die
Verehrung
💖 What does 'die Verehrung' mean?
Die Verehrung describes a strong feeling of deep respect, great admiration, or reverence towards a person, a deity, an object, or an idea. It goes beyond mere *Respekt* (respect) and can border on *Anbetung* (worship).
- Deep Admiration: Expresses the highest appreciation for someone's achievements, qualities, or status (e.g., die Verehrung of an artist by their fans).
- Religious Veneration: In a religious context, it refers to the reverence shown to saints, gods, or holy objects (e.g., die Marienverehrung - veneration of Mary).
- Loving Devotion: Can also express a very strong, almost awe-filled affection (e.g., *seine stille Verehrung für sie* - his silent adoration for her).
It is a feminine noun, so the article is always die. ⚠️ Be careful: Do not confuse it with simple admiration or respect; Verehrung is more intense.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Verehrung
The noun Verehrung is feminine. It is mostly used in the singular. The plural (die Verehrungen) is rare and usually refers to different types or acts of veneration.
Declension Singular
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die Verehrung | eine Verehrung |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der Verehrung | einer Verehrung |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der Verehrung | einer Verehrung |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die Verehrung | eine Verehrung |
Declension Plural
(The plural is rarely used)
| Case | Definite Article |
|---|---|
| Nominative | die Verehrungen |
| Genitive | der Verehrungen |
| Dative | den Verehrungen |
| Accusative | die Verehrungen |
📝 Example Sentences
- Die Verehrung für den alten Meister war im ganzen Land spürbar.
(The veneration for the old master was palpable throughout the country.) - Ihre stille Verehrung offenbarte sich in kleinen Gesten.
(Her silent adoration revealed itself in small gestures.) - Im Tempel fanden verschiedene Riten der Verehrung statt.
(Various rites of veneration took place in the temple.) - Er empfand eine tiefe Verehrung für die Weisheit seiner Großmutter.
(He felt a deep reverence for his grandmother's wisdom.)
💡 How to use 'Verehrung'?
Verehrung is used to express a very high degree of respect and admiration, often associated with awe or even worship.
- Contexts: Frequently used in relation to religion (Heiligenverehrung - veneration of saints, Götterverehrung - worship of gods), arts and culture (Verehrung of idols, stars, artists), but also in personal relationships for people held in extraordinary esteem.
- Intensity: It is stronger than Bewunderung (admiration, often based on skills or appearance) and Respekt (which represents basic regard). Verehrung implies a deeper emotional or spiritual connection.
- Differentiation: While Anbetung (adoration/worship) is mostly religious and directed towards a deity, Verehrung can also apply to secular individuals or ideals. Hochachtung (high esteem) is similar but often less emotionally intense than Verehrung.
- Typical combinations: Often used with adjectives like tief (deep), grenzenlos (boundless), still (silent), religiös (religious), kritiklos (uncritical).
🧠 Mnemonics for 'Verehrung'
For the article 'die': Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine ('die') in German. Think of die Meinung (opinion), die Hoffnung (hope), die Rechnung (bill)... and, of course, die Verehrung. A feminine ending for a strong feeling!
For the meaning: Think of "very honoring". Ver-ehr-ung sounds a bit like 'very honoring'. When you are 'very honoring' someone, you show them deep Verehrung (veneration, adoration).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Same or similar meaning (Synonyms):
- Bewunderung: Admiration; recognition for skills or qualities, often less deep than Verehrung.
- Hochachtung: High esteem; great respect, often due to achievement or moral integrity.
- Ehrerbietung: Reverence, homage; expression of respect and honor, often more formal.
- Anbetung: Worship, adoration; mostly religious, direct devotion to a deity; can also mean excessive secular admiration.
- Devotion: Hingabe, Frömmigkeit (often religious).
- Idolatrie: Idolatry; deification, often seen as excessive veneration.
Opposite meaning (Antonyms):
- Verachtung: Contempt; strong negative judgment, disdain.
- Missachtung: Disregard; ignoring, disrespecting rules or people.
- Geringschätzung: Disdain, depreciation; lack of appreciation.
- Respektlosigkeit: Disrespect.
- Hohn / Spott: Scorn / mockery.
⚠️ Similar words:
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Lehrer: "Fritzchen, nenne mir ein Beispiel für blinde Verehrung."
Fritzchen: "Wenn meine Oma Opas Foto küsst, obwohl er seit 20 Jahren eine Glatze hat!" 😄
Teacher asks: "Fritzie, give me an example of blind adoration."
Fritzie: "When my grandma kisses grandpa's photo, even though he's been bald for 20 years!" 😄
📜 Poem about 'Verehrung'
Ein stilles Gefühl, tief und rein,
für dich soll meine Verehrung sein.
Nicht laut geschrien, nicht kühn zur Schau,
sie wächst im Herzen, sanft und grau.
Wie Sterne leuchten in der Nacht,
so hat dein Wesen sie entfacht.
Ein Blick, ein Wort, ein leises Wehn,
die höchste Achtung lässt's geschehn.
--- English Translation ---
A silent feeling, deep and pure,
For you, my veneration shall endure.
Not loudly screamed, nor boldly shown,
It grows within the heart, softly sown.
Like stars that shine throughout the night,
Your being sparked its gentle light.
A glance, a word, a quiet sigh,
The highest esteem lets it arise high.
🧩 Riddle Time
Ich bin ein Gefühl, tief und stark,
mehr als Respekt, ein leuchtender Mark.
Man bringt mich Göttern, Helden dar,
manchmal auch einem Pop-Superstar.
Ich ende auf '-ung', feminin und fein.
Welches Gefühl kann ich nur sein?
--- English Translation ---
I am a feeling, deep and strong,
More than respect, where souls belong.
Offered to gods, or heroes bright,
Sometimes to pop stars in the light.
I end in '-ung', feminine and fine.
What feeling could I be, divine?
Solution: die Verehrung (veneration/adoration)
🌐 Further Insights
Word Composition: The word 'Verehrung' is a noun derived from the verb 'verehren' (to venerate, adore). It is composed of:
- The prefix ver-: often intensifying or indicating a change.
- The root word Ehre: meaning honor, respect, dignity.
- The suffix -ung: forms nouns from verbs, often denoting a process or state.
Therefore, 'Verehrung' literally means something like 'the act of intensely honoring' or 'the state of being intensely honored'.
Cultural Aspects: The way Verehrung is expressed varies greatly across cultures. It ranges from silent inner attitudes to public rituals and ceremonies.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Verehrung?
The noun Verehrung describes a deep feeling of respect and admiration (veneration, adoration). The correct article is always die, so it is die Verehrung (feminine). The plural die Verehrungen is rare.