In 15 Seconds
- To carry a long-term suspicion inside you.
- More sophisticated than just saying 'I don't trust'.
- Implies the feeling is cultivated and persistent.
Meaning
It describes the act of carrying a deep-seated feeling of suspicion or doubt about someone or something. It isn't a sudden outburst; it's a quiet, internal feeling that you've been holding onto for a while.
Key Examples
3 of 6In a business meeting
Ich hege ein gewisses Misstrauen gegenüber ihren Verkaufszahlen.
I harbor a certain mistrust toward their sales figures.
Discussing a new neighbor
Die Nachbarn hegen Misstrauen gegen den neuen Vermieter.
The neighbors harbor mistrust against the new landlord.
A serious conversation between partners
Warum hegst du plötzlich solches Misstrauen gegen mich?
Why are you suddenly harboring such mistrust against me?
Cultural Background
Mistrust is often seen as a form of 'Vorsicht' (caution). In business, it is common to 'hegen Misstrauen' until all technical details are verified. In Austria, mistrust is often hidden behind 'Höflichkeit' (politeness). One might 'hegen Misstrauen' while remaining perfectly charming on the surface. Swiss neutrality and banking culture involve a high level of discretion, which can sometimes be interpreted as 'gehegtes Misstrauen' toward outsiders. Compared to the US 'optimism by default', the German 'Misstrauen hegen' can seem pessimistic, but it is intended as a protective measure.
Use with Adjectives
Always pair 'hegen' with an adjective like 'tiefes', 'gewisses', or 'begründetes' to sound like a native speaker.
Don't over-use
It's a strong phrase. If you use it for small things (like a missing pen), you will sound overly dramatic.
In 15 Seconds
- To carry a long-term suspicion inside you.
- More sophisticated than just saying 'I don't trust'.
- Implies the feeling is cultivated and persistent.
What It Means
Imagine you are growing a small plant in your mind. Instead of a flower, it is a feeling that someone is lying. That is Misstrauen hegen. The word hegen usually refers to tending a garden or a forest. When you apply it to Misstrauen (mistrust), it means you are keeping that suspicion alive. It is not a loud accusation. It is a quiet, persistent doubt that sits in your gut.
How To Use It
You will usually use this with the preposition gegenüber (towards) or gegen (against). For example, you might say you hegen Misstrauen gegenüber a politician. It sounds more sophisticated than just saying you don't trust someone. It implies that your doubt has a history. You have been watching, waiting, and nurturing this feeling. It is a very internal process.
When To Use It
This phrase is perfect for serious discussions. Use it in a business meeting when a deal feels too good. Use it when discussing politics or news. It works well in literature or when writing a formal letter. If a friend asks why you are being cold, you might explain your feelings this way. It shows that your lack of trust is not a whim.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for trivial things. If your friend says they ate the last cookie, don't say you hegen Misstrauen. That is too dramatic! It sounds like you are in a 19th-century novel. Avoid it in very casual slang-heavy conversations. It can make you sound a bit stiff or overly serious if the situation is lighthearted.
Cultural Background
Germans often value directness, but they also value 'Hintergrundwissen' (background knowledge). The word hegen comes from the world of forestry and hunting. A Hege is a protected area for animals. By using this word, you are saying your mistrust is 'protected' and 'maintained.' It reflects a certain German caution. We don't just trust; we observe and evaluate carefully.
Common Variations
You can also Zweifel hegen (harbor doubts) or Groll hegen (bear a grudge). These all follow the same pattern of 'nurturing' a negative emotion. If you want to be more modern, you might just say jemandem misstrauen. However, using hegen adds a layer of intellectual depth. It makes your suspicion feel more valid and thought-out.
Usage Notes
This is a high-register collocation. It is perfectly suited for B2/C1 levels where you need to express nuances of emotion in a more sophisticated, less 'textbook' way.
Use with Adjectives
Always pair 'hegen' with an adjective like 'tiefes', 'gewisses', or 'begründetes' to sound like a native speaker.
Don't over-use
It's a strong phrase. If you use it for small things (like a missing pen), you will sound overly dramatic.
The 'Braten' alternative
In casual settings, use 'Ich traue dem Braten nicht' (I don't trust the roast) instead of 'hegen'.
Examples
6Ich hege ein gewisses Misstrauen gegenüber ihren Verkaufszahlen.
I harbor a certain mistrust toward their sales figures.
This sounds professional yet firm about your doubts.
Die Nachbarn hegen Misstrauen gegen den neuen Vermieter.
The neighbors harbor mistrust against the new landlord.
Shows a collective feeling of suspicion within a group.
Warum hegst du plötzlich solches Misstrauen gegen mich?
Why are you suddenly harboring such mistrust against me?
Used to address a growing emotional distance.
Mein Hund hegt Misstrauen gegenüber dem neuen Staubsauger.
My dog harbors mistrust toward the new vacuum cleaner.
Using a formal phrase for a pet creates a funny contrast.
Ich hege Misstrauen bei diesem Link, klick lieber nicht drauf!
I'm suspicious of this link, better not click it!
A bit dramatic for a text, but very clear.
Die Bürger hegen Misstrauen gegenüber den Versprechungen der Regierung.
The citizens harbor mistrust toward the government's promises.
Classic usage in news or political analysis.
Test Yourself
Setzen Sie das richtige Verb in der richtigen Form ein.
Seit dem Skandal _______ die Bürger ein tiefes Misstrauen gegen die Bank.
In formal contexts, 'hegen' is the correct collocation for 'Misstrauen'.
Welche Präposition ist korrekt?
Er hegt Misstrauen _______ seinem neuen Kollegen.
'Gegenüber' or 'gegen' are used with 'Misstrauen hegen'.
Verbinden Sie das Substantiv mit dem passenden Verb.
Nomen-Verb-Paare
These are standard German collocations.
Vervollständigen Sie den Satz im Dialog.
A: Warum bist du so vorsichtig? B: Ich ____ einfach ein gewisses Misstrauen, weil er schon einmal gelogen hat.
The context of a long-term feeling requires 'hege'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Suspicion Levels
Practice Bank
4 exercisesSeit dem Skandal _______ die Bürger ein tiefes Misstrauen gegen die Bank.
In formal contexts, 'hegen' is the correct collocation for 'Misstrauen'.
Er hegt Misstrauen _______ seinem neuen Kollegen.
'Gegenüber' or 'gegen' are used with 'Misstrauen hegen'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are standard German collocations.
A: Warum bist du so vorsichtig? B: Ich ____ einfach ein gewisses Misstrauen, weil er schon einmal gelogen hat.
The context of a long-term feeling requires 'hege'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsYes, it describes a negative feeling, but the act of 'hegen' can be seen as a positive, cautious trait in professional contexts.
No, use 'gegen' or 'gegenüber'. 'Zu' is grammatically incorrect in this collocation.
'Hegen' is for internal feelings or nature; 'pflegen' is for taking care of people, objects, or relationships (e.g., 'Kontakte pflegen').
Rarely. You might see 'Das gehegte Misstrauen', but 'Misstrauen wird gehegt' is very unusual.
Yes, 'Liebe hegen' or 'Gefühle hegen' is possible and very poetic.
'Argwohn' is a stronger, more suspicious form of mistrust, often implying you expect a specific bad action.
Use 'Ich schöpfe Verdacht' or 'Ich werde misstrauisch'.
In written High German in Switzerland, yes. In spoken dialect, they would use different terms.
Only if you are being serious or slightly ironic/dramatic with a close friend.
'Vertrauen fassen' (to start trusting) or 'Vertrauen genießen' (to enjoy trust).
No, but you can 'Groll hegen' (harbor a grudge), which is close to hate.
It takes an Accusative object ('hege {das|n} Misstrauen').
Usually, 'Zweifel hegen' is better for facts, while 'Misstrauen hegen' is for people or institutions.
Because it requires knowledge of abstract collocations and formal register nuances.
Related Phrases
Argwohn hegen
synonymTo harbor deep suspicion
Hoffnung hegen
similarTo harbor hope
Groll hegen
similarTo bear a grudge
Verdacht schöpfen
builds onTo become suspicious
Vertrauen schenken
contrastTo give trust
