die Bitterkeit
bitterness
The bitter taste or the quality of a substance that tastes bitter.
EXAMPLE
Die Bitterkeit des Kaffees wird durch etwas Milch gemildert.
The bitterness of the coffee is softened by adding a little milk.
die Bitterkeit
bitterness
die Bitterkeit, die Bitterkeiten
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Meanings
die Bitterkeit
bitterness
A strong feeling of disappointment, resentment, or inner pain.
EXAMPLE
In ihrer Stimme lag deutlich die Bitterkeit über die verlorene Freundschaft.
There was a clear sense of bitterness about the lost friendship in her voice.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Bitterkeit, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Bitterkeiten |
| genitive | der Bitterkeit |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Bitterkeit | die Bitterkeiten |
| accusative | die Bitterkeit | die Bitterkeiten |
| dative | der Bitterkeit | den Bitterkeiten |
| genitive | der Bitterkeit | der Bitterkeiten |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
“Bitterkeit” (bitterness) is formed from the adjective “bitter” (bitter) and the suffix “-keit” (-ness). The suffix turns a quality into a noun and here refers to the quality or state of being bitter.
EXAMPLE
Die Bitterkeit der Grapefruit ist nicht jedermanns Geschmack.
The bitterness of grapefruit is not to everyone’s taste.
Typical collocations
In the context of taste, “Bitterkeit” (bitterness) is often used with drinks or food. Typical collocations include “die Bitterkeit mildern” (to soften the bitterness), “die Bitterkeit wahrnehmen” (to perceive the bitterness), and “eine starke Bitterkeit haben” (to have a strong bitterness).
EXAMPLE
Zucker kann die Bitterkeit des Tees etwas mildern.
Sugar can soften the bitterness of the tea somewhat.
Context clue
The emotional meaning is often recognized through words related to feelings and relationships, such as “Enttäuschung” (disappointment), “Verlust” (loss), or “Stimme” (voice). When talking about coffee, tea, or other foods, however, the meaning is taste.
EXAMPLE
Die Bitterkeit in seinen Worten zeigte, wie sehr ihn die Enttäuschung verletzt hatte.
The bitterness in his words showed how deeply the disappointment had hurt him.
Die Bitterkeit des dunklen Bieres war deutlich zu schmecken.
The bitterness of the dark beer was clearly noticeable.
Expressing feelings
In its emotional meaning, “Bitterkeit” (bitterness) is often used with verbs and expressions that show a lasting inner reaction. Common expressions include “Bitterkeit empfinden” (to feel bitterness), “Bitterkeit zeigen” (to show bitterness), and “mit Bitterkeit zurückblicken” (to look back with bitterness).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Streit blickte sie mit Bitterkeit auf die vergangenen Jahre zurück.
After the argument, she looked back on the past years with bitterness.
In real life
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