die  Verzweiflung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɛɐ̯ˈt͡svaɪ̯flʊŋ/

😥 What does "Verzweiflung" mean?

Die Verzweiflung translates to despair, hopelessness, or desperation. It describes a state of profound hopelessness, seeing no way out, and profound discouragement. It's a strong negative emotion where one feels unable to find a solution to a difficult situation, often accompanied by feelings of powerlessness and inner suffering.

The word is feminine (weiblich), so the article is always die. It's derived from the verb verzweifeln (to despair).

Usually, 'Verzweiflung' is an uncountable noun (Singularetantum) describing a state. A plural form ("die Verzweiflungen") is very rare and mostly used in a figurative or literary sense to describe individual fits or acts of despair (e.g., "seine stillen Verzweiflungen" - his silent despairs).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "die Verzweiflung" in Detail

The noun „Verzweiflung“ is feminine.

💡 Example Sentences

1. In ihrer Verzweiflung wusste sie nicht mehr weiter.
   (In her despair, she didn't know what to do anymore.)
2. Ein Gefühl tiefer Verzweiflung überkam ihn.
   (A feeling of deep despair overcame him.)
3. Man konnte die Verzweiflung in seinen Augen sehen.
   (One could see the despair in his eyes.)
4. Trotz aller Widrigkeiten kämpfte er gegen die aufkommende Verzweiflung an.
   (Despite all adversities, he fought against the rising despair.)

🗣️ How to use "Verzweiflung"?

'Verzweiflung' is used to describe an intense emotional state. Typical contexts include:

• Personal Crises: Loss of a loved one (Verlust eines geliebten Menschen), serious illness (schwere Krankheit), financial hardship (finanzielle Notlagen).
• Psychological States: In connection with depression (Depressionen) or existential anxieties (existenzielle Ängste).
• Literature and Art: As a motif to depict human suffering (menschliches Leiden) and inner conflicts (innere Konflikte).
• Everyday Language (sometimes exaggerated): Saying "Ich bin der Verzweiflung nahe!" (I'm close to despair!) can also be used for minor problems (like a lost key), but it's hyperbolic then.

Distinction from similar words:

• Hoffnungslosigkeit (hopelessness): Very similar, but emphasizes more the lack of hope for the future. Verzweiflung can feel more active and painful.
• Resignation (resignation): Describes more of a passive giving up and acceptance of a situation, whereas Verzweiflung often implies a struggle or at least strong inner turmoil.
• Mutlosigkeit (discouragement): Less intense than Verzweiflung; lacking courage to tackle something, but not necessarily all hope.

🧠 Mnemonics for "Verzweiflung"

Article Mnemonic (die): Many nouns ending in -ung that describe a process or state (like die Hoffnung - hope, die Meinung - opinion, die Lösung - solution) are feminine (die). The same applies to die Verzweiflung.

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of the word Zweifel (doubt). The prefix "Ver-" often acts as an intensifier. When doubts (Zweifel) become so strong that they overwhelm everything else and no solution seems possible, that's Verzweiflung (despair).

↔️ Opposites and Similar Words

⚠️ Similar sounding/related words:

• Zweifel (der): doubt, uncertainty, skepticism. It's the root of Verzweiflung, but not the same thing.

😂 A Little Pick-Me-Up

Warum hat der Pessimist nie einen Platten?
(Why does the pessimist never have a flat tire?)

Weil er schon bei der kleinsten Luftveränderung in Verzweiflung gerät und das Fahrrad lieber schiebt!
(Because at the slightest change in air pressure, he falls into despair and prefers to push the bike!)

✍️ Poem about Despair

Ein Schatten schwer, die Sicht verengt,
(A heavy shadow, the view narrowed,)
Wo Hoffnung war, nun Leere hängt.
(Where hope once was, now emptiness hangs.)
Ein Labyrinth, kein Weg hinaus,
(A labyrinth, no way out,)
Die Stille schreit, im kalten Graus.
(The silence screams, in cold dread.)
Das Herz ein Stein, der Atem flach,
(The heart a stone, the breath shallow,)
So fühlt sich an der Seele Krach.
(That's how the soul's crash feels.)
Doch selbst im Dunkel, tief und weit,
(But even in darkness, deep and wide,)
Ein Fünkchen Glimmen überlebt die Zeit.
(A tiny spark survives time.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Gefühl, so tief und schwer,
(I am a feeling, so deep and heavy,)
raube die Hoffnung, mache das Herz leer.
(steal the hope, make the heart empty.)
Sehe keinen Ausweg, keine Tür,
(See no way out, no door,)
bin das Gegenteil von Zuversicht und Kür.
(am the opposite of confidence and choice/freestyle.)

Was bin ich? / What am I?
(Lösung/Solution: die Verzweiflung / despair)

ℹ️ More Facts

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):

The word "Verzweiflung" is composed of:

• The prefix ver-: This can have various meanings; here, it acts as an intensifier or denotes a failed/negative outcome of an action.
• The stem of the verb zweifeln: to doubt, to be uncertain.
• The suffix -ung: Used to form nouns from verbs, often denoting a state, process, or result.

Etymologically, "Verzweiflung" thus describes the state resulting from intense or misguided doubting (zweifeln), where no positive solution is seen anymore.