elend
miserable
In a very poor physical or emotional state; filled with intense discomfort or suffering.
EXAMPLE
Nach der langen Krankheit fühlte sie sich elend.
After her long illness, she felt miserable.
elend
miserable
elend – elender – am elendesten
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Meanings
elend
wretched
Very bad, pitiful, or deplorable; often used as a strongly negative evaluation of a situation or thing.
EXAMPLE
Die elenden Arbeitsbedingungen führten zu vielen Beschwerden.
The wretched working conditions led to many complaints.
elend
terribly
(informal, intensifying) Very, extremely.
EXAMPLE
Wir mussten elend lange auf den Bus warten.
We had to wait an awfully long time for the bus.
elend
miserable / despicable
Derogatory: contemptible and mean; often used when insulting people.
EXAMPLE
Dieser elende Lügner hat uns alle betrogen!
That miserable liar has cheated us all!
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry elend, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | elend |
|---|---|
| comparative | elender |
| superlative | am elendesten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to elend.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to elend.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to elend.
Usage tips
Context clue
When describing people, „elend“ (miserable) often refers to a physical or emotional state. When describing things, situations, or conditions, it is usually a strongly negative evaluation; the context shows which meaning is intended.
EXAMPLE
Mir ist ganz elend, ich glaube, ich bekomme Fieber.
I feel absolutely miserable; I think I’m coming down with a fever.
Die elenden Zustände im Flüchtlingslager lösten große Empörung aus.
The wretched conditions in the refugee camp caused widespread outrage.
Strong evaluation
„Elend“ (miserable) is strongly negative and emotionally charged. The word can express sympathy, outrage, or annoyance, which is why it often has a particularly forceful effect.
EXAMPLE
Dieses elende Wetter verdirbt uns den ganzen Urlaub!
This miserable weather is ruining our entire vacation!
Typical collocations
Common expressions describing a person’s state include „sich elend fühlen“ (to feel miserable), „elend aussehen“ (to look miserable), and „elend zumute sein“ (to feel miserable). In these expressions, „elend“ describes the affected person or their mood.
EXAMPLE
Nach der schlaflosen Nacht sah er elend aus.
After the sleepless night, he looked miserable.
Negative evaluation
In this meaning, „elend“ (wretched) often comes before words for living conditions or social circumstances. Typical collocations include „elende Arbeitsbedingungen“ (wretched working conditions), „elende Zustände“ (wretched conditions), and „ein elendes Leben“ (a wretched life).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Krieg führte die Familie ein elendes Leben in einer Notunterkunft.
After the war, the family led a wretched life in emergency housing.
In real life
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