das Böse
evil
Anything that is morally bad or reprehensible, especially actions, thoughts, or traits that harm others.
EXAMPLE
Sie versucht, das Böse in der Welt zu bekämpfen.
She tries to fight evil in the world.
das Böse
evil
die Böse, die Bösen
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Meanings
das Böse
evil
A destructive force conceived of as an independent power or as a force opposed to good, especially in religious or philosophical beliefs.
EXAMPLE
In vielen Religionen gilt das Böse als Gegenkraft zum Guten.
In many religions, evil is regarded as a force opposed to good.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Böse, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Bösen |
| genitive | der Bösen |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Böse | die Bösen |
| accusative | die Böse | die Bösen |
| dative | der Bösen | den Bösen |
| genitive | der Bösen | der Bösen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Nominalized adjective
'Das Böse' (evil) is a nominalized adjective: the adjective 'böse' (evil) is used as a noun to refer to something abstract. This is why 'Böse' (evil) is capitalized; the word can take different case forms in a sentence.
EXAMPLE
Viele Menschen fragen sich, woher das Böse kommt.
Many people wonder where evil comes from.
Sie will dem Bösen keinen Raum geben.
She does not want to give evil any room.
Typical collocations
When referring to something morally bad, 'das Böse' (evil) is often used with verbs such as 'bekämpfen' (to fight), 'verurteilen' (to condemn), and 'überwinden' (to overcome). The phrase 'dem Bösen widerstehen' (to resist evil) is also common.
EXAMPLE
Nicht jeder Mensch kann dem Bösen widerstehen.
Not everyone can resist evil.
Religious context
The idea of an independent destructive power is found especially in religious, philosophical, and literary texts. Clue words such as 'Macht' (power), 'Kraft' (force), 'Gegenkraft' (opposing force), or 'Verkörperung' (embodiment) often indicate this abstract or supernatural context.
EXAMPLE
Im Roman erscheint das Böse als unsichtbare Macht, die ganze Städte bedroht.
In the novel, evil appears as an invisible power that threatens entire cities.
In real life
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