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

erniedrigen

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces erniedrigen en 30 secondes
Explication erniedrigen in your Level:
At the A1 level, you don't really need the word 'erniedrigen' yet. It's a complex word about feelings and social power. However, it's helpful to know the root word: 'niedrig' (low). Think about a table that is 'niedrig'. 'Erniedrigen' is like making a person feel 'low' or very small. Imagine someone is mean to a friend and the friend feels very sad and small. That is the basic idea. At this stage, you would probably just say 'Er ist böse' (He is mean) or 'Ich bin traurig' (I am sad). But remembering that 'er-' plus 'niedrig' means 'to make low' will help you later when you reach higher levels. It's a word about being unkind in a very strong way.
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At A2, you are starting to learn more about emotions and social interactions. 'Erniedrigen' means 'to humiliate'. It's when someone makes you feel like you are not important or that you are beneath them. You might hear this in a story where a bad person treats a good person poorly. For example, 'Der reiche Mann erniedrigt den armen Mann' (The rich man humiliates the poor man). You can also see the reflexive form: 'sich erniedrigen'. This means doing something that makes you lose your own respect, like begging for something you don't need. It's a strong word, much stronger than just 'ärgerlich' (annoying).
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At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'erniedrigen' to describe social situations and workplace dynamics. This is where you discuss 'Mobbing' or unfair treatment. You understand that 'erniedrigen' is a transitive verb (Ich erniedrige jemanden) and can also be reflexive (Ich erniedrige mich). You start to see the noun 'die Erniedrigung' in texts. At this level, you should distinguish between 'beleidigen' (to insult) and 'erniedrigen'. An insult is a word; humiliation is an experience. You might use it in a sentence like: 'Niemand hat das Recht, einen anderen Menschen zu erniedrigen.' This shows you can talk about human rights and basic respect.
At B2, you use 'erniedrigen' with more nuance. You recognize the adjectival form 'erniedrigend' (humiliating/degrading) and use it to describe conditions or actions. 'Die Arbeitsbedingungen waren erniedrigend' (The working conditions were degrading). You also use the reflexive form with the preposition 'zu' to describe someone stooping to a low level: 'Er würde sich nie dazu erniedrigen, seine Kollegen zu belügen.' You understand that this word carries a heavy moral weight in German culture, often linked to the concept of 'Menschenwürde' (human dignity). Your vocabulary is now sophisticated enough to discuss the psychological impact of being humiliated in various social structures.
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At the C1 level, you use 'erniedrigen' in academic, legal, and literary contexts. You understand the subtle differences between 'erniedrigen', 'demütigen', 'herabsetzen', and 'degradieren'. You can analyze literature where a character's 'Erniedrigung' is a central theme or discuss historical events using the term 'erniedrigende Behandlung' in a legal sense. You are aware of the philosophical implications of 'sich selbst erniedrigen' versus being 'erniedrigt' by others. Your use of the word is precise, and you can explain the prefix 'er-' as a marker of a transformative process (making someone low). You use this word to describe systemic oppression or complex power dynamics in society.
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At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'erniedrigen'. You can use it in highly abstract philosophical discussions about the nature of power and the self. You might discuss how certain social structures 'erniedrigen' the individual by nature. You are familiar with idiomatic and rare uses, and you can play with the word's resonance in creative writing. You understand the historical weight of the word in German history and how it relates to the constitutional protection of dignity. You can effortlessly switch between the verb, noun, and adjective forms to create complex, stylistically varied prose. You recognize the word's power to evoke a strong emotional and moral reaction in your audience.
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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

erniedrigen en 30 secondes

  • Erniedrigen means to humiliate or degrade someone's dignity.
  • It comes from the word 'niedrig' (low), meaning 'to make low'.
  • It can be used for others (transitive) or oneself (reflexive).
  • It is a strong, serious word often used in social or legal contexts.
The German verb erniedrigen is a powerful and emotionally charged term that translates most directly to 'to humiliate', 'to degrade', or 'to debase'. At its linguistic core, it is derived from the adjective niedrig, meaning 'low'. When you erniedrigen someone, you are metaphorically 'making them low' or stripping them of their dignity and social standing. This word is not used for lighthearted teasing; it describes a serious blow to a person's self-worth or public respect.
Social Hierarchy
In a social context, the word often describes the actions of someone in power toward someone subordinate. It implies an abuse of that power to make the other person feel inferior.
Reflexive Usage
When used reflexively as sich erniedrigen, it means to stoop to a low level or to humble oneself, often in a way that is perceived as shameful or desperate.

Es war grausam, wie der Chef seine Mitarbeiter vor der ganzen Abteilung erniedrigte.

The emotional weight of erniedrigen makes it a staple in literature, historical accounts of oppression, and psychological discussions. It differs from beleidigen (to insult) because an insult can be a single word, whereas humiliation often involves a process or a structural dynamic that attacks the essence of a person. In historical contexts, you might hear about 'erniedrigende Behandlungen' (degrading treatments) in the context of human rights.

Niemand sollte sich für Geld erniedrigen müssen.

Culturally, Germans take the concept of 'Menschenwürde' (human dignity) very seriously, as evidenced by the first article of the German Basic Law. Therefore, any act of Erniedrigung is seen as a severe moral and often legal transgression. You will encounter this word in news reports regarding workplace bullying (Mobbing), international relations where one nation feels slighted by another, and in deep psychological dramas.
Historical Context
Historically, public shaming was a form of 'erniedrigen' used as punishment in medieval times.

Durch diese Lügen wollte er seinen Rivalen öffentlich erniedrigen.

Understanding this word requires recognizing the difference between physical height and social/moral height. While 'niedrig' can describe a low ceiling, 'erniedrigen' almost exclusively describes the lowering of status or spirit.

Sie fühlte sich durch seine herablassende Art zutiefst erniedrigt.

Psychological Impact
Psychologists use this term to describe the trauma associated with being treated as subhuman or unworthy of respect.

Er würde sich niemals dazu erniedrigen, um eine Beförderung zu bitten.

In summary, erniedrigen is a verb that moves beyond simple disagreement; it touches on the very core of human interaction and the preservation of dignity.
Using erniedrigen correctly involves understanding its transitive and reflexive forms, as well as its relationship with various prepositions. As a weak verb, its conjugation is straightforward: erniedrigt (present), erniedrigte (past), and hat erniedrigt (perfect). However, the grammatical structure around it determines the nuance of the humiliation.
Transitive Use (Active Humiliation)
When you use the verb transitively, you have a subject performing the action on a direct object (accusative). Example: 'Der Lehrer erniedrigt den Schüler.' (The teacher humiliates the student.)

Man sollte andere niemals wegen ihrer Fehler erniedrigen.

Reflexive Use (Stooping/Self-Humiliation)
'Sich erniedrigen' often takes the preposition 'zu' + dative to indicate the action one is stooping to. Example: 'Er erniedrigt sich zu einer Lüge.' (He stoops to a lie.)

Ich werde mich nicht dazu erniedrigen, auf seine Beleidigungen zu antworten.

The passive voice is also common with this verb, as the focus is often on the victim's experience.

Sie fühlte sich durch die Kritik in ihrer Ehre erniedrigt.

Another important aspect is the usage of the past participle as an adjective: erniedrigend. This describes a situation or treatment that causes humiliation.
Adjectival Use
'Eine erniedrigende Erfahrung' (a humiliating experience). This is frequently used in legal and human rights contexts.

Die Arbeitsbedingungen in der Fabrik waren absolut erniedrigend.

In more formal writing, you might see the noun form Erniedrigung. This noun is often paired with verbs like erfahren (to experience) or erleiden (to suffer).

Die jahrelange Erniedrigung hatte tiefe Spuren in seiner Seele hinterlassen.

When constructing complex sentences, remember that erniedrigen requires a direct object unless it is reflexive. You cannot simply 'erniedrigen' into the air; there must be a target.

Anstatt ihn zu unterstützen, versuchte sie, ihn vor seinen Freunden zu erniedrigen.

Finally, consider the social register. This is a B1/B2 level word because it requires an understanding of abstract social dynamics. It is more sophisticated than 'fertigmachen' (to put someone down/wreck someone) which is more colloquial. Using erniedrigen correctly shows a high command of German emotional vocabulary.
You will encounter erniedrigen in a variety of high-stakes environments. It is a 'serious' word, so you won't often hear it in casual banter between friends unless the situation has turned quite dark.
The Workplace
In discussions about 'Mobbing' (bullying), employees might report that their supervisors 'erniedrigen' them by giving them menial tasks or criticizing them publicly.

In diesem Betrieb werden die Auszubildenden systematisch erniedrigt.

News and Politics
When talking about human rights violations, international law, or the treatment of prisoners, 'erniedrigende Behandlung' is a standard legal term.

Der UN-Bericht verurteilt die erniedrigenden Bedingungen in den Flüchtlingslagern.

In literature and film, erniedrigen is used to build tension between characters. A villain might seek to humiliate the hero to break their spirit. In German classical literature (Goethe, Schiller), the concept of 'Ehre' (honor) and its loss through 'Erniedrigung' is a central theme.

Der Protagonist weigerte sich, sich vor dem Tyrannen zu erniedrigen.

Legal Context
Lawyers might use the word when describing the emotional damages caused by defamation or harassment.

Das Gericht stellte fest, dass die Klägerin durch die Aussagen gezielt erniedrigt wurde.

You will also hear it in psychological podcasts or self-help contexts, where experts discuss how to set boundaries against people who try to erniedrigen others. It is a word that signals a boundary has been crossed, moving from 'fair play' to 'cruelty'.

Lass dich von niemandem erniedrigen, egal wie mächtig sie zu sein scheinen.

Understanding the diverse environments where this word appears helps in grasping its weight; it's a word of protest, of legal definition, and of deep emotional resonance.
Even for advanced learners, erniedrigen can be tricky because of its literal root and its close synonyms.
Literal vs. Figurative
The biggest mistake is using 'erniedrigen' to mean 'to lower' physically. If you want to lower a price, you use 'senken'. If you want to lower a window, you use 'herunterlassen'. 'Erniedrigen' is strictly for social or moral lowering.

Falsch: Wir müssen die Preise erniedrigen.
Richtig: Wir müssen die Preise senken.

Confusing with 'Beleidigen'
While both are negative, 'beleidigen' (to insult) is often a momentary act of calling someone a name. 'Erniedrigen' implies a more profound attack on someone's status or humanity.

Er hat mich beleidigt, indem er mich einen Idioten nannte.
Er hat mich erniedrigt, indem er mich zwang, vor allen zu knien.

Another common error is the incorrect use of the reflexive pronoun. Some learners forget 'sich' when they mean 'to stoop to'.

Falsch: Er wollte nicht dazu erniedrigen.
Richtig: Er wollte sich nicht dazu erniedrigen.

The 'zu' Preposition
Learners often use 'für' or 'um' instead of 'zu' when describing what someone is stooping to. It is always 'sich zu etwas (Dativ) erniedrigen'.

Er erniedrigte sich zu einer Entschuldigung, die er nicht ernst meinte.

Lastly, be careful with the passive voice. 'Er wurde erniedrigt' implies someone else did it. 'Er hat sich erniedrigt' implies he did it to himself. Mixing these up changes the blame entirely.

Er wurde durch die Strafe erniedrigt. (Passive humiliation by others.)

Avoiding these pitfalls will make your German sound much more natural and precise.
German is a language of precision, and there are several words that hover around the meaning of erniedrigen, each with its own specific flavor.
Demütigen
This is the closest synonym. It comes from 'Demut' (humility). To 'demütigen' someone is to make them humble or to crush their pride. It is often more focused on the internal feeling of shame.
Herabsetzen
Literally 'to set down'. This is used for disparaging someone's achievements or value. It's less about the emotional pain and more about the objective devaluation of something or someone.
Degradieren
Common in military or organizational contexts. It means to lower someone's rank. In a figurative sense, it means to treat someone as if they are of a lower 'grade' or species.

Er wollte sie nicht nur kritisieren, sondern sie vor dem Team herabsetzen.

Beschämen
To make someone feel ashamed. This is softer than 'erniedrigen' and can even be used positively in rare cases (e.g., 'Your kindness shames me').

Seine großzügige Geste hat mich fast beschämt.

When choosing between these words, consider the intent. If the intent is to destroy someone's social status, erniedrigen is best. If the intent is to hurt their feelings or pride, demütigen is often preferred. If it's about a professional or logical devaluation, herabsetzen or entwerten (to devalue) fits better.

Der Vorgesetzte liebt es, seine Untergebenen runterzumachen.

Understanding these synonyms allows you to describe negative social interactions with much greater nuance and accuracy in German.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The word is a literal translation of the Latin 'humiliare' (from 'humilis' - low/ground), which also gave us the English word 'humiliate'.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ɛɐ̯ˈniːdʁɪɡn̩/
US /ɛrˈniːdrɪɡən/
Second syllable (nie).
Rime avec
besichtigen berichtigen beerdigen kündigen würdigen begnadigen beschädigen bekräftigen
Erreurs fréquentes
  • Stressing the first syllable 'er'.
  • Pronouncing 'niedrig' like 'nied-rich' (though common in some dialects, standard German is a soft 'g' or 'k' sound at the end).
  • Missing the 'r' after the 'd'.
  • Pronouncing the 'ie' as a short 'i'. It must be a long 'ee' sound.
  • Forgetting the 'n' at the end.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'niedrig'.

Écriture 4/5

Requires correct use of reflexive pronouns and prepositions.

Expression orale 4/5

The pronunciation of 'nie-dri-gen' can be a bit of a tongue twister.

Écoute 3/5

Clear pronunciation usually makes it easy to catch.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

niedrig hoch fühlen machen behandeln

Apprends ensuite

demütigen die Würde herabsetzen degradieren die Schande

Avancé

die Menschenwürde die Autonomie die Subordination die Diskreditierung die Diffamierung

Grammaire à connaître

Reflexive Verbs with Prepositions

sich zu etwas (Dat) erniedrigen

The Prefix 'er-'

erhöhen (to heighten), erniedrigen (to lower)

Weak Verb Conjugation

erniedrigen, erniedrigte, hat erniedrigt

Participle II as Adjective

eine erniedrigende Erfahrung

Passive Voice

Er wurde von seinem Chef erniedrigt.

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Exemples par niveau

1

Er ist sehr niedrig.

He/It is very low.

Using the base adjective 'niedrig'.

2

Das ist nicht gut.

That is not good.

Basic evaluation.

3

Er sagt böse Worte.

He says mean words.

Describing the act of being mean.

4

Ich fühle mich klein.

I feel small.

Reflexive verb 'fühlen'.

5

Warum bist du so?

Why are you like that?

Simple question.

6

Sie weint jetzt.

She is crying now.

Present tense.

7

Das ist gemein.

That is mean.

Common adjective.

8

Er macht mich traurig.

He makes me sad.

Causative structure with 'machen'.

1

Er erniedrigt seinen Freund.

He humiliates his friend.

Present tense transitive.

2

Ich will mich nicht erniedrigen.

I don't want to humiliate myself.

Reflexive with modal verb.

3

Das war eine Erniedrigung.

That was a humiliation.

Using the noun form.

4

Warum erniedrigst du ihn?

Why are you humiliating him?

Interrogative sentence.

5

Er erniedrigte sie vor allen.

He humiliated her in front of everyone.

Präteritum (simple past).

6

Sie hat ihn erniedrigt.

She humiliated him.

Perfekt tense.

7

Sei nicht so erniedrigend!

Don't be so humiliating!

Imperative with adjective.

8

Er fühlt sich erniedrigt.

He feels humiliated.

Reflexive with past participle.

1

Niemand sollte einen anderen erniedrigen.

Nobody should humiliate another.

Modal verb 'sollte'.

2

Er erniedrigt sich, um Geld zu bekommen.

He humiliates himself to get money.

Reflexive with 'um...zu'.

3

Die Kritik war wirklich erniedrigend.

The criticism was really humiliating.

Adjectival use.

4

Sie weigerte sich, sich zu erniedrigen.

She refused to humiliate herself.

Reflexive infinitive construction.

5

Der Chef erniedrigt seine Mitarbeiter oft.

The boss often humiliates his employees.

Adverb 'oft'.

6

Es ist falsch, Menschen zu erniedrigen.

It is wrong to humiliate people.

Infinitive with 'zu'.

7

Er hat durch seine Lügen alle erniedrigt.

He humiliated everyone with his lies.

Prepositional phrase 'durch seine Lügen'.

8

Fühlst du dich durch diese Aufgabe erniedrigt?

Do you feel humiliated by this task?

Passive-like reflexive structure.

1

Die Gefangenen wurden grausam erniedrigt.

The prisoners were cruelly humiliated.

Vorgangspassiv (process passive).

2

Er würde sich niemals dazu erniedrigen, zu stehlen.

He would never stoop to stealing.

Konjunktiv II with 'zu' + infinitive.

3

Solche erniedrigenden Kommentare sind inakzeptabel.

Such humiliating comments are unacceptable.

Attributive adjective.

4

Die soziale Erniedrigung war schlimmer als die Armut.

The social humiliation was worse than the poverty.

Comparative 'schlimmer als'.

5

Sie fühlte sich in ihrer Würde erniedrigt.

She felt humiliated in her dignity.

Prepositional object 'in ihrer Würde'.

6

Man kann jemanden erniedrigen, ohne ein Wort zu sagen.

One can humiliate someone without saying a word.

Conjunction 'ohne...zu'.

7

Er erniedrigte seine Rivalen durch seinen Erfolg.

He humiliated his rivals through his success.

Instrumental 'durch'.

8

Diese Behandlung ist eine Form der Erniedrigung.

This treatment is a form of humiliation.

Genitive case 'der Erniedrigung'.

1

Die systematische Erniedrigung ganzer Bevölkerungsgruppen ist ein Verbrechen.

The systematic humiliation of entire population groups is a crime.

Complex noun phrase.

2

Er weigerte sich, sich vor dem Regime zu erniedrigen.

He refused to humble himself before the regime.

Reflexive with 'vor' + dative.

3

Das Werk thematisiert die Erniedrigung des Individuums durch die Technik.

The work addresses the humiliation of the individual by technology.

Academic register.

4

Er empfand es als erniedrigend, um Hilfe bitten zu müssen.

He felt it was humiliating to have to ask for help.

Double infinitive construction.

5

Die Machtverhältnisse dienen dazu, die Untertanen zu erniedrigen.

The power structures serve to humiliate the subjects.

Final clause 'dazu...zu'.

6

Sich selbst zu erniedrigen, kann auch eine Form von Stolz sein.

To humiliate oneself can also be a form of pride.

Infinitive subject.

7

Die Geschichte ist voll von Beispielen menschlicher Erniedrigung.

History is full of examples of human humiliation.

Adjectival genitive.

8

Er wurde durch die öffentliche Bloßstellung zutiefst erniedrigt.

He was deeply humiliated by the public exposure.

Adverb 'zutiefst'.

1

Die ontologische Erniedrigung des Seins ist ein zentrales Motiv.

The ontological degradation of being is a central motif.

Highly formal academic language.

2

Indem er schwieg, erniedrigte er seinen Gegner mehr als durch Worte.

By remaining silent, he humiliated his opponent more than through words.

Modal clause with 'Indem'.

3

Es ist die subtile Erniedrigung, die am schwersten wiegt.

It is the subtle humiliation that carries the most weight.

Relative clause.

4

Er hat sich bis zur Unkenntlichkeit erniedrigt.

He humiliated himself to the point of unrecognizability.

Prepositional phrase 'bis zur'.

5

Die Architektur kann den Menschen entweder erheben oder erniedrigen.

Architecture can either elevate or humiliate man.

Correlative conjunction 'entweder...oder'.

6

Nietzsche kritisierte die Sklavenmoral als eine Form der Selbsterniedrigung.

Nietzsche criticized slave morality as a form of self-humiliation.

Compound noun 'Selbsterniedrigung'.

7

Kein politisches Ziel rechtfertigt die Erniedrigung Andersdenkender.

No political goal justifies the humiliation of those who think differently.

Substantivized adjective 'Andersdenkender'.

8

Die bittere Pille der Erniedrigung musste er schlucken.

He had to swallow the bitter pill of humiliation.

Metaphorical usage.

Collocations courantes

jemanden zutiefst erniedrigen
sich zu einer Lüge erniedrigen
öffentlich erniedrigen
erniedrigende Behandlung
jemanden vor anderen erniedrigen
systematisch erniedrigen
sich vor jemandem erniedrigen
jemanden in seiner Ehre erniedrigen
erniedrigende Bedingungen
jemanden verbal erniedrigen

Phrases Courantes

sich nicht erniedrigen lassen

— To not allow oneself to be humiliated.

Du darfst dich von ihm nicht erniedrigen lassen!

eine erniedrigende Erfahrung

— A humiliating experience.

Das Vorstellungsgespräch war eine erniedrigende Erfahrung.

jemanden bis aufs Blut erniedrigen

— To humiliate someone extremely (idiomatic).

Er hat seinen Gegner bis aufs Blut erniedrigt.

sich zum Sklaven erniedrigen

— To stoop to being a slave (often figurative).

Er erniedrigte sich zum Sklaven seiner Arbeit.

jemanden zum Objekt erniedrigen

— To treat someone like an object.

In der Werbung werden Frauen oft zum Objekt erniedrigt.

die pure Erniedrigung

— Pure humiliation.

Es war für ihn die pure Erniedrigung.

sich für nichts erniedrigen

— To humiliate oneself for no reason.

Er hat sich für nichts und wieder nichts erniedrigt.

eine Geste der Erniedrigung

— A gesture of humiliation.

Das war eine bewusste Geste der Erniedrigung.

jemanden systematisch fertigmachen und erniedrigen

— To systematically break someone down and humiliate them.

Die Mobber wollten ihn systematisch fertigmachen und erniedrigen.

sich zu einer Entschuldigung erniedrigen

— To stoop to making an apology (implies the apology is seen as a loss of face).

Endlich erniedrigte er sich zu einer Entschuldigung.

Souvent confondu avec

erniedrigen vs senken

Senken is for numbers/prices; erniedrigen is for people.

erniedrigen vs beleidigen

Beleidigen is an insult; erniedrigen is a deeper degradation.

erniedrigen vs demütigen

Very similar, but demütigen is more about pride/shame.

Expressions idiomatiques

"sich in den Staub erniedrigen"

— To humble oneself to the extreme (literally 'into the dust').

Er erniedrigte sich vor dem König bis in den Staub.

literary
"jemanden im Regen stehen lassen"

— Not directly 'erniedrigen', but often a part of humiliating someone by abandoning them in a difficult situation.

Er hat mich vor den Kunden im Regen stehen lassen.

informal
"jemandem die Würde rauben"

— To rob someone of their dignity (a strong synonym for 'erniedrigen').

Die Behandlung raubte ihm jegliche Würde.

formal
"jemanden wie Dreck behandeln"

— To treat someone like dirt (a very common informal way to describe humiliation).

Er behandelt seine Angestellten wie Dreck.

informal
"sich die Blöße geben"

— To expose oneself to ridicule or shame.

Er wollte sich vor seinen Feinden nicht die Blöße geben.

neutral
"jemanden zur Schnecke machen"

— To dress someone down or humiliate them through harsh scolding.

Der Lehrer hat ihn vor der Klasse zur Schnecke gemacht.

informal
"jemanden vor den Kopf stoßen"

— To offend or snub someone, which can be humiliating.

Mit seiner Absage hat er sie vor den Kopf gestoßen.

neutral
"sich klein machen"

— To make oneself small (figuratively), to be submissive.

Du musst dich nicht vor ihm klein machen.

neutral
"jemanden abkanzeln"

— To dismiss or rebuke someone in a superior, humiliating way.

Er wurde vom Chef vor allen anderen abgekanzelt.

neutral
"jemandem den Schneid abkaufen"

— To intimidate someone so they lose their confidence (part of humiliation).

Der Boxer hat seinem Gegner früh den Schneid abgekauft.

informal

Facile à confondre

erniedrigen vs niedrig

It's the root.

'Niedrig' is an adjective (low); 'erniedrigen' is the verb (to humiliate).

Der Tisch ist niedrig. Er will mich erniedrigen.

erniedrigen vs herablassen

Both mean 'lowering'.

'Herablassen' is physical or means 'to condescend'; 'erniedrigen' is to humiliate.

Er lässt das Fenster herab. Er erniedrigt seine Feinde.

erniedrigen vs unterdrücken

Both involve power.

'Unterdrücken' is to oppress or suppress; 'erniedrigen' is to humiliate.

Das Volk wird unterdrückt. Die Gefangenen werden erniedrigt.

erniedrigen vs verspotten

Both are mean.

'Verspotten' is to mock or ridicule; 'erniedrigen' is more serious and structural.

Sie verspotteten seine Kleidung. Er wurde durch die Zeremonie erniedrigt.

erniedrigen vs verunglimpfen

Both damage reputation.

'Verunglimpfen' is to disparage/slander; 'erniedrigen' is the act of humiliation itself.

Er verunglimpfte seinen Ruf. Er erniedrigte ihn vor Zeugen.

Structures de phrases

B1

Jemand erniedrigt jemanden.

Der Chef erniedrigt den Arbeiter.

B1

Sich erniedrigen.

Ich werde mich nicht erniedrigen.

B2

Sich zu etwas (Dat) erniedrigen.

Er erniedrigt sich zu einer Bitte.

B2

Jemanden vor anderen erniedrigen.

Er erniedrigt sie vor der Klasse.

C1

Etwas als erniedrigend empfinden.

Sie empfand die Strafe als erniedrigend.

C1

Erniedrigt werden durch (Akk).

Er wurde durch die Kritik erniedrigt.

C2

Die Erniedrigung von (Dat).

Die Erniedrigung des Gegners war sein Ziel.

C2

Sich bis zur Unkenntlichkeit erniedrigen.

Er hat sich bis zur Unkenntlichkeit erniedrigt.

Famille de mots

Noms

die Erniedrigung (humiliation)
der Erniedriger (the humiliator)
die Selbsterniedrigung (self-humiliation)

Verbes

niedermachen (to put down)
erniedrigen (to humiliate)

Adjectifs

niedrig (low)
erniedrigend (humiliating)
erniedrigt (humiliated)

Apparenté

die Demut
demütigen
die Würde
die Schande
nieder
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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in serious discussions, news, and literature.

Erreurs courantes
  • Die Preise wurden erniedrigt. → Die Preise wurden gesenkt.

    'Erniedrigen' is for dignity, 'senken' is for values.

  • Er erniedrigt zu lügen. → Er erniedrigt sich dazu, zu lügen.

    Needs reflexive 'sich' and the preposition 'dazu'.

  • Ich fühle mich erniedrigend. → Ich fühle mich erniedrigt.

    'Erniedrigend' is the cause (humiliating); 'erniedrigt' is the feeling (humiliated).

  • Er erniedrigt sein Freund. → Er erniedrigt seinen Freund.

    Requires accusative case for the object.

  • Sie wollte ihn für seine Fehler erniedrigen. → Sie wollte ihn wegen seiner Fehler erniedrigen.

    'Wegen' (because of) is more natural here than 'für'.

Astuces

Reflexive Pronoun

Don't forget the 'sich'! 'Er erniedrigt sich' means he humbles himself. Without 'sich', he needs an object to humiliate.

Avoid for Prices

Never use 'erniedrigen' for numbers or prices. Use 'senken' instead.

The 'Niedrig' Connection

If you forget the meaning, just think of 'niedrig' (low). To erniedrigen is to 'make low'.

Social Weight

This is a heavy word. Use it for serious situations like bullying or human rights, not for light teasing.

Human Rights

In a legal context, 'erniedrigende Behandlung' is a specific term for treatment that violates human dignity.

The 'ie' Sound

Make sure the 'ie' is long. If it's too short, it might sound like a different word.

Adverb Pairing

Use 'zutiefst' (deeply) with 'erniedrigt' to show the intensity of the feeling.

German History

Be aware that this word carries historical weight in Germany, especially regarding the 20th century.

Demütigen vs Erniedrigen

If you want to sound more emotional, use 'demütigen'. If you want to sound more social/formal, use 'erniedrigen'.

In the Dust

The phrase 'sich in den Staub erniedrigen' is very dramatic and great for storytelling.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of the word 'niedrig' (low). 'Er-niedrig-en' is the process of making someone feel 'niedrig'. If you feel 'niedrig', you are on the floor, humiliated.

Association visuelle

Imagine a person standing on a tall pedestal and someone else kicking the pedestal away so they fall down to the 'low' (niedrig) ground.

Word Web

niedrig Erniedrigung erniedrigend Demütigung Schande Würde Stolz Macht

Défi

Try to write three sentences: one about a boss, one about a historical event, and one using the reflexive 'sich erniedrigen'.

Origine du mot

From the Middle High German 'nider' (down/low) and the Old High German 'nidar'. The prefix 'er-' was added to indicate a change of state or an action directed at someone.

Sens originel : To make low, to bring down.

Germanic

Contexte culturel

This word describes a form of psychological abuse. Use it with care and empathy.

In English, 'humiliate' is the closest equivalent, but 'degrade' often captures the 'making low' aspect of 'erniedrigen' better.

The novel 'Die Erniedrigten und Beleidigten' (The Insulted and Humiliated) by Dostoyevsky (German translation). Legal texts regarding the European Convention on Human Rights. Psychological studies on 'Mobbing' in Germany.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Workplace Bullying

  • Mobbing am Arbeitsplatz
  • jemanden vor dem Team erniedrigen
  • erniedrigende Aufgaben
  • sich gegen Erniedrigung wehren

Human Rights

  • erniedrigende Behandlung
  • Verletzung der Menschenwürde
  • Folter und Erniedrigung
  • internationale Abkommen

Personal Relationships

  • sich in einer Beziehung erniedrigt fühlen
  • jemanden absichtlich erniedrigen
  • eine Entschuldigung für die Erniedrigung
  • gegenseitiger Respekt

Literature/Drama

  • die Erniedrigung des Helden
  • ein Akt der Selbsterniedrigung
  • jemanden in den Staub erniedrigen
  • Rache für die Erniedrigung

Social Media/Internet

  • Cyber-Mobbing und Erniedrigung
  • jemanden öffentlich bloßstellen
  • erniedrigende Kommentare löschen
  • Shitstorm als Erniedrigung

Amorces de conversation

"Hast du dich jemals bei der Arbeit erniedrigt gefühlt?"

"Was ist für dich der Unterschied zwischen einer Beleidigung und einer Erniedrigung?"

"Warum erniedrigen manche Menschen andere, um sich selbst besser zu fühlen?"

"Sollte das Gesetz strenger gegen öffentliche Erniedrigung vorgehen?"

"Kann man sich selbst erniedrigen, ohne es zu merken?"

Sujets d'écriture

Schreibe über eine Situation, in der du gesehen hast, wie jemand erniedrigt wurde. Wie hast du reagiert?

Was bedeutet 'Würde' für dich und wie schützt du dich vor Erniedrigung?

Reflektiere über die Phrase 'sich zu einer Lüge erniedrigen'. Hast du das schon einmal erlebt?

Diskutiere, warum 'erniedrigende Behandlung' in der Politik ein so wichtiger Begriff ist.

Schreibe einen Brief an jemanden, der dich erniedrigt hat (du musst ihn nicht abschicken).

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

In modern German, yes. It almost always describes a cruel or unfair action. In older religious contexts, 'sich erniedrigen' could mean to be humble, but that is rare today.

No, for prices use 'senken' or 'reduzieren'. 'Erniedrigen' is only for human dignity or social status.

They are very close. 'Erniedrigen' (from 'low') often feels more social/status-based, while 'demütigen' (from 'humility') feels more personal/emotional. They are often used as synonyms.

It is common in literature, news, and serious conversations, but you won't hear it every day in casual chats.

You can say 'Ich fühle mich erniedrigt' or 'Das war erniedrigend für mich'.

It is the act of humiliating oneself, often to please others or out of a lack of self-worth.

It's rare, but you could use it to describe degrading treatment of animals, though 'quälen' (to torture) or 'nicht artgerecht halten' is more common.

Yes, 'der Erniedriger', but it is not very common. Usually, we describe the person as 'jemand, der andere erniedrigt'.

The prefix is 'er-'. It often indicates a change of state (e.g., 'erblassen' - to turn pale, 'erniedrigen' - to make low).

No, it is a weak (regular) verb: erniedrigen, erniedrigte, hat erniedrigt.

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error correction

Er hat mich zutiefst erniedrigend.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : Er hat mich zutiefst erniedrigt.

Use the past participle for the passive feeling.

/ 56 correct

Perfect score!

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