die
Verleumdung
🗣️ What exactly is 'Verleumdung'?
Die Verleumdung (article: die) refers to the knowingly false assertion or dissemination of defamatory facts about a person, with the aim of damaging their reputation in public or making them contemptible. It is a legal term representing a criminal offense (cf. § 187 StGB in Germany).
Essentially, it's about someone deliberately spreading lies about another person, knowing they are untrue, to destroy their reputation. 🚨 Note: This differs from üble Nachrede (§ 186 StGB, malicious gossip or defamation), where the asserted fact doesn't have to be provably true (but isn't necessarily known to be false by the speaker).
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 Verleumdung
The word 'Verleumdung' is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always die.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Verleumdung |
| Genitive | der | Verleumdung |
| Dative | der | Verleumdung |
| Accusative | die | Verleumdung |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Verleumdungen |
| Genitive | der | Verleumdungen |
| Dative | den | Verleumdungen |
| Accusative | die | Verleumdungen |
Example Sentences:
- Die Verleumdung durch die Presse schadete seinem Ruf enorm. (The slander by the press damaged his reputation enormously.)
- Er wurde wegen Verleumdung angeklagt. (He was charged with slander.)
- Sie wehrte sich gegen die haltlosen Verleumdungen. (She defended herself against the baseless slanders/defamations.)
💬 How to use 'Verleumdung'?
The term 'Verleumdung' is primarily used in a legal context or in situations involving serious damage to reputation. In everyday language, one might speak more generally of Lästern (gossiping) or Gerüchte (rumors), but when deliberately false, damaging facts are asserted, 'Verleumdung' is the precise term.
Important Distinction:
- Verleumdung (§ 187 StGB): Assertion of a fact known to be untrue that is defamatory. The perpetrator knows it's a lie.
- Üble Nachrede (§ 186 StGB): Assertion of a fact that cannot be proven true and is defamatory. The perpetrator doesn't necessarily know it's false, but they cannot prove it's true either.
One should choose the word carefully, as it carries a strong negative connotation and legal implications.
🧠 Mnemonics for Verleumdung
Article Mnemonic: Think of the English word 'defamation'. Many abstract nouns ending in '-tion' are feminine in German (like die Nation, die Situation). While 'Verleumdung' doesn't end in '-tion', many nouns ending in '-ung' (like die Meinung, die Zeitung) are also feminine. So, remember: -ung ending often means die Verleumdung.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone is spreading 'very lewd' ('Ver-leumd') lies to ruin someone's reputation. 'Very lewd' sounds a bit like 'Verleumd-', helping you remember the negative meaning of slander/defamation.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Words
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Rufmord: (Character assassination) Strong, colloquial term emphasizing the destructive intent towards reputation.
- Diffamierung: (Defamation) General term for denigration, often used synonymously.
- Anschwärzung: (Denigration, blackening someone's name) Slightly dated, emphasizes portraying negatively.
- Üble Nachrede: (Malicious gossip, defamation) Legally related but differs in the aspect of knowing the statement is false (see Usage).
⚠️ Caution: Words like 'Kritik' (criticism) or 'Beschwerde' (complaint) are not synonyms, as they (ideally) are based on true facts or represent opinions, not deliberately false factual claims.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum erzählen Klatschbasen nie die Wahrheit?
Weil eine Verleumdung viel schneller um die Welt reist als eine Richtigstellung! 😉
(Why do gossips never tell the truth?
Because a slander travels around the world much faster than a correction!)
📜 Poem about the Power of Words
Ein falsches Wort, leis' hingehaucht,
hat manchen Ruf schon jäh verstaucht.
Die Verleumdung, schnell und kalt,
macht vor keiner Ehre halt.
Sie schleicht sich ein, vergiftet still,
weil jemand Böses säen will.
Drum wähle weise, was du sagst,
bevor du Ehre niedertragst.
(A false word, softly breathed,
has suddenly sprained many a reputation.
The slander, quick and cold,
does not stop short of any honor.
It creeps in, poisons silently,
because someone wants to sow evil.
So choose wisely what you say,
before you trample honor down.)
❓ Little Riddle
Ich bin eine Waffe ganz ohne Stahl,
verletze tief, verbreite Qual.
Ich lebe von Lügen, die man gern glaubt,
habe schon manchen um Ehre beraubt.
Ich bin strafbar, doch schwer zu fassen oft,
man hat auf die Wahrheit vergebens gehofft.
Was bin ich? (Auflösung: die Verleumdung)
(I am a weapon entirely without steel,
I wound deeply, spread torment.
I live on lies that people like to believe,
I have robbed many of their honor.
I am punishable, yet often hard to grasp,
people have hoped for the truth in vain.
What am I?
Answer: die Verleumdung / slander)
🧩 Other Interesting Aspects
Word Composition: The word 'Verleumdung' is composed of the prefix 'ver-' (often indicating deterioration or wrong action, as in 'verraten' - to betray, 'verlieren' - to lose) and the old word 'Leumund', meaning 'reputation' or 'standing'. So, 'Verleumdung' literally means the 'spoiling of reputation'.
Legal Relevance: In Germany, slander (Verleumdung) is regulated in § 187 of the Criminal Code (Strafgesetzbuch - StGB) and can be punished with imprisonment up to two years or a fine. If the act is committed publicly or by disseminating writings, the penalty can be higher (up to five years).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Verleumdung?
The word Verleumdung is a feminine noun, so the correct article is always die. It refers to the act of knowingly making false and defamatory statements about another person, and it is a significant term in German law.