arrogance
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arrogance
An exaggerated view of oneself that is expressed in arrogant or condescending behavior toward others. 'Hochmut' (arrogance) is seen as a negative character trait and describes the feeling of being better than others.
Sein Hochmut hinderte ihn daran, um Hilfe zu bitten.
His arrogance prevented him from asking for help.
pride comes before a fall
A proverbial expression that says excessive pride or arrogance often leads to failure, defeat, or misfortune.
Der Sportler war sich seines Sieges zu sicher und verlor am Ende – Hochmut kommt eben vor dem Fall.
The athlete was too sure of his victory and ended up losing—pride comes before a fall, after all.
The word is made up of 'hoch' (high) and 'Mut' (courage/spirit). Here, however, 'Mut' does not mean 'Tapferkeit' (bravery), but rather 'Gesinnung' (mindset) or 'Geist' (spirit). So 'Hochmut' (arrogance) literally describes a 'high mindset' in the negative sense of arrogance or conceit.
Sein Hochmut war für alle im Raum spürbar.
His arrogance was noticeable to everyone in the room.
The noun 'der Hochmut' (arrogance) is closely related to the adjective 'hochmütig' (arrogant). If a person has 'Hochmut' (arrogance), then they are 'hochmütig' (arrogant).
Er gab eine sehr hochmütige Antwort auf die einfache Frage.
He gave a very arrogant answer to the simple question.
'Hochmut' (arrogance) is a rather elevated and formal word. You find it more often in literature or sophisticated texts than in everyday colloquial speech.
In der Tragödie wird der Hochmut des Helden bestraft.
In the tragedy, the hero's arrogance is punished.
The expression 'Hochmut kommt vor dem Fall' (pride comes before a fall) is often used as a complete sentence to comment on a situation. It is used to warn that overconfidence often leads to failure.
Er prahlte mit seinem sicheren Sieg und verlor dann. Tja, Hochmut kommt vor dem Fall.
He bragged about his certain victory and then lost. Well, pride comes before a fall.
proud
Stolz and Hochmut (arrogance) can both be associated with a strong awareness of one's own importance. Stolz can be justified and positive, for example after an achievement, but it can also come across as conceited. Hochmut, on the other hand, is always an exaggeratedly high opinion of oneself that manifests itself in condescending behavior toward others.
Sein Hochmut zeigt sich darin, dass er die Beiträge der anderen abwertet.
His arrogance is evident in the way he disparages the others' contributions.
Sie ist stolz auf ihren Erfolg, behandelt die anderen aber weiterhin respektvoll.
She is proud of her success but continues to treat the others respectfully.
