die  Wertigkeit

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/vɛʁtɪçˈkaɪt/

📜 What does "die Wertigkeit" mean?

Die Wertigkeit is a feminine noun (Substantiv) with two main meanings:

• 1. Value, Importance, Significance (general): In this sense, die Wertigkeit describes the ideal or practical value that a thing, person, or concept holds. It's about assessing its importance or relevance.

  Example: Die emotionale Wertigkeit dieser Erinnerung ist für mich sehr hoch. (The emotional value/significance of this memory is very high for me.)

• 2. Valence (Chemistry): In chemistry, die Wertigkeit (or Valenz) refers to the capacity of an atom to form a specific number of chemical bonds with other atoms. It indicates how many hydrogen atoms an atom can bind or replace.

  Example: Sauerstoff hat in den meisten Verbindungen die Wertigkeit II. (Oxygen has a valence of II in most compounds.)

⚠️ Pay attention to the context to understand the correct meaning!

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar & Declension of Wertigkeit

The noun "die Wertigkeit" is feminine. It is mostly used in the singular, especially in its general meaning. The plural "die Wertigkeiten" is more common in the chemical context or specific technical fields.

Example Sentences

1. Die Wertigkeit von guter Bildung kann nicht hoch genug eingeschätzt werden. (The value/importance of good education cannot be overestimated.)
2. Der Professor erklärte die Wertigkeit der verschiedenen Elemente im Periodensystem. (The professor explained the valence of the different elements in the periodic table.)
3. Wir müssen über die Wertigkeit unserer gemeinsamen Ziele sprechen. (We need to talk about the importance/value of our common goals.)
4. Die unterschiedlichen Wertigkeiten von Kohlenstoff führen zu vielfältigen organischen Verbindungen. (The different valencies of carbon lead to diverse organic compounds.)

💡 How to use "die Wertigkeit"?

The usage of die Wertigkeit strongly depends on the context:

• In everyday life and in humanities/social sciences: Here, die Wertigkeit usually refers to abstract value, meaning, or importance. It's a somewhat more formal term for "Wichtigkeit" (importance) or "Bedeutung" (meaning/significance). Example: die moralische Wertigkeit einer Handlung (the moral value of an action), die kulturelle Wertigkeit eines Brauchs (the cultural significance of a custom).
• In chemistry and physics: Here, die Wertigkeit is a clearly defined technical term (Valenz / valence) describing the bonding capacity of atoms. Example: Die Wertigkeit von Natrium ist I. (The valence of sodium is I.)

Comparison:

• Wert: Often more concrete, can also refer to material or numerical value (e.g., der Wert eines Hauses - the value of a house). Wertigkeit is often more abstract, focusing on significance.
• Bedeutung: Can be used synonymously with Wertigkeit (in the sense of importance), but is more general.
• Valenz: Is the specific synonym for Wertigkeit in chemistry.

🧠 Mnemonics for Wertigkeit

Article Mnemonic: Feminine nouns in German often end in "-keit" (like Möglichkeit - possibility, Heiterkeit - cheerfulness). Think: The quality gives it its dignity and importance -> all feminine concepts, ending in -keit. -> die Wertigkeit.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a chemist holding a beaker (chemical valence) and asking, "What's the worth/value (Wert) of this experiment?" This links the chemical meaning (valence) with the general meaning (value, worth). Both aspects are part of die Wertigkeit.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words (Potential Confusion):

• Wertschätzung: Appreciation, esteem - Refers to the recognition and respect shown towards someone/something (more of an attitude).
• Bewertung: Evaluation, assessment - The process or result of assessing or judging something.

😄 A Little Joke

German: Fragt ein Philosophie-Student den Chemie-Studenten: "Was ist die höchste Wertigkeit?" Antwortet der Chemiker: "Kommt drauf an, ob du Sinn oder Oktettregel meinst!"

English Translation: A philosophy student asks a chemistry student: "What is the highest Wertigkeit (valence/value)?" The chemist replies: "Depends if you mean meaning or the octet rule!"

✍️ Poem about Wertigkeit

German:
Die Wertigkeit, ein Wort so tief,
Mal ist's der Sinn, der in uns schlief.
Mal zählt's Atome, eins, zwei, drei,
In der Chemie ist's nicht mehr neu.
Ob Stellenwert, ob Valenz genannt,
Die Wertigkeit wird schnell erkannt.

English Translation:
Die Wertigkeit, a word so deep,
Sometimes the meaning, secrets keep.
Sometimes it counts atoms, one, two, three,
In chemistry, it's plain to see.
Whether status, or valence named,
Die Wertigkeit is quickly claimed.

❓ Riddle

German:
Ich hab' für Chemiker Gewicht,
doch auch im Leben zähl' ich schlicht.
Mal bin ich hoch, mal bin ich klein,
bestimme oft das Sosein.
Mit "-keit" am End', feminin,
Was bin ich wohl? Rate geschwind!

English Translation:
I matter much to chemists' lore,
But also count in life's great score.
Sometimes I'm high, sometimes I'm low,
Defining how things often go.
With "-keit" I end, feminine sign,
What am I? Guess now, be quick, define!

Solution: die Wertigkeit

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition

The word "Wertigkeit" is a compound noun:

• Wert: Refers to value, utility, meaning, or price.
• -igkeit: A suffix used to form abstract feminine nouns from adjectives (like "wertig" - worthy, although this adjective is less common today than the noun) or nouns, expressing a quality or state. It makes the word feminine.

The ending "-igkeit" often signals an abstract concept and almost always indicates the article "die".