die Memme
wimp
A derogatory term for a person who is fearful, lacks courage, or is particularly sensitive.
EXAMPLE
Sei keine Memme und probiere die Achterbahn einfach aus!
Don't be a wimp—just give the roller coaster a try!
die Memme
wimp
die Memme, die Memmen
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Memme, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Memmen |
| genitive | der Memme |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Memme | die Memmen |
| accusative | die Memme | die Memmen |
| dative | der Memme | den Memmen |
| genitive | der Memme | der Memmen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Register and effect
'Memme' (wimp) is informal and derogatory. Among people who know each other well, the word can also be used jokingly or teasingly, but it can easily come across as insulting when used with strangers.
EXAMPLE
Er nannte seinen Bruder eine Memme, meinte es aber nur scherzhaft.
He called his brother a wimp, but he was only joking.
Common expression
'Memme' (wimp) is very often used in the command 'Sei keine Memme!' (Don't be a wimp!). This urges someone to face an unpleasant or frightening situation.
EXAMPLE
Sei keine Memme und geh einfach ins kalte Wasser!
Don't be a wimp—just get into the cold water!
With 'sein'
'Memme' (wimp) is often used with 'sein' (to be) or 'sich als Memme zeigen' (to show oneself to be a wimp). After 'sein', the noun referring to the person is in the nominative case.
EXAMPLE
Er ist doch keine Memme und meldet sich freiwillig für die Aufgabe.
He's no wimp, after all, and volunteers for the task.
In real life
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