die  Unverschämtheit

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʊnfɛɐ̯ˈʃɛːmthaɪ̯t/

🧐 What exactly is 'die Unverschämtheit'?

Die Unverschämtheit (noun, feminine) describes a quality, action, or statement that is perceived as impudent, cheeky, disrespectful, or presumptuous. It refers to behavior that grossly disregards social norms or the feelings of others.

It can refer to a single act (Das war eine Unverschämtheit! - That was an impudence!) or describe a character trait (Seine Unverschämtheit kennt keine Grenzen. - His shamelessness knows no bounds.).

⚠️ Attention: The word carries a strong negative connotation and often expresses indignation or anger.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar Corner: Declining 'die Unverschämtheit'

The word 'Unverschämtheit' is a feminine noun. It is mostly used in the singular, but can also appear in the plural ('die Unverschämtheiten') to refer to multiple impudent acts or remarks.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences

1. Seine Frage war eine bodenlose Unverschämtheit.
   (His question was an utter impudence.)
2. Ich lasse mir solche Unverschämtheiten nicht gefallen!
   (I won't put up with such acts of shamelessness!)
3. Mit welcher Unverschämtheit er das behauptet hat!
   (The audacity/shamelessness with which he claimed that!)
4. Wir mussten uns während des Treffens einige Unverschämtheiten anhören.
   (We had to listen to several impudent remarks during the meeting.)

🗣️ Using 'Unverschämtheit' in Context

'Unverschämtheit' is used to express strong disapproval of someone's behavior or words. It's an emotionally charged word.

• Typical Contexts: In situations where someone breaks rules, is disrespectful, cuts in line, makes inappropriate demands, or lies.
• Intensity: It's stronger than 'Frechheit' (cheekiness) and implies a deliberate disregard for decency and respect.
• Formality: Can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but always expresses strong criticism.
• Comparison: While 'Dreistigkeit' (audacity) emphasizes boldness in a negative sense, 'Unverschämtheit' focuses on disrespect and the lack of shame. 'Impertinenz' (impertinence) is a somewhat more dated but similar term.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Unverschämtheit'

1. Article Mnemonic: Many German nouns ending in -heit (like Freiheit - freedom, Schönheit - beauty) are feminine ('die'). Remember: 'Die Frechheit ist eine Unverschämtheit.' Both end in -heit, both use die.
2. Meaning Mnemonic: 'Unverschämt' literally means 'without shame'. So, an Unverschämtheit is an act or statement where any sense of shame is missing – someone is unashamed (unverschämt). Picture someone who should be blushing with shame but isn't – that's 'unverschämt'!

↔️ Opposites Attract? Synonyms & Antonyms

😂 Time for a Chuckle!

DE: Fragt der Kellner den Gast: „War alles zu Ihrer Zufriedenheit?“ Gast: „Nein, überhaupt nicht! Das Steak war zäh, die Suppe kalt und das Gemüse verkocht!“ Kellner: „Eine solche Unverschämtheit! Und das erzählen Sie mir erst jetzt, nachdem Sie drei Teller davon gegessen haben?“

EN: The waiter asks the guest: "Was everything to your satisfaction?" Guest: "No, not at all! The steak was tough, the soup was cold, and the vegetables were overcooked!" Waiter: "Such impudence! And you only tell me this now, after you've eaten three plates of it?"

✒️ Poetic License on 'Unverschämtheit'

DE:
Im Wartezimmer, dicht gedrängt,
die Luft schon schwer, die Zeit verhängt.
Da kommt Herr Müller, spät und laut,
hat sich ganz frech vor dich gebaut.
„Ich war nur kurz...“, sagt er prompt,
als ob die Regel ihm nicht kommt.
Das ist sie pur, man sieht sie leicht,
die Unverschämtheit, die hier schleicht.

EN Translation:
In the waiting room, tightly packed,
The air heavy, time tacked.
Here comes Mr. Müller, late and loud,
Cheekily built himself before you in the crowd.
"I was just brief...", he says promptly,
As if the rule doesn't apply commonly.
That's it pure, easily seen,
The impudence, sneaking on the scene.

❓ What am I?

DE:
Ich bin eine Tat, ein Wort, ein Blick,
zerstöre oft des Anstands Glück.
Ich kenne keine Scham, kein Maß,
und bringe andre oft in Brass.
Man wirft mich Leuten vor mit Zorn,
bin selten ein willkomm'ner Born.

(Lösung: die Unverschämtheit)

EN Translation:
I am an act, a word, a glance,
Often destroying decency's chance.
I know no shame, no measure right,
And often fill others with angry might.
People accuse others of me with scorn,
Rarely am I a welcome morn.

(Answer: die Unverschämtheit / impudence, shamelessness)

⚙️ Word Workshop: Breaking Down 'Unverschämtheit'

The word 'Unverschämtheit' is derived as follows:

• un-: Prefix expressing negation or opposite (like in 'unhappy').
• verschämt: Adjective/participle meaning 'ashamed', 'shy'. 'Sich verschämen' is an older form of 'sich schämen' (to be ashamed).
• -heit: Suffix that turns an adjective into an abstract noun, denoting a state or quality (like 'Freiheit' from 'frei' - freedom from free).

So, 'Unverschämtheit' literally means the state or quality of 'not being ashamed', i.e., the lack of shame.

The related adjective is unverschämt (impudent, shameless).