtigkeit. The plural form is die Ungerechtigkeiten.