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B1 noun #7,500 よく出る 10分で読める

Verzweiflung

上位7,500

練習する例文メモとヒント Verzweiflung 30秒で

解説 Verzweiflung in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'Verzweiflung' means 'despair'. It is a very strong feeling when you are very, very sad and have no hope. You might not use the noun often, but you might hear the adjective 'verzweifelt' (desperate). For example, 'Ich bin verzweifelt' means 'I am desperate'. This is a word for big problems, not small ones. If you lose your keys, you are 'traurig' (sad) or 'ärgerlich' (angry), but if you lose everything, you are 'verzweifelt'. Just remember: it is a big emotion. It is a feminine word: 'die Verzweiflung'. You don't need to use it in complex sentences yet, just recognize it as a word for 'no hope'.

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At A2, you can start using 'Verzweiflung' in simple contexts. You should know that it comes from 'Zweifel' (doubt). When doubt is very strong, it becomes despair. You might see it in phrases like 'aus Verzweiflung' (out of despair). For example: 'Er weint aus Verzweiflung' (He cries out of despair). You should also know the adjective 'verzweifelt'. If a person looks very sad and like they have no help, they look 'verzweifelt'. Remember that it is a 'die' word because it ends in '-ung'. Try to use it only for very serious situations so you don't sound too dramatic in everyday life.

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At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'Verzweiflung' to describe emotions in stories or personal experiences. You should learn common phrases like 'jemanden zur Verzweiflung bringen' (to drive someone to despair). This phrase is often used when someone is being very difficult. You should also understand the difference between 'Verzweiflung' (the feeling) and 'Hoffnungslosigkeit' (the state of having no hope). At this level, you can use prepositions correctly: 'vor Verzweiflung' (because of despair) or 'in Verzweiflung' (in despair). You should also be able to form sentences where 'Verzweiflung' is the subject, such as 'Die Verzweiflung wuchs' (The despair grew). This word is very useful for the B1 speaking and writing exams when you need to describe feelings in a narrative.

At B2, you should understand the deeper nuances of 'Verzweiflung'. It is not just sadness; it is an existential state. You should be familiar with its use in literature and news. You can use more complex verbs with it, like 'überkommen' (to overcome) or 'stürzen' (to plunge). For example: 'Eine tiefe Verzweiflung überkam sie' (A deep despair overcame her). You should also be able to use the verb 'verzweifeln' with the preposition 'an'. 'Ich verzweifle an dieser Situation' means you are losing hope because of the situation. At this level, you should also recognize the word in more abstract contexts, like economic or political despair in a country.

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At the C1 level, you should explore the philosophical and psychological aspects of 'Verzweiflung'. In German philosophy (like Kierkegaard, though he wrote in Danish, his influence on German thought is huge), 'Verzweiflung' is a key concept. You should be able to discuss 'Verzweiflung' as a motivator for social change or as a theme in classical German literature (like Goethe's 'Werther'). You should use sophisticated collocations like 'blanke Verzweiflung' (sheer despair) or 'existenzielle Verzweiflung'. Your usage should be precise, distinguishing it from 'Resignation', 'Apathie', or 'Melancholie'. You can also use it rhetorically to emphasize the gravity of a social issue in a formal essay or debate.

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At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'Verzweiflung'. You can use it with subtle irony or in highly poetic contexts. You understand its etymological roots and how they play into its current meaning. You can analyze its role in complex texts and use it to describe multifaceted emotional states. You are familiar with literary idioms and can use the word to create specific atmospheres in your writing. You can distinguish between the 'Verzweiflung' of a tragic hero and the 'Verzweiflung' of a modern bureaucratic victim. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker, utilizing the full range of prepositional phrases and collocations effortlessly.

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練習する例文メモとヒント

Verzweiflung 30秒で

Verzweiflung is the German noun for 'despair' or 'desperation', indicating a total loss of hope.
It is a feminine noun (die Verzweiflung) and is often used with the preposition 'aus' (out of).
Commonly heard in phrases like 'jemanden zur Verzweiflung bringen' to describe extreme frustration.
It is a heavy, emotional word reserved for serious situations or dramatic emphasis in literature.

The German word Verzweiflung is a powerful noun that translates to "despair" or "desperation" in English. It describes a profound emotional state where an individual feels they have lost all hope, reaching a point of utter hopelessness or powerlessness. Unlike mere sadness or temporary frustration, Verzweiflung implies a deep existential or situational crisis where no solution seems visible. It is derived from the verb verzweifeln, which itself comes from Zweifel (doubt). In the German mind, despair is essentially a doubt that has become absolute and destructive—a state where you no longer just doubt something, but you have lost the ability to believe in any positive outcome at all.

Existential Context: In literature and philosophy, Verzweiflung is often used to describe the human condition when faced with the meaninglessness of life or unavoidable tragedy. It is a central theme in the works of German Romanticism and Existentialism.

Nach dem Verlust seines Arbeitsplatzes und seiner Wohnung überkam ihn eine tiefe Verzweiflung.

People use this word when the situation is grave. You wouldn't use Verzweiflung because you missed a bus, unless you were being extremely hyperbolic. You use it when talking about systemic failures, personal tragedies, or intense psychological struggles. It is a heavy word, carrying the weight of a soul that sees no light at the end of the tunnel. In daily conversation, it might appear in phrases like "jemanden zur Verzweiflung bringen" (to drive someone to despair/distraction), which can sometimes be used more lightly to describe someone being very annoying or difficult to deal with.

Emotional Intensity: The intensity of Verzweiflung is higher than Traurigkeit (sadness) or Kummer (grief). It suggests a total collapse of the will to continue in the current path.

Ihre Augen waren voller Verzweiflung, als sie die Nachricht erhielt.

Furthermore, Verzweiflung can be seen as an active state. One can act "aus Verzweiflung" (out of despair). This often explains desperate actions taken when no other options seem available. It’s the motivation behind the "last resort." When a person is driven to do something radical because they feel they have nothing left to lose, that action is born from Verzweiflung. Understanding this nuance is crucial for B1 learners, as it helps distinguish between simple feelings and driving forces in a narrative or personal account.

Grammatical Gender: Always remember that Verzweiflung is feminine (die Verzweiflung), ending in the suffix -ung, which is a hallmark of feminine nouns in German.

Using Verzweiflung correctly involves understanding its role as a noun and its common prepositional pairings. Most frequently, you will see it paired with the preposition aus (out of) or in (in). When someone does something because they are desperate, they do it aus Verzweiflung. When someone falls into a state of despair, they fall in Verzweiflung. Because it is an abstract noun, it is rarely used in the plural form, though technically Verzweiflungen exists, it is almost never encountered in modern German.

Common Verb Pairings: Verbs like treiben (to drive), stürzen (to plunge), and überkommen (to overcome) are frequently used with Verzweiflung.

Er handelte aus reiner Verzweiflung, als er das Geld stahl.

Another important construction is the phrase jemanden zur Verzweiflung bringen. This literally means "to bring someone to despair," but in everyday German, it is often used to mean that someone is being so difficult, annoying, or stubborn that you are losing your patience. For example, a difficult math problem or a rebellious child might bring you to Verzweiflung. It’s important to judge the context to know if the speaker is being literal or slightly dramatic.

Prepositional Usage: Use vor with Verzweiflung to indicate a cause of a physical reaction: "Er weinte vor Verzweiflung" (He cried out of/from despair).

Diese komplizierte Bedienungsanleitung bringt mich noch zur Verzweiflung!

In formal writing, you might see Verzweiflung as the subject of a sentence, often personified or described as a weight. "Die Verzweiflung packte ihn" (Despair gripped him). Here, the definite article die is used because you are referring to the specific emotion as a concept. In poetic or literary German, you might also find the adjective verzweifelt (desperate), which is the most common way to describe a person's state of mind directly: "Ich bin verzweifelt" (I am desperate).

Sentence Structure: When using Verzweiflung in a subordinate clause, remember the verb-final rule: "Ich wusste nicht, wie ich meine Verzweiflung ausdrücken sollte."

You will encounter Verzweiflung in a variety of settings, ranging from high-brow literature to evening news reports and even daily venting sessions. In news broadcasts, it often appears in the context of humanitarian crises or economic downturns. For instance, a reporter might describe the Verzweiflung of refugees or families who have lost everything in a natural disaster. In these cases, the word carries its full, heavy, tragic meaning, highlighting the gravity of the situation to the audience.

In News and Media: Journalists use the term to evoke empathy and emphasize the severity of human suffering in conflict zones or disaster areas.

Die Hilfsorganisationen berichten von wachsender Verzweiflung in der Bevölkerung.

In German literature and cinema, Verzweiflung is a staple. From the classic "Sturm und Drang" period to modern psychological thrillers, the internal struggle of a character facing despair is a common trope. If you watch a German drama (Krimi or Drama), listen for characters expressing their feelings during a climax; you are likely to hear someone say they are verzweifelt or that they don't know what to do in their Verzweiflung. It provides a linguistic peak for emotional scenes.

In Everyday Speech: While still a strong word, it is used colloquially to express extreme frustration with inanimate objects or bureaucratic processes.

"Ich bin der Verzweiflung nahe", sagte der Trainer nach der zehnten Niederlage in Folge.

Musically, especially in German "Liedermacher" traditions or opera, Verzweiflung is a frequent lyrical theme. It resonates with the German cultural appreciation for deep, soul-searching emotions. Whether it's a pop song about a breakup or a classical aria, the word helps convey the absolute bottom of an emotional journey. Understanding this helps you connect with the cultural depth of the language beyond simple vocabulary lists. It's a word that bridges the gap between the mundane and the profound.

Cultural Context: Germans generally value emotional authenticity, so using a strong word like Verzweiflung is seen as an honest expression of a serious state.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is overusing Verzweiflung in situations that only warrant minor frustration. In English, we might say "I'm so desperate for a coffee," but in German, saying "Ich bin verzweifelt nach einem Kaffee" sounds absurdly dramatic, as if your life is ending without caffeine. For minor needs, use dringend (urgently) or ich hätte gerne (I would like). Reserve Verzweiflung for when things are truly bleak.

Literal Translation Error: Avoid translating "desperate" as verzweifelt in the context of "wanting something badly." Use unbedingt or sehnsüchtig instead.

Falsch: Ich bin verzweifelt, dieses neue Handy zu kaufen. (Incorrect usage for simple desire)

Another common error is using the wrong preposition. Students often try to translate "despair of" directly as "Verzweiflung von." However, in German, we use an with the dative case for the verb: an etwas verzweifeln (to despair of something). For the noun, we often use über (about) or simply describe the cause. For example: "die Verzweiflung über den Verlust" (the despair over the loss). Using the wrong preposition can make your German sound clunky or unnatural.

Preposition Pitfall: Remember: verzweifeln an (+ Dativ). Example: "Ich verzweifle an dieser Aufgabe" (I am despairing of this task).

Richtig: Er ist verzweifelt. Falsch: Er ist Verzweiflung.

Finally, learners sometimes confuse Verzweiflung with Enttäuschung (disappointment). While they are related, Enttäuschung is much milder. You are disappointed when a movie is bad; you are in Verzweiflung when your house burns down. Mixing these up can lead to misunderstandings about how serious you are taking a situation. Always lean towards the milder word unless the situation is truly catastrophic. Being aware of these distinctions will elevate your German from basic translation to nuanced communication.

Gender Confusion: Since it ends in -ung, it is die Verzweiflung. Never use der or das.

When you want to express a similar feeling but Verzweiflung feels too strong or not quite right, German offers several alternatives. Hoffnungslosigkeit (hopelessness) is the closest synonym. It is often used more objectively to describe a situation where there is no hope, whereas Verzweiflung focuses on the internal emotional agony. If the situation is specifically about being stuck without a way out, Ausweglosigkeit (way-out-less-ness) is an excellent, more descriptive choice.

Verzweiflung vs. Hoffnungslosigkeit: Verzweiflung is the active feeling; Hoffnungslosigkeit is the objective state of lacking hope.

Die Ausweglosigkeit seiner Lage trieb ihn in die Verzweiflung.

For lower levels of distress, consider Niedergeschlagenheit (dejection/depression) or Kummer (grief/sorrow). Kummer is often used for personal heartaches or smaller worries, like "Liebeskummer" (lovesickness). If you are simply frustrated because something is difficult, Frustration is a perfectly acceptable loanword in German, though Frust is more common in casual conversation. Using these alternatives allows you to precisely calibrate the emotional temperature of your speech.

Other Nuances: Use Resignation when the despair has turned into a passive acceptance of a bad fate.

Es war eine Mischung aus Traurigkeit und tiefer Verzweiflung.

In a more academic or literary context, you might encounter Erbärmlichkeit (misery/pitiableness) or Trübsal (melancholy/woe). While Trübsal is somewhat old-fashioned (often heard in the phrase "Trübsal blasen" - to mope), it adds a certain flavor to your vocabulary. Knowing these synonyms helps you avoid repetition and shows that you have a sophisticated grasp of German emotional vocabulary. Each word carries a slightly different shade of "feeling bad," and picking the right one is key to sounding like a native speaker.

Comparison Table: Verzweiflung: Intense, active agony. | Hoffnungslosigkeit: Absence of hope. | Kummer: General sorrow or worry.

How Formal Is It?

豆知識

The root 'Zweifel' (doubt) is related to 'zwei' (two), suggesting a state of being pulled between two possibilities. 'Verzweiflung' is when that tension breaks into a single, negative certainty.

発音ガイド

UK /fɛɐ̯ˈt͡svaɪ̯flʊŋ/

US /fɛrˈtsvaɪflʊŋ/

The primary stress is on the second syllable: Ver-ZWEIF-lung.

韻が合う語

Heilung Teilung Peilung Keilung Eilung Pfeilung Beilung Meilung

よくある間違い

Pronouncing 'v' as 'v' instead of 'f'. In German, 'v' in 'ver-' is always an 'f' sound.
Misplacing the stress on the first syllable.
Pronouncing the '-ung' like 'ung-guh' instead of a soft nasal ending.
Stressing the 'z' too softly; it should be a sharp 'ts' sound.
Shortening the 'ei' sound which should be a long diphthong like 'eye'.

難易度

読解 3/5

Common in literature and news, easy to recognize but context-dependent.

ライティング 4/5

Requires correct prepositional use and understanding of intensity.

スピーキング 4/5

Pronunciation of 'ts' and 'ei' can be tricky for beginners.

リスニング 3/5

Clearly articulated usually, but can be confused with 'Verzweifelt'.

次に学ぶべきこと

前提知識

Zweifel hoffen Angst traurig fühlen

次に学ぶ

Hoffnungslosigkeit Ausweglosigkeit Resignation überkommen stürzen

上級

Weltschmerz Existenzialismus Erbärmlichkeit Trübsal

知っておくべき文法

Feminine nouns ending in -ung

Die Verzweiflung, die Hoffnung, die Lösung.

Preposition 'aus' for motivation

Er tat es aus Liebe / aus Verzweiflung.

Preposition 'vor' for physical cause

Vor Angst zittern / vor Verzweiflung weinen.

Verb 'verzweifeln' with 'an' + Dative

Ich verzweifle an meinen Fehlern.

Genitive case for possession/association

Der Schrei der Verzweiflung.

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レベル別の例文

Sie hat große Verzweiflung.

She has great despair.

Simple noun usage with 'haben'.

Ich fühle Verzweiflung.

I feel despair.

Direct object of the verb 'fühlen'.

Die Verzweiflung ist groß.

The despair is great.

Subject of the sentence with 'sein'.

Keine Verzweiflung!

No despair! (Don't despair!)

Imperative-like use of 'keine' with a noun.

Er sieht die Verzweiflung.

He sees the despair.

Accusative case after 'sehen'.

Ist das Verzweiflung?

Is that despair?

Simple question structure.

Verzweiflung ist traurig.

Despair is sad.

Abstract noun as a general subject.

Sie weint vor Verzweiflung.

She cries from despair.

Preposition 'vor' indicates cause.

Er handelt aus Verzweiflung.

He acts out of despair.

Preposition 'aus' used for motivation.

Ihre Verzweiflung war deutlich zu sehen.

Her despair was clearly visible.

Adverb 'deutlich' modifying the visibility.

In seiner Verzweiflung rief er an.

In his despair, he called.

Prepositional phrase 'in seiner Verzweiflung'.

Die Verzweiflung macht ihn krank.

Despair makes him sick.

Noun as an active agent.

Wir müssen die Verzweiflung beenden.

We must end the despair.

Modal verb 'müssen' with infinitive.

Es gibt viel Verzweiflung in der Welt.

There is much despair in the world.

'Es gibt' followed by accusative.

Trotz seiner Verzweiflung gab er nicht auf.

Despite his despair, he did not give up.

Preposition 'trotz' takes the genitive case.

Sie sprach über ihre Verzweiflung.

She spoke about her despair.

Preposition 'über' with accusative.

Das Kind brachte die Eltern zur Verzweiflung.

The child drove the parents to despair.

Idiomatic phrase 'zur Verzweiflung bringen'.

Aus reiner Verzweiflung unterschrieb er den Vertrag.

Out of pure despair, he signed the contract.

Adjective 'rein' modifying the noun.

Die Nachricht stürzte sie in tiefe Verzweiflung.

The news plunged her into deep despair.

Verb 'stürzen' with preposition 'in'.

Man konnte die Verzweiflung in ihrer Stimme hören.

One could hear the despair in her voice.

Use of 'man' as an indefinite subject.

Es war ein Schrei der Verzweiflung.

It was a cry of despair.

Genitive case 'der Verzweiflung'.

Seine Verzweiflung war größer als seine Angst.

His despair was greater than his fear.

Comparative 'größer als'.

Sie kämpfte gegen die aufkommende Verzweiflung.

She fought against the rising despair.

Preposition 'gegen' with accusative.

Ohne Hoffnung gibt es nur noch Verzweiflung.

Without hope, there is only despair left.

Adverb 'nur noch' for emphasis.

Die wirtschaftliche Lage führte zu allgemeiner Verzweiflung.

The economic situation led to general despair.

Verb 'führen zu' with dative case.

Er war der Verzweiflung nahe, als er die Prüfung nicht bestand.

He was close to despair when he failed the exam.

Adjective 'nahe' used with dative.

Die Verzweiflung der Angehörigen war herzzerreißend.

The despair of the relatives was heartbreaking.

Genitive plural 'der Angehörigen'.

Sie suchte einen Ausweg aus ihrer Verzweiflung.

She looked for a way out of her despair.

Noun 'Ausweg' paired with 'aus'.

Verzweiflung kann Menschen zu extremen Taten treiben.

Despair can drive people to extreme acts.

Modal verb 'kann' and infinitive 'treiben'.

In einem Moment der Verzweiflung verlor er den Verstand.

In a moment of despair, he lost his mind.

Genitive construction 'Moment der Verzweiflung'.

Die politische Verzweiflung im Land wächst stetig.

Political despair in the country is growing steadily.

Attributive adjective 'politische'.

Es gibt keinen Grund zur Verzweiflung, solange wir zusammen sind.

There is no reason for despair as long as we are together.

Conjunction 'solange' for duration.

Das Werk thematisiert die existenzielle Verzweiflung des Individuums.

The work themes the existential despair of the individual.

Academic verb 'thematisieren'.

Seine Worte waren von einer tiefen Verzweiflung geprägt.

His words were characterized by a deep despair.

Passive construction with 'geprägt von'.

Die Verzweiflung schlug schließlich in nackte Wut um.

The despair finally turned into naked rage.

Phrasal verb 'umschlagen in'.

Sie verbarg ihre Verzweiflung hinter einer Maske der Fröhlichkeit.

She hid her despair behind a mask of cheerfulness.

Metaphorical usage.

Die Verzweiflung ist oft der Nährboden für radikale Ideologien.

Despair is often the breeding ground for radical ideologies.

Metaphor 'Nährboden'.

Er analysierte die psychologischen Ursachen der Verzweiflung.

He analyzed the psychological causes of despair.

Complex noun phrase.

Jenseits aller Verzweiflung fand sie neuen Mut.

Beyond all despair, she found new courage.

Preposition 'jenseits' with genitive.

Die Verzweiflung über die Ungerechtigkeit trieb sie auf die Straße.

Despair over the injustice drove them onto the streets.

Prepositional object 'über die Ungerechtigkeit'.

In der Verzweiflung offenbart sich oft der wahre Charakter eines Menschen.

In despair, the true character of a person is often revealed.

Reflexive verb 'sich offenbaren'.

Das Gedicht evoziert eine Atmosphäre der absoluten Verzweiflung.

The poem evokes an atmosphere of absolute despair.

Sophisticated verb 'evozieren'.

Verzweiflung ist das Paradoxon der Hoffnung, die sich selbst verzehrt.

Despair is the paradox of hope consuming itself.

Philosophical definition.

Die schiere Verzweiflung seiner Lage entzog sich jeder Beschreibung.

The sheer despair of his situation defied all description.

Idiomatic 'sich jeder Beschreibung entziehen'.

Es ist ein schmaler Grat zwischen melancholischer Träumerei und tiefer Verzweiflung.

It is a fine line between melancholic reverie and deep despair.

Idiom 'ein schmaler Grat'.

Seine Verzweiflung war so grenzenlos wie der Ozean, an dessen Ufer er stand.

His despair was as limitless as the ocean on whose shore he stood.

Relative clause with genitive 'dessen'.

Kierkegaard beschrieb die Verzweiflung als die 'Krankheit zum Tode'.

Kierkegaard described despair as the 'sickness unto death'.

Direct literary citation.

Die Verzweiflung, die aus der Entfremdung resultiert, ist ein modernes Phänomen.

The despair resulting from alienation is a modern phenomenon.

Subordinate clause with 'resultieren aus'.

よく使う組み合わせ

tiefe Verzweiflung

blanke Verzweiflung

stille Verzweiflung

aus Verzweiflung

vor Verzweiflung

zur Verzweiflung bringen

nahe der Verzweiflung

in Verzweiflung stürzen

ein Schrei der Verzweiflung

die Verzweiflung überwinden

よく使うフレーズ

Jemanden zur Verzweiflung bringen

— To drive someone crazy or to make them lose hope.

Diese Hausaufgaben bringen mich zur Verzweiflung.

Aus reiner Verzweiflung

— Doing something only because there is no other choice.

Er kaufte das teure Ticket aus reiner Verzweiflung.

Der Verzweiflung nahe sein

— To be on the verge of giving up hope.

Nach dem dritten Versuch war sie der Verzweiflung nahe.

In Verzweiflung versinken

— To become completely overwhelmed by despair.

Er versank nach dem Unfall in Verzweiflung.

Ein Akt der Verzweiflung

— A desperate act taken as a last resort.

Sein Rücktritt war ein Akt der Verzweiflung.

Stumme Verzweiflung

— Despair that is felt deeply but not expressed aloud.

In seinem Gesicht stand stumme Verzweiflung.

Kein Grund zur Verzweiflung

— No reason to lose hope yet.

Es gibt noch keinen Grund zur Verzweiflung.

Vor Verzweiflung nicht mehr ein noch aus wissen

— To be so desperate that one doesn't know what to do anymore.

Er wusste vor Verzweiflung nicht mehr ein noch aus.

Die Verzweiflung packt jemanden

— Despair suddenly seizes or overcomes someone.

Mitten in der Nacht packte ihn die Verzweiflung.

Verzweiflung pur

— Pure, unadulterated despair.

Das Spiel gestern war Verzweiflung pur.

よく混同される語

Verzweiflung vs Enttäuschung

Enttäuschung is disappointment, which is much weaker than Verzweiflung.

Verzweiflung vs Traurigkeit

Traurigkeit is general sadness; Verzweiflung is the loss of hope.

Verzweiflung vs Wut

Wut is anger; though despair can lead to anger, they are distinct emotions.

慣用句と表現

"Trübsal blasen"

— To mope or be in a state of mild despair/sadness.

Hör auf, Trübsal zu blasen, und komm mit uns!

informal

"Den Kopf in den Sand stecken"

— To ignore a desperate situation instead of facing it.

Du kannst nicht einfach den Kopf in den Sand stecken.

neutral

"Alles grau in grau malen"

— To see everything through the lens of despair and pessimism.

Mal nicht alles grau in grau!

neutral

"Am Boden zerstört sein"

— To be completely crushed or devastated by despair.

Nach der Nachricht war sie am Boden zerstört.

informal

"In der Klemme stecken"

— To be in a desperate, difficult situation with no easy way out.

Wir stecken echt in der Klemme.

informal

"Die Felle davonschwimmen sehen"

— To see one's hopes or chances disappearing (leading to despair).

Er sah seine Felle davonschwimmen.

neutral

"An die Decke gehen"

— Sometimes used when frustration reaches a point of despair/anger.

Bei diesem Lärm könnte ich an die Decke gehen!

informal

"Mit dem Rücken zur Wand stehen"

— To be in a desperate situation with no room to maneuver.

Die Firma steht mit dem Rücken zur Wand.

neutral

"Hopfen und Malz verloren"

— When a situation is so desperate that all effort is wasted.

Bei ihm ist Hopfen und Malz verloren.

informal

"Sich die Haare raufen"

— A physical gesture of despair or extreme frustration.

Er raufte sich die Haare vor Verzweiflung.

neutral

間違えやすい

Verzweiflung vs Zweifel

Both share the same root.

Zweifel is just doubt; Verzweiflung is the total state of despair resulting from doubt.

Ich habe Zweifel (I have doubts) vs. Ich bin in Verzweiflung (I am in despair).

Verzweiflung vs Verzweifelt

Noun vs. Adjective/Adverb.

Verzweiflung is the noun (the despair); verzweifelt is the adjective (desperate).

Seine Verzweiflung ist groß vs. Er ist verzweifelt.

Verzweiflung vs Hoffnungslosigkeit

Very similar meaning.

Hoffnungslosigkeit is the objective lack of hope; Verzweiflung is the subjective emotional agony.

Die Hoffnungslosigkeit der Lage vs. Seine persönliche Verzweiflung.

Verzweiflung vs Frustration

Often used for difficult tasks.

Frustration is feeling blocked; Verzweiflung is feeling like there is no possible success.

Ich habe Frust wegen des Staus vs. Ich bin in Verzweiflung wegen meines Lebens.

Verzweiflung vs Angst

Both are strong negative emotions.

Angst is fear of something; Verzweiflung is the feeling that hope is gone.

Ich habe Angst vor Spinnen vs. Ich fühle Verzweiflung nach dem Bankrott.

文型パターン

Ich habe [Noun].

Ich habe Verzweiflung.

Er ist [Adjective].

Er ist verzweifelt.

[Subject] bringt mich zur Verzweiflung.

Diese Arbeit bringt mich zur Verzweiflung.

Aus [Noun] [Verb] er.

Aus Verzweiflung lachte er.

Die [Noun] über [Accusative] ist groß.

Die Verzweiflung über den Verlust ist groß.

[Verb] an [Dative].

Wir verzweifeln an der Bürokratie.

Eine [Adjective] Verzweiflung [Verb] ihn.

Eine tiefe Verzweiflung überkam ihn.

In der Verzweiflung [Verb] sich [Subject].

In der Verzweiflung zeigt sich die Stärke.

語族

名詞

Verzweiflung

Verzweifelte

Verzweiflungstat

動詞

verzweifeln

形容詞

verzweifelt

使い方

frequency

Common in news and literature; moderate in daily speech.

よくある間違い

Using 'der Verzweiflung' → die Verzweiflung
The suffix -ung is always feminine. Using the wrong article is a common beginner mistake.
Ich bin verzweifelt für ein Eis. → Ich möchte unbedingt ein Eis.
In German, 'verzweifelt' is too strong for simple cravings. Use 'unbedingt' for strong desires.
Verzweiflung von... → Verzweiflung über...
In German, we use the preposition 'über' (+ Accusative) to describe the cause of the despair.
Ich verzweifle zu dieser Aufgabe. → Ich verzweifle an dieser Aufgabe.
The verb 'verzweifeln' requires the preposition 'an' followed by the dative case.
Seine Verzweiflung war traurig. → Seine Verzweiflung war tief/groß.
While despair is sad, it is more natural to describe its depth (tief) or magnitude (groß).

ヒント

Gender Hint

Nouns ending in '-ung' are almost always feminine. This makes 'Verzweiflung' easy to remember as 'die'.

Intensity Check

Before using 'Verzweiflung', ask yourself: Is this a life-changing crisis? If not, maybe use 'Frust' or 'Ärger'.

Stress the Root

Emphasize the 'Zweif' part. It helps listeners identify the word even in fast speech.

Preposition Power

Master 'aus Verzweiflung'. it's a very common and natural-sounding phrase in stories.

Word Family

Learn 'Zweifel' (doubt) alongside 'Verzweiflung'. It helps you see the logic in German word building.

Romanticism

If you read 18th-century German literature, you will see this word everywhere. It's key to the 'Sturm und Drang' movement.

News Keywords

In news about disasters, 'Verzweiflung' is a keyword. Use it to help identify the emotional tone of the report.

The 'V' sound

Remember that 'Ver-' sounds like 'Fair'. Despair isn't fair, and it starts with 'Ver-'.

Nuance

Use 'Ausweglosigkeit' if you want to emphasize that there is no exit from a situation.

Daily Context

Next time you are stuck in traffic, think: 'Das bringt mich zur Verzweiflung!' to practice the idiom.

暗記しよう

記憶術

Think of 'Ver-' as 'Forever' and 'Zweifel' as 'Doubt'. Verzweiflung is when you are 'Forever Doubting' that anything good will happen.

視覚的連想

Imagine someone standing at a crossroads where all paths are blocked by high walls. That feeling of being trapped without a way out is Verzweiflung.

Word Web

Hoffnungslosigkeit Zweifel Trauer Angst Ausweglosigkeit Schmerz Einsamkeit Krise

チャレンジ

Try to write a short paragraph about a difficult puzzle using 'Verzweiflung' and 'verzweifelt' correctly.

語源

The word comes from the Middle High German 'verzwīvelen', which is an intensification of 'zwīvelen' (to doubt). The prefix 'ver-' often indicates a completion or a negative outcome of a process. Thus, to despair is to 'doubt completely' or to 'doubt until hope is gone'.

元の意味： To lose all hope or confidence; to be in a state of absolute doubt.

Germanic

文化的な背景

Be sensitive when using this word in personal conversations, as it implies a very serious emotional state.

English speakers often use 'desperate' more casually than Germans use 'verzweifelt'. Be careful with the intensity.

Die Leiden des jungen Werthers by Goethe The concept of 'Krankheit zum Tode' by Søren Kierkegaard The expressionist paintings of Edvard Munch (though Norwegian, highly influential in Germany)

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

Personal Crisis

Ich bin verzweifelt.
Ich weiß nicht mehr weiter.
Alles scheint hoffnungslos.
Ich brauche Hilfe.

School/Work Frustration

Das bringt mich zur Verzweiflung.
Ich verzweifle an dieser Aufgabe.
Das ist nicht zu schaffen.
Ich gebe auf.

Literature/Storytelling

Ein Schrei der Verzweiflung.
Sie versank in tiefer Verzweiflung.
Aus Verzweiflung tat er es.
Die Verzweiflung war greifbar.

News/Politics

Die Verzweiflung wächst.
Humanitäre Verzweiflung.
Ein Akt der Verzweiflung.
Wirtschaftliche Verzweiflung.

Relationships

Er brachte sie zur Verzweiflung.
Verzweiflung über die Trennung.
In stummer Verzweiflung leben.
Vor Verzweiflung weinen.

会話のきっかけ

"Hast du dich jemals bei einer Aufgabe so gefühlt, als würdest du zur Verzweiflung gebracht?"

"Was ist für dich der Unterschied zwischen Traurigkeit und Verzweiflung?"

"Glaubst du, dass Verzweiflung jemals zu etwas Positivem führen kann?"

"Welche literarische Figur verkörpert für dich am besten die Verzweiflung?"

"Wie gehst du damit um, wenn du merkst, dass ein Freund in Verzweiflung ist?"

日記のテーマ

Beschreibe eine Situation, in der du fast zur Verzweiflung gebracht wurdest. Wie hast du eine Lösung gefunden?

Reflektiere über die Rolle von Verzweiflung in einem Film oder Buch, das du vor kurzem gesehen oder gelesen hast.

Schreibe einen Brief an jemanden, der gerade in Verzweiflung ist, um ihm Mut zu machen.

Warum ist das Wort 'Verzweiflung' im Deutschen so stark mit dem Wort 'Zweifel' verbunden?

Ist Verzweiflung ein notwendiger Teil des menschlichen Lebens? Begründe deine Meinung.

よくある質問

10 問

Yes, it almost always describes a negative, painful emotional state. However, in literature, it can be a catalyst for change or a deep realization.

Only if you are being dramatic or using the phrase 'zur Verzweiflung bringen'. Otherwise, it sounds too intense for minor issues.

'Aus Verzweiflung' usually describes the motivation for an action (He did it out of despair). 'Vor Verzweiflung' usually describes the cause of a state or reaction (He cried from despair).

It is used to describe critical situations, like a company being close to bankruptcy, but it is not a standard business term.

It is a sharp 'ts' sound, like the 'ts' in 'cats'. Do not pronounce it like an English 'z'.

The plural 'Verzweiflungen' exists but is extremely rare. Despair is usually treated as an uncountable concept.

No, you must say 'Ich bin verzweifelt' (adjective) or 'Ich fühle Verzweiflung' (noun).

It means to annoy or frustrate someone very much, similar to 'driving someone up the wall'.

Yes, it follows the regular conjugation pattern (verzweifelte, hat verzweifelt).

The most direct opposite is 'Hoffnung' (hope) or 'Zuversicht' (confidence).

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