15초 만에
- Used when someone feels like giving up on a challenge.
- Commonly used in the negative to encourage others: 'Don't lose heart!'
- Works in both personal and professional contexts for serious setbacks.
뜻
This phrase describes that feeling when you're about to give up because things are getting too hard. It’s like your inner battery for bravery just ran out of juice.
주요 예문
3 / 6Encouraging a friend after a failed job interview
Kopf hoch, verlier jetzt nicht den Mut!
Chin up, don't lose courage now!
Discussing a difficult project at the office
Trotz der Probleme hat das Team nie den Mut verloren.
Despite the problems, the team never lost courage.
Texting a partner about a long day
Ich verliere langsam den Mut mit dieser Wohnungssuche.
I'm slowly losing heart with this apartment search.
문화적 배경
The concept of 'Mut' is often linked to 'Zivilcourage' (civil courage)—the bravery to stand up for one's beliefs in public. Losing 'Mut' is seen as a loss of this vital social energy. In Austria, you might hear the word 'mütig' (courageous) less often than 'beherzt' (stout-hearted), but 'den Mut verlieren' remains the standard idiom for discouragement. Swiss German speakers use the phrase in high German contexts, but in dialect, they might say 'de Muet verlüre'. The cultural value of 'Beständigkeit' (consistency) makes this a significant phrase. After 1945, 'den Mut nicht verlieren' was a common mantra for people rebuilding their lives from ruins. It is a phrase of survival.
The 'Den' Rule
Always remember the 'n' on 'den'. Since you are losing 'the' courage, it's always accusative masculine.
Don't be too dramatic
Using this for small things like a broken pencil makes you sound like a drama queen/king!
15초 만에
- Used when someone feels like giving up on a challenge.
- Commonly used in the negative to encourage others: 'Don't lose heart!'
- Works in both personal and professional contexts for serious setbacks.
What It Means
Den Mut verlieren is all about that moment your confidence slips away. Imagine you are hiking a steep mountain. Your legs hurt and the peak looks miles away. That sinking feeling in your chest? That is losing your courage. It is a very human expression. It describes losing hope or the will to keep going. It is not just about being scared. It is about feeling defeated by a situation.
How To Use It
You use it just like the English version. The verb verlieren (to lose) changes based on who is losing courage. If it is you, say Ich verliere den Mut. If you are cheering up a friend, say Verlier nicht den Mut! It is a strong collocation. This means these words love to hang out together. You will rarely hear Germans say they 'lost their bravery' in this context. They always 'lose the courage'.
When To Use It
Use it when life gets heavy. It is perfect for a friend struggling with a tough exam. You can use it at work if a project is failing. It is great for deep conversations over a beer. It shows empathy. It says, 'I see that you are struggling.' It is also common in storytelling or news. If a sports team is losing 5-0, the commentator might say they have lost their courage.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for small, silly things. If you cannot find your car keys, you are not 'losing courage'. You are just annoyed. It is also not for physical fear. If a spider jumps on you, you are 'erschrocken' (startled). You have not lost your life's courage over a bug. Keep it for situations that involve persistence and long-term effort. Using it for a broken pencil makes you sound like a drama queen.
Cultural Background
Germans value 'Standhaftigkeit' (steadfastness). There is a cultural respect for people who keep going despite the odds. Because of this, den Mut verlieren is a significant statement. It is often paired with the opposite: Mut fassen (to take heart). German history and literature are full of characters struggling against fate. This phrase captures that 'Sturm und Drang' (storm and stress) energy perfectly. It is about the internal battle of the soul.
Common Variations
You will often hear den Kopf hängen lassen (to let the head hang). This is the visual version of losing courage. Another one is den Mut sinken lassen. This sounds a bit more poetic. If you want to be very dramatic, you can say allen Mut verlieren. That means every last drop of courage is gone. But for everyday life, the standard den Mut verlieren is your best friend.
사용 참고사항
The phrase is neutral and safe for all audiences. Just remember to conjugate 'verlieren' correctly and keep 'den Mut' in the accusative case.
The 'Den' Rule
Always remember the 'n' on 'den'. Since you are losing 'the' courage, it's always accusative masculine.
Don't be too dramatic
Using this for small things like a broken pencil makes you sound like a drama queen/king!
Pair it with 'trotzdem'
A very natural German sentence structure is: 'Es war schwer, aber ich habe trotzdem nicht {den|m} Mut verloren.'
예시
6Kopf hoch, verlier jetzt nicht den Mut!
Chin up, don't lose courage now!
A very common way to cheer someone up.
Trotz der Probleme hat das Team nie den Mut verloren.
Despite the problems, the team never lost courage.
Professional use showing resilience.
Ich verliere langsam den Mut mit dieser Wohnungssuche.
I'm slowly losing heart with this apartment search.
Relatable frustration in a tough market.
Wir liegen zurück, aber wir dürfen den Mut nicht verlieren!
We are behind, but we must not lose our courage!
Classic motivational speech context.
Nach dem zehnten Tod habe ich den Mut verloren und die Konsole ausgemacht.
After the tenth death, I lost my courage and turned off the console.
Using a serious phrase for a trivial frustration.
In Zeiten der Krise darf man niemals den Mut verlieren.
In times of crisis, one must never lose courage.
High-level, formal rhetoric.
셀프 테스트
Fill in the correct form of the article and the noun.
Wenn alles schiefgeht, darf man nicht ______ ______ verlieren.
'Mut' is masculine and the direct object of 'verlieren', so it must be in the accusative case: 'den Mut'.
Which sentence is a natural way to encourage a friend?
Dein Freund hat eine schwere Prüfung. Was sagst du?
'Verlier nicht den Mut!' is the standard way to say 'Don't lose heart!'.
Complete the dialogue with the correct verb form.
A: 'Ich schaffe das nicht.' B: 'Doch! Du hast ______ ______ noch nie ______.'
This uses the Perfect tense: 'haben' + 'verloren'.
Match the situation to the phrase.
In welcher Situation verliert man den Mut?
Losing heart happens after repeated failures or setbacks.
🎉 점수: /4
시각 학습 자료
연습 문제 은행
4 연습 문제Wenn alles schiefgeht, darf man nicht ______ ______ verlieren.
'Mut' is masculine and the direct object of 'verlieren', so it must be in the accusative case: 'den Mut'.
Dein Freund hat eine schwere Prüfung. Was sagst du?
'Verlier nicht den Mut!' is the standard way to say 'Don't lose heart!'.
A: 'Ich schaffe das nicht.' B: 'Doch! Du hast ______ ______ noch nie ______.'
This uses the Perfect tense: 'haben' + 'verloren'.
In welcher Situation verliert man den Mut?
Losing heart happens after repeated failures or setbacks.
🎉 점수: /4
자주 묻는 질문
5 질문It is grammatically possible but sounds very poetic or old-fashioned. In 99% of modern conversations, use 'den Mut'.
'Aufgeben' (to give up) is the action. 'Den Mut verlieren' is the feeling that leads to that action. You can lose heart but still keep going!
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your grandma.
The most direct opposite is 'Mut fassen' (to gather courage).
Yes! 'Verlier nicht {den|m} Mut!' is a very common way to encourage someone.
관련 표현
Mut fassen
contrastTo take heart / gather courage.
den Kopf hängen lassen
similarTo be downcast / mope.
jemandem Mut zusprechen
builds onTo encourage someone.
entmutigt sein
synonymTo be discouraged.
