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B1 verb #7,000 le plus courant 9 min de lecture

entmutigen

Top 7,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces entmutigen en 30 secondes

Explication entmutigen in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'entmutigen' is a very advanced word. You probably won't need to use it yourself, but you might hear it in very simple phrases like 'Nicht entmutigen!' which means 'Don't lose heart!' At this stage, it is better to focus on the word 'Mut' (courage) and the phrase 'Keine Angst' (no fear). Think of 'entmutigen' as a way to say someone is making you feel like you want to stop trying because it is too hard. Even if you don't use the verb, knowing that 'Mut' is inside it will help you recognize it. Remember: Ent- means 'away' and Mut means 'courage'. So, 'courage away'. Simple, right? If a teacher says 'Lass dich nicht entmutigen', they are just telling you to keep going and not be sad about mistakes. Mistakes are okay! Just keep practicing your 'Hallo' and 'Guten Tag' and don't let the long words scare you away.

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By A2, you are starting to build more complex sentences. You might encounter 'entmutigen' in short stories or during classroom instructions. You should learn the basic phrase 'Lass dich nicht entmutigen' (Don't let yourself be discouraged). This is a very common piece of advice. At this level, you should also recognize that it's a regular verb (weak verb) in the past tense: 'entmutigte'. However, you will mostly see it as an adjective: 'entmutigt' (discouraged). For example: 'Ich bin entmutigt' (I am discouraged). This is a great way to express your feelings when German grammar feels like a mountain. But don't worry! Every learner feels 'entmutigt' sometimes. Just remember that it's a transitive verb, so you can say 'Die Grammatik entmutigt mich' (The grammar discourages me).

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At the B1 level, 'entmutigen' becomes a core part of your vocabulary for discussing feelings, goals, and challenges. You should be able to use it in the Perfekt tense: 'Das hat mich entmutigt.' You should also understand the difference between 'entmutigen' and 'ermutigen' (to encourage). B1 students are expected to talk about their personal experiences, and 'entmutigen' is perfect for describing setbacks in your career or studies. You should also start using the adjective form 'entmutigend' to describe situations, like 'ein entmutigendes Gespräch' (a discouraging conversation). This level is where you master the reflexive use with 'lassen': 'Man darf sich von Misserfolgen nicht entmutigen lassen.' This shows you can handle more complex German sentence structures with two verbs.

At B2, you are expected to use 'entmutigen' in more abstract and formal contexts. You might use it in a debate about social issues, for example: 'Hohe Steuern können junge Unternehmer entmutigen.' (High taxes can discourage young entrepreneurs). You should be comfortable with the Präteritum 'entmutigte' in written reports. At this stage, you should also know the noun 'Entmutigung' (discouragement) and be able to use it in sentences. You'll likely encounter 'entmutigen' in newspaper articles or professional feedback. You should also be able to distinguish it from synonyms like 'demotivieren' or 'abschrecken'. Using 'entmutigen' correctly in a professional email or a presentation shows a high level of nuance and emotional intelligence in the language.

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By C1, 'entmutigen' should be a word you use with total precision. you can use it to describe subtle psychological states or complex socio-economic deterrents. You might use it in literary analysis to describe a character's internal struggle: 'Die Aussichtslosigkeit seiner Situation entmutigte ihn zutiefst.' You should also be familiar with idiomatic expressions that surround the concept of courage, and how 'entmutigen' fits into the broader field of German philosophy regarding 'Wille' (will) and 'Tatkraft' (energy/drive). At this level, you should be able to use the verb in the passive voice effortlessly: 'Er wurde durch die ständigen Rückschläge keineswegs entmutigt.' This shows a mastery of both the meaning and the sophisticated grammatical structures of German.

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At the C2 level, you use 'entmutigen' with the finesse of a native speaker. You understand its historical and philosophical weight in German literature—from the Romantics to modern existentialists. You might use it in academic writing to describe the 'entmutigende Wirkung' (discouraging effect) of certain policies or philosophical outlooks. You are aware of its rhythmic properties in speech and can use it for rhetorical effect. You can perfectly navigate the nuances between 'entmutigen', 'zermürben' (to wear down), and 'lähmen' (to paralyze). At this stage, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a tool for precise, high-level expression of the human condition and the dynamics of motivation and resistance.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

entmutigen en 30 secondes

Entmutigen means to discourage or take away someone's courage (Mut).
It is a transitive, inseparable weak verb used with the accusative case.
The most common phrase is 'Lass dich nicht entmutigen' (Don't give up).
It is often used in school, work, and personal growth contexts.

The German verb entmutigen is a powerful psychological term that literally describes the process of removing someone's courage. In the German language, many words are built like LEGO sets, and this one is a perfect example. It combines the prefix ent- (which usually indicates removal, deprivation, or reversal) with the noun Mut (courage) and the verbalizing suffix -igen. When you 'entmutigen' someone, you are essentially 'dis-couraging' them—taking away their heart, their will to continue, or their confidence in a positive outcome. It is most frequently used in contexts involving failure, criticism, or overwhelming obstacles.

Psychological Weight: This word carries a heavier emotional weight than simply being 'sad' or 'unmotivated.' It implies a loss of the inner drive required to face a challenge. In pedagogical or professional settings, it is often discussed as something to avoid: teachers strive not to entmutigen their students even when providing corrective feedback.

Die ständige Kritik seines Chefs begann ihn langsam zu entmutigen.

You will encounter this word in literature when a hero faces a daunting task, in news reports regarding political setbacks, and in daily conversation when discussing personal goals. It is a transitive verb, meaning it needs an object—you discourage *someone* or *something* (like an effort). However, it is very common in the reflexive form with 'lassen' (sich entmutigen lassen), which translates to 'to let oneself be discouraged.' This is the cornerstone of the German 'never give up' attitude: Lass dich nicht entmutigen!

Common Contexts: Academic failure, rejection letters in job hunting, slow progress in language learning, or negative social feedback are the primary catalysts for this verb.

Trotz der vielen Absagen ließ sie sich nicht entmutigen und suchte weiter.

In a broader sense, 'entmutigen' can also apply to abstract concepts. For example, high taxes might 'entmutigen' investment (Investitionen entmutigen). Here, it functions similarly to 'deter' or 'disincentivize.' Understanding the nuances of this word allows you to describe emotional states with precision. It isn't just about feeling bad; it's about the erosion of the 'Mut' (courage) needed to move forward. If you feel like your progress is stalled and you want to quit, you are experiencing the effects of being 'entmutigt' (the past participle used as an adjective).

Register and Nuance: While 'demotivieren' (to demotivate) is more modern and business-oriented, 'entmutigen' is more traditional and deeply rooted in the concept of character and spirit. It sounds slightly more empathetic than the clinical 'demotivieren'.

Lass dich von der Komplexität der deutschen Grammatik nicht entmutigen!

Using entmutigen correctly requires understanding its role as a transitive weak verb. This means it takes a direct object in the accusative case. If you want to say 'The news discouraged the team,' you would say: Die Nachricht entmutigte das Team. Note that the person or group being discouraged receives the action directly.

Grammatical Structure: Subject (The cause) + entmutigen (conjugated) + Accusative Object (The person). Example: 'Schlechte Noten entmutigen viele Schüler.'

Es war nicht meine Absicht, dich mit meinem Kommentar zu entmutigen.

One of the most essential patterns for learners is the reflexive construction with the verb 'lassen' (to let). In German, instead of saying 'Don't be discouraged,' we often say 'Don't let yourself be discouraged' (Lass dich nicht entmutigen). This structure implies an active resistance to negative feelings. It is the standard way to offer support and resilience-building advice in German culture.

In the past tense, you will use either the Präteritum (entmutigte) for formal writing and storytelling, or the Perfekt (hat entmutigt) for spoken conversation. For example: Der Regen hat uns gestern entmutigt, wandern zu gehen. (The rain discouraged us from going hiking yesterday). Notice how the verb can be followed by an infinitive clause with 'zu' to specify what action was discouraged.

Nichts konnte ihn auf seinem Weg zum Erfolg entmutigen.

Passive Voice: When the focus is on the state of the person, the passive voice is common: 'Ich bin von den Ereignissen entmutigt.' (I am discouraged by the events).

Finally, the adjective form 'entmutigend' is very useful for describing situations. A 'discouraging result' is an entmutigendes Ergebnis. Using the present participle as an adjective allows you to attribute the quality of discouragement to inanimate objects or situations, which is a hallmark of B1 and B2 level German proficiency.

Das war eine sehr entmutigende Erfahrung für das ganze Team.

The word entmutigen is ubiquitous in German life, though its frequency varies by setting. In educational environments, you will hear it constantly. Teachers use it in staff meetings to discuss student morale, and parents use it when encouraging their children. If a child fails a math test, a parent might say, "Nur weil du eine schlechte Note hast, solltest du dich nicht entmutigen lassen." This highlights the word's role in the German value of 'Durchhaltevermögen' (perseverance/stamina).

Professional Environment: In the workplace, 'entmutigen' appears during performance reviews or project debriefs. A manager might acknowledge that a project's failure was 'entmutigend,' but then immediately pivot to how the team can 'ermutigen' (encourage) each other to try again.

Die hohen Hürden für Start-ups in Deutschland können viele Gründer entmutigen.

Sports commentary is another prime location for this word. When a team loses several games in a row, commentators will debate whether the losses will 'entmutigen' the players or if they will find the 'Mut' to fight back. You'll hear phrases like "ein entmutigender Rückstand" (a discouraging deficit) during a broadcast. It captures that moment when the spirit of the athlete seems to waver under the pressure of the score.

In the news and political discourse, 'entmutigen' is used to describe the effect of laws or social trends. For example, if a new law makes it harder to volunteer, a journalist might write that this will "das bürgerliche Engagement entmutigen." It is also common in discussions about the economy, specifically regarding how inflation or high interest rates might 'entmutigen' consumers from spending. This abstract usage is a staple of 'Tagesschau' (the main German news program) and quality newspapers like 'Die Zeit'.

Wir dürfen uns von den aktuellen Krisen weltweit nicht entmutigen lassen.

Literature and Art: In German literature, especially in the 'Bildungsroman' (novel of formation), the protagonist often faces 'entmutigende' circumstances that test their resolve. It is a key word for character development.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make is trying to separate the prefix ent-. In German, prefixes like ent-, ver-, be-, er-, zer-, and ge- are inseparable. You should never say 'Ich mutige ihn ent.' The correct form is always 'Ich entmutige ihn.' This applies to all tenses, including the past participle. Many learners mistakenly add a 'ge-' to the past participle, resulting in the incorrect 'geentmutigt.' The correct form is simply entmutigt.

Confusion with 'enttäuschen': Learners often confuse 'entmutigen' (to discourage) with 'enttäuschen' (to disappoint). While they often happen at the same time, 'enttäuschen' refers to a failed expectation, whereas 'entmutigen' refers to the loss of courage to try again. You can be disappointed without being discouraged.

Falsch: Ich habe mich von dem Test geentmutigt.
Richtig: Ich habe mich von dem Test entmutigen lassen.

Another common pitfall is the word order when using 'lassen'. In the phrase 'sich entmutigen lassen,' the verb 'entmutigen' stays in the infinitive and moves to the very end of the clause. For example, in a subordinate clause: ...weil er sich nicht entmutigen ließ. Beginners often struggle with placing the reflexive pronoun 'sich' correctly. Remember that 'sich' usually follows the conjugated verb or the subject in a subordinate clause.

Prepositional usage can also be tricky. If you want to say what discouraged you, use 'von' + Dative. For example: Ich bin von den hohen Preisen entmutigt. Some learners try to use 'durch' (through/by), which is possible but less common when describing the source of an emotional state. 'Von' is the safer and more natural choice for learners at the B1 level.

Reflexive vs. Transitive: Remember that you don't just 'entmutigen' (intransitive). You either 'entmutigen jemanden' (transitive) or 'lassen sich entmutigen' (reflexive with lassen). Using it without an object sounds incomplete to a native ear.

Lass dich nicht von den Fehlern entmutigen, sie gehören zum Lernen dazu.

German has a rich vocabulary for emotional states, and while entmutigen is excellent, sometimes a different word fits better. The most direct synonym is demotivieren. While 'entmutigen' focuses on courage (Mut), 'demotivieren' focuses on the drive (Motivation) to do something. 'Demotivieren' is very common in office and management contexts. If a bonus is cancelled, employees are 'demotiviert'. If they lose hope in the company's future, they are 'entmutigt'.

Abschrecken vs. Entmutigen: 'Abschrecken' means 'to deter' or 'to scare off.' It is often used for things that prevent you from even starting. For example, a high price might 'abschrecken' a buyer. 'Entmutigen' usually happens after you have already started and then face a setback.

Der hohe Preis könnte potenzielle Käufer abschrecken.

Another alternative is niederschlagen (to deject/knock down). This is more physical and visual. If someone is 'niedergeschlagen,' they are literally 'beaten down' by news. It focuses more on the resulting sadness and less on the loss of courage. Similarly, deprimieren (to depress) is used for things that make you feel overall sad or gloomy, rather than specifically lacking the courage to act.

For a more formal or dramatic register, you might use einschüchtern (to intimidate). This implies that the discouragement comes from fear or a show of power. If a big opponent 'einschüchtert' a small team, they are discouraged because they are afraid. 'Entmutigen' is broader and doesn't always involve fear; it could just be the result of exhaustion or repeated failure.

Comparison Table

Entmutigen: Loss of courage to continue (General).
Demotivieren: Loss of incentive to work (Business).
Abschrecken: Deterrence from starting (External factors).
Niederschlagen: Emotional state of being 'down' (Feeling).

Es ist wichtig, Kinder zu ermutigen, anstatt sie ständig zu kritisieren.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The word 'Mut' in German originally meant 'mind' or 'spirit' (like 'Gemüt'). Over time, it narrowed down specifically to 'bravery' or 'courage'. So 'entmutigen' is literally 'de-spiriting' someone.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ɛntˈmuːtɪɡn̩/

US /ɛntˈmuːtɪɡən/

On the second syllable: ent-MU-ti-gen.

Rime avec

beruhigen beunruhigen beerdigen huldigen kündigen reinigen peinigen einigen

Erreurs fréquentes

Stressing the 'ent-' prefix. (Should be unstressed)
Pronouncing 'ent-' like 'ant' in English.
Making the 'u' sound too short. It should be a long 'uː' like in 'moon'.
Adding a 'ge-' in the past participle (geentmutigt is wrong).
Forgetting the 'g' sound in the middle.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'Mut' and 'ent-'.

Écriture 4/5

Requires correct conjugation and understanding of inseparable prefixes.

Expression orale 4/5

The pronunciation of 'muː' and the 'g' can be tricky for beginners.

Écoute 3/5

Clearly audible in speech due to the stressed 'muː'.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

Mut mutig lassen nicht von

Apprends ensuite

ermutigen demotivieren abschrecken Entmutigung

Avancé

zermürben einschüchtern niederschlagen entkräften

Grammaire à connaître

Inseparable prefixes (ent-)

Ich entmutige (NOT: Ich mutige ent).

Reflexive with 'lassen'

Lass dich nicht entmutigen.

Weak verb conjugation

entmutigte, hat entmutigt.

Accusative object requirement

Er entmutigt den Freund.

Adjectival use of participles

Das entmutigende Ergebnis.

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Exemples par niveau

Nicht entmutigen!

Don't lose heart!

Imperative without a subject.

Bist du entmutigt?

Are you discouraged?

Adjective use of the past participle.

Der Test war schwer, aber ich bin nicht entmutigt.

The test was hard, but I am not discouraged.

Negative with 'nicht'.

Lass dich nicht entmutigen.

Don't let yourself be discouraged.

Reflexive 'dich' with 'lassen'.

Mut ist wichtig. Entmutigen ist schlecht.

Courage is important. Discouraging is bad.

Infinitive used as a noun concept.

Er entmutigt mich.

He discourages me.

Present tense, transitive.

Wir sind nicht entmutigt.

We are not discouraged.

Plural subject with 'sein'.

Lerne weiter, lass dich nicht entmutigen!

Keep learning, don't let yourself be discouraged!

Two imperatives joined together.

Die schlechte Note hat ihn entmutigt.

The bad grade discouraged him.

Perfekt tense with 'hat'.

Lass dich von dem Regen nicht entmutigen.

Don't let the rain discourage you.

Preposition 'von' + dative.

Es ist entmutigend, wenn niemand hilft.

It is discouraging when nobody helps.

Present participle as adjective.

Meine Eltern entmutigen mich nie.

My parents never discourage me.

Adverb 'nie' for frequency.

Warum bist du so entmutigt?

Why are you so discouraged?

Question word 'warum'.

Ich wollte dich nicht entmutigen.

I didn't want to discourage you.

Modal verb 'wollte' + infinitive at the end.

Das schwere Buch entmutigt die Kinder.

The heavy book discourages the children.

Accusative plural object 'die Kinder'.

Sie ließ sich durch nichts entmutigen.

She let nothing discourage her.

Präteritum of 'lassen' + 'sich'.

Lass dich von kleinen Fehlern nicht entmutigen.

Don't let small mistakes discourage you.

Dative plural 'kleinen Fehlern'.

Die Kritik war hart und hat das Team entmutigt.

The criticism was harsh and discouraged the team.

Compound sentence with 'und'.

Es ist wichtig, Schüler zu motivieren, statt sie zu entmutigen.

It is important to motivate students instead of discouraging them.

Infinitive with 'zu' and 'statt... zu'.

Ich fühlte mich nach dem Gespräch sehr entmutigt.

I felt very discouraged after the conversation.

Reflexive verb 'sich fühlen' + adjective.

Entmutigende Nachrichten erreichen uns aus der Region.

Discouraging news is reaching us from the region.

Adjective ending '-e' for plural 'Nachrichten'.

Niemand kann mich auf meinem Weg entmutigen.

Nobody can discourage me on my way.

Modal verb 'kann'.

Er hat versucht, mich von meiner Idee zu entmutigen.

He tried to discourage me from my idea.

Infinitive clause with 'zu'.

Lassen Sie sich durch die Bürokratie nicht entmutigen.

Don't let the bureaucracy discourage you (formal).

Formal imperative 'Lassen Sie sich'.

Die wirtschaftliche Lage entmutigt viele Investoren.

The economic situation discourages many investors.

Abstract subject 'wirtschaftliche Lage'.

Trotz der Rückschläge weigerte er sich, sich entmutigen zu lassen.

Despite the setbacks, he refused to let himself be discouraged.

Genitive preposition 'Trotz' + double infinitive.

Ein entmutigendes Ergebnis sollte als Lernchance gesehen werden.

A discouraging result should be seen as a learning opportunity.

Passive voice 'gesehen werden'.

Die Komplexität des Projekts könnte das Personal entmutigen.

The complexity of the project could discourage the staff.

Konjunktiv II 'könnte' for possibility.

Man darf die Jugend nicht durch Perspektivlosigkeit entmutigen.

One must not discourage the youth through a lack of prospects.

Nouns with '-losigkeit'.

Die hohen Anforderungen entmutigten viele Bewerber.

The high requirements discouraged many applicants.

Präteritum tense.

Er sprach mit einer entmutigten Stimme.

He spoke with a discouraged voice.

Dative feminine adjective ending '-en'.

Lass dich nicht von der Meinung anderer entmutigen.

Don't let yourself be discouraged by the opinion of others.

Genitive 'anderer'.

Die anhaltende Stagnation wirkt zutiefst entmutigend auf die Bevölkerung.

The persistent stagnation has a deeply discouraging effect on the population.

Adverb 'zutiefst' modifying the participle.

Sich von systemischen Hürden entmutigen zu lassen, ist eine verständliche Reaktion.

To let oneself be discouraged by systemic hurdles is a simplified reaction.

Infinitive clause as a subject.

In seiner Rede warnte er davor, die Bürger durch zu viel Bürokratie zu entmutigen.

In his speech, he warned against discouraging citizens through too much bureaucracy.

Prepositional object 'davor, ... zu'.

Die Ergebnisse der Studie waren alles andere als entmutigend.

The results of the study were anything but discouraging.

Idiomatic expression 'alles andere als'.

Es wäre fatal, die Wissenschaftler in dieser Phase zu entmutigen.

It would be fatal to discourage the scientists in this phase.

Konjunktiv II 'wäre'.

Durch ständige Kritik wurde sein kreativer Geist allmählich entmutigt.

Through constant criticism, his creative spirit was gradually discouraged.

Vorgangspassiv in Präteritum.

Man sollte die Komplexität nicht unterschätzen, aber sich auch nicht davon entmutigen lassen.

One should not underestimate the complexity, but also not let oneself be discouraged by it.

Coordinated clauses with 'aber'.

Die entmutigte Haltung der Opposition war deutlich spürbar.

The discouraged stance of the opposition was clearly palpable.

Participle used as an attributive adjective.

Die existenzielle Krise drohte, den Protagonisten vollends zu entmutigen.

The existential crisis threatened to completely discourage the protagonist.

Verb 'drohen' + 'zu'-infinitive.

Es bedarf einer enormen Willenskraft, sich angesichts solcher Katastrophen nicht entmutigen zu lassen.

It requires enormous willpower not to let oneself be discouraged in the face of such catastrophes.

Preposition 'angesichts' + genitive.

Die entmutigende Monotonie des Alltags kann die menschliche Seele zermürben.

The discouraging monotony of everyday life can wear down the human soul.

Subject with multiple modifiers.

Nichts wirkt so entmutigend wie das Gefühl der Machtlosigkeit.

Nothing acts as discouragingly as the feeling of powerlessness.

Comparison with 'wie'.

Man darf den Forschergeist nicht durch dogmatische Einschränkungen entmutigen.

One must not discourage the spirit of research through dogmatic restrictions.

Compound noun 'Forschergeist'.

Seine entmutigten Worte hallten in der leeren Halle wider.

His discouraged words echoed in the empty hall.

Separable verb 'widerhallen' in Präteritum.

Die schiere Masse an Informationen kann den unbedarften Leser entmutigen.

The sheer mass of information can discourage the naive reader.

Adjective 'unbedarft'.

Sich nicht entmutigen zu lassen, ist die höchste Form des zivilen Widerstands.

To not let oneself be discouraged is the highest form of civil resistance.

Substantivized infinitive phrase.

Collocations courantes

sich nicht entmutigen lassen

jemanden zutiefst entmutigen

entmutigende Nachrichten

entmutigende Ergebnisse

jemanden völlig entmutigen

leicht zu entmutigen sein

Investitionen entmutigen

den Forschergeist entmutigen

einen Anfänger entmutigen

durch Misserfolge entmutigt

Phrases Courantes

Lass dich nicht entmutigen!

— Don't let it get you down; keep going.

Der Anfang ist schwer, aber lass dich nicht entmutigen!

Das wirkt entmutigend.

— That has a discouraging effect.

Die lange Liste an Aufgaben wirkt entmutigend.

Ich bin entmutigt.

— I am discouraged/I feel like giving up.

Nach der dritten Absage bin ich entmutigt.

Nichts kann ihn entmutigen.

— Nothing can stop him or take away his courage.

Er ist ein Kämpfer, nichts kann ihn entmutigen.

Es ist zum Entmutigen.

— It's enough to make one lose hope (informal).

Dieses Wetter ist wirklich zum Entmutigen.

Entmutigt den Gegner!

— Discourage the opponent (e.g., in sports).

Wir müssen den Gegner früh im Spiel entmutigen.

Ein entmutigender Anblick.

— A discouraging sight.

Der Müllberg war ein entmutigender Anblick.

Sich leicht entmutigen lassen.

— To be easily discouraged.

Du darfst dich nicht so leicht entmutigen lassen.

Jemanden von einem Vorhaben entmutigen.

— To discourage someone from a plan.

Sie versuchten, ihn von der Reise zu entmutigen.

Eine entmutigte Miene machen.

— To have a discouraged look on one's face.

Er machte eine entmutigte Miene nach dem Test.

Souvent confondu avec

entmutigen vs enttäuschen

Enttäuschen is to disappoint (failed expectations), entmutigen is to take away courage (failed resolve).

entmutigen vs demotivieren

Demotivieren is more clinical and work-related; entmutigen is more personal and emotional.

entmutigen vs abschrecken

Abschrecken is a deterrent before you start; entmutigen usually happens after a setback.

Expressions idiomatiques

"den Mut verlieren"

— To lose courage (synonym for becoming entmutigt).

Verlier jetzt nicht den Mut!

neutral

"die Flinte ins Korn werfen"

— To give up/throw in the towel.

Nur weil es schwer ist, musst du nicht gleich die Flinte ins Korn werfen.

idiomatic

"den Kopf hängen lassen"

— To be dejected or discouraged.

Lass den Kopf nicht hängen!

informal

"Schwarzsehen"

— To be pessimistic (often a result of being entmutigt).

Hör auf zu schwarzsehen!

informal

"ins Bockshorn jagen lassen"

— To let oneself be intimidated or discouraged.

Lass dich nicht ins Bockshorn jagen!

old-fashioned

"den Sand in den Kopf stecken"

— To bury one's head in the sand (ignore problems because of discouragement).

Den Kopf in den Sand zu stecken hilft nicht.

neutral

"am Boden zerstört sein"

— To be devastated (stronger than entmutigt).

Nach der Nachricht war sie am Boden zerstört.

informal

"die Segel streichen"

— To give up/concede defeat.

Er wollte noch nicht die Segel streichen.

neutral

"klein beigeben"

— To give in/yield due to lack of courage.

Er wollte nicht so schnell klein beigeben.

neutral

"sich geschlagen geben"

— To admit defeat.

Sie wollte sich nicht geschlagen geben.

neutral

Facile à confondre

entmutigen vs ermutigen

They sound very similar.

Ermutigen is the opposite (to encourage). The prefix 'er-' builds up, 'ent-' takes away.

Ich möchte dich ermutigen, nicht entmutigen.

entmutigen vs entmutet

Learners think this is the adjective.

There is no word 'entmutet'. The correct adjective/participle is 'entmutigt'.

Ich bin entmutigt (NOT entmutet).

entmutigen vs vermuten

Shared root 'mut'.

Vermuten means to suspect or assume. It has nothing to do with courage.

Ich vermute, dass er heute nicht kommt.

entmutigen vs beunruhigen

Both describe negative feelings.

Beunruhigen means to worry or unsettle. Entmutigen specifically means losing the will to try.

Die Nachrichten beunruhigen mich, aber sie entmutigen mich nicht.

entmutigen vs entfremden

Both start with 'ent-'.

Entfremden means to alienate or estrange.

Sie haben sich entfremdet.

Structures de phrases

Lass dich nicht entmutigen.

Es ist schwer, aber lass dich nicht entmutigen.

[Subjekt] hat [Objekt] entmutigt.

Der Regen hat uns entmutigt.

Ich bin von [Dativ] entmutigt.

Ich bin von den Fehlern entmutigt.

Es ist [Adjektiv], sich entmutigen zu lassen.

Es ist schade, sich entmutigen zu lassen.

[Subjekt] wirkt entmutigend auf [Objekt].

Die Krise wirkt entmutigend auf die Wirtschaft.

Anstatt sich entmutigen zu lassen, [Verb]...

Anstatt sich entmutigen zu lassen, arbeitete er härter.

Die [Substantiv] entmutigte ihn zutiefst.

Die Aussichtslosigkeit entmutigte ihn zutiefst.

Es bedarf [Genitiv], um sich nicht entmutigen zu lassen.

Es bedarf großer Kraft, um sich nicht entmutigen zu lassen.

Famille de mots

Noms

der Mut (courage)

die Entmutigung (discouragement)

die Ermutigung (encouragement)

der Übermut (hubris/cockiness)

die Demut (humility)

Verbes

ermutigen (to encourage)

beunruhigen (to worry)

vermuten (to suspect/assume)

zumuten (to expect of someone)

Adjectifs

mutig (brave)

entmutigt (discouraged)

entmutigend (discouraging)

übermütig (cocky/playful)

demütig (humble)

Apparenté

das Durchhaltevermögen (perseverance)

die Zuversicht (confidence)

die Hoffnungslosigkeit (hopelessness)

der Rückschlag (setback)

die Kritik (criticism)

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in media, education, and advice.

Erreurs courantes

geentmutigt → entmutigt
Inseparable prefixes like 'ent-' do not take 'ge-' in the past participle.
Ich mutige ihn ent. → Ich entmutige ihn.
'entmutigen' is inseparable; the prefix cannot move to the end.
Lass dich nicht entmutigt. → Lass dich nicht entmutigen.
With 'lassen', you must use the infinitive form of the second verb.
Die Nachricht entmutigt zu mir. → Die Nachricht entmutigt mich.
'entmutigen' takes a direct accusative object, not a dative prepositional phrase.
Ich bin entmutigend. → Ich bin entmutigt.
'Entmutigend' means you are discouraging others. 'Entmutigt' means you feel discouraged.

Astuces

Prefix Check

Always remember that 'ent-' verbs never take 'ge-' in the past participle. It's 'entmutigt', not 'geentmutigt'.

The 'Lassen' Trick

When using 'lassen', put 'entmutigen' at the very end of the sentence. 'Ich werde mich nicht entmutigen lassen.'

Root Word

If you forget the meaning, look for 'Mut' (courage) inside the word. 'Ent-' means 'removal'. Removal of courage = discourage.

Nuance

Use 'entmutigen' when someone wants to give up, not just when they are sad.

Adjective Use

Use 'entmutigend' to describe a situation to make your German sound more sophisticated.

Encouragement

In Germany, saying 'Lass dich nicht entmutigen' is a very common and respected way to show support.

Vowel Length

Make sure the 'u' in 'mut' is long, like the 'oo' in 'mood'.

Opposites

Learn 'entmutigen' and 'ermutigen' together as a pair of opposites.

Prefix Recognition

Train your ear to catch the 'ent-' sound; it often indicates a negative or removal process in German.

Reflexive Pronoun

Don't forget the 'sich' when using the reflexive form. 'Er lässt SICH nicht entmutigen.'

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of an ENT (the tree creature from Lord of the Rings) who is sad. An ENT-MUT-igen is when the ENT loses his MUT (courage) because his forest is gone.

Association visuelle

Imagine someone holding a balloon labeled 'MUT' (courage). Suddenly, the 'ENT-' prefix acts like a needle that pops the balloon. Now the courage is gone.

Word Web

Mut ent- ermutigen entmutigt entmutigend Entmutigung mutig demotivieren

Défi

Try to use 'entmutigen' in a sentence today when you feel like giving up on a small task. Say to yourself: 'Ich lasse mich nicht entmutigen!'

Origine du mot

Derived from the Middle High German word 'muot', which referred to spirit, mind, or mood. The prefix 'ent-' was added later to indicate the removal of that spirit.

Sens originel : To take away the spirit or the 'mood' for doing something.

Germanic (Indo-European).

Contexte culturel

Be careful when telling someone they are 'entmutigt'. It can sound like you are judging their lack of strength. It's better to use it in the negative: 'Lass dich nicht entmutigen!'

In English, we often say 'don't get discouraged'. The German 'lass dich nicht entmutigen' is slightly more formal and structured but carries the same supportive weight.

The concept of 'Entmutigung' is discussed in Alfred Adler's individual psychology. The phrase 'Lass dich nicht entmutigen' is a common trope in German children's literature like 'Pünktchen und Anton' by Erich Kästner. The poem 'Stufen' by Hermann Hesse encourages readers to move past 'entmutigende' endings to new beginnings.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

School/Education

Schlechte Noten entmutigen.
Lass dich nicht entmutigen.
Ein entmutigendes Feedback.
Schüler ermutigen statt entmutigen.

Work/Career

Die Konkurrenz entmutigt uns.
Eine entmutigende Arbeitsatmosphäre.
Sich von Absagen nicht entmutigen lassen.
Das Projekt wurde entmutigt.

Sports

Der Rückstand entmutigte das Team.
Lass dich vom Gegner nicht entmutigen.
Ein entmutigendes Spiel.
Den Gegner entmutigen.

Language Learning

Die Grammatik kann entmutigen.
Lass dich von Fehlern nicht entmutigen.
Entmutigende Fortschritte.
Sich gegenseitig ermutigen.

Politics/Society

Bürokratie entmutigt Bürger.
Entmutigende Wahlergebnisse.
Investoren nicht entmutigen.
Soziale Hürden entmutigen.

Amorces de conversation

"Was hat dich in deinem Leben schon einmal zutiefst entmutigt?"

"Wie gehst du damit um, wenn dich jemand entmutigen will?"

"Glaubst du, dass das deutsche Schulsystem Schüler eher ermutigt oder entmutigt?"

"Was ist das beste Mittel gegen Entmutigung?"

"Hast du dich schon einmal beim Deutschlernen entmutigt gefühlt?"

Sujets d'écriture

Schreibe über eine Situation, in der du dich nicht hast entmutigen lassen, obwohl es schwer war.

Welche Faktoren in deinem Job oder Studium wirken auf dich entmutigend und warum?

Wie würdest du einen Freund trösten, der von einer schlechten Nachricht entmutigt ist?

Reflektiere über die Bedeutung von 'Mut' im Gegensatz zu 'Entmutigung' in deinem Alltag.

Erstelle eine Liste mit Dingen, die dich ermutigen, wenn du dich entmutigt fühlst.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, 'entmutigen' is an inseparable verb. The 'ent-' prefix always stays with the root. For example, you say 'Ich entmutige' and 'Ich habe entmutigt'.

'Entmutigt' is the state of a person (discouraged). 'Entmutigend' describes the thing that causes the feeling (discouraging). Example: 'Ich bin entmutigt, weil das Wetter entmutigend ist.'

Yes, you can say things like 'Die Steuer entmutigt Investitionen'. This means the tax makes people not want to invest.

The most natural way is 'Lass dich nicht entmutigen!'

It is a weak verb. Its forms are: entmutigen, entmutigte, hat entmutigt.

It takes the accusative case for the person or thing being discouraged. 'Er entmutigt MICH (accusative)'.

The noun is 'die Entmutigung' (feminine).

Yes, you can say 'jemanden von etwas entmutigen' (to discourage someone from something), though 'jemanden davon abhalten' is more common for physical actions.

Yes, it is a very common B1-level word used in daily life and professional settings.

As a verb, no. The noun 'Entmutigungen' exists but is rarely used in the plural.

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