die  Witwe

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈvɪtvə/

👩‍🦳 What does "die Witwe" mean?

Die Witwe is the German word for a widow. It refers to a woman whose husband has died and who has not remarried. It's the female counterpart to der Witwer (a widower, a man whose wife has died).

The word describes a marital or social status resulting from the death of a spouse.

• Core meaning: Woman after the death of her husband.

🚨 There is only this one meaning for the noun "Witwe", and it is always feminine (die).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Declension of "die Witwe"

"Witwe" is a feminine noun and follows the weak declension (n-declension) pattern in the plural.

💡 Example Sentences

1. Die junge Witwe zog ihre Kinder alleine groß.
   (The young widow raised her children alone.)
2. Das Haus gehörte der Witwe des verstorbenen Bürgermeisters.
   (The house belonged to the widow of the deceased mayor.)
3. Er half der alten Witwe beim Tragen der Einkaufstaschen.
   (He helped the old widow carry the shopping bags.)
4. Viele kannten die Witwe aus dem Dorf.
   (Many knew the widow from the village.)
5. Die Witwen trafen sich regelmäßig zum Kaffeekränzchen.
   (The widows met regularly for coffee.)
6. Das Schicksal der Witwen wurde im Gemeinderat diskutiert.
   (The fate of the widows was discussed in the local council.)
7. Der Verein unterstützt die Witwen mit Spenden.
   (The association supports the widows with donations.)
8. Der Bürgermeister lud alle Witwen des Ortes zum Neujahrsempfang ein.
   (The mayor invited all the widows of the town to the New Year's reception.)

💬 How is "die Witwe" used?

The word die Witwe is used to describe the marital status of a woman after her husband's death. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

• Formal: In official documents, when describing inheritance matters, or in official notices (e.g., Todesanzeigen - death notices).
• Informal: In everyday conversation when discussing family relationships.
• Figurative: Sometimes the term is used humorously or metaphorically, e.g., "Strohwitwe" (literally 'straw widow', meaning a woman whose husband is temporarily away). The famous "Schwarze Witwe" (Black Widow) is a species of spider where the female sometimes eats the male after mating, so the name alludes to the human widow.

Difference to "Hinterbliebene": While "Witwe" specifically refers to the wife, "Hinterbliebene(r)" is a more general term for all close relatives (children, parents, spouse) left behind after a death.

⚠️ The term can sometimes be perceived as evoking pity. Some women prefer not to be primarily defined by this status.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

For the article (die): Remember that a Witwe is a woman. The W in Witwe helps recall the feminine article die (like die Frau, die Dame).

For the meaning: Imagine someone asking, "Who is without their partner? We know who!" - The husband is missing, hence she is a Witwe (widow).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt eine Freundin die andere: "Warum trägt die Witwe Müller immer Schwarz?" Antwortet die andere: "Seit ihr Mann gestorben ist, sieht sie schwarz für die Zukunft!"

(One friend asks another: "Why does the widow Müller always wear black?" The other replies: "Since her husband died, she sees black for the future!" - This is a pun, "schwarz sehen" means "to be pessimistic".)

✍️ A Little Poem

Die Witwe sitzt am Fensterplatz,
erinnert sich an ihren Schatz.
Die Zeit vergeht, der Schmerz bleibt tief,
doch neues Leben leise rief.
Sie trägt die Trauer, stark und still,
weil sie nach vorn' blicken will.

(The widow sits at the window seat,
Remembering her treasure sweet.
Time passes by, the pain stays deep,
But new life softly called from sleep.
She bears the sorrow, strong and still,
Because she wants to look forward still.)

🧩 Who am I? A Riddle

Mein Gatte ging von dieser Welt,
mein Ring allein noch zu mir hält.
Den Schmerz im Herzen trag ich schwer,
mein Leben ist nun anders sehr.

Wer bin ich?

(My husband departed from this world,
My ring alone is still unfurled.
The pain in my heart I bear heavily,
My life is now very different, you see.

Who am I?)
Solution: die Witwe (the widow)

💡 Other Information

Word Origin (Etymology):

The word "Witwe" comes from the Old High German word "wituwa", which traces back to an Indo-European root *uidh-, meaning "to separate" or "to bereave". Thus, it originally described a person bereaved of their partner.

Famous Widows in Culture & History:

• Die lustige Witwe (The Merry Widow): Title of a famous operetta by Franz Lehár.
• Jackie Kennedy Onassis: Widow of US President John F. Kennedy.

Adjective: The related adjective is verwitwet (widowed), e.g., "Sie ist verwitwet." (She is widowed.).