der Mumm
guts
A colloquial expression for courage, determination, or nerve to do something difficult, unpleasant, or risky.
EXAMPLE
Sie hatte nicht den Mumm, ihm die Wahrheit zu sagen.
She didn’t have the guts to tell him the truth.
der Mumm
guts / courage
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Meanings
Usage tips
Colloquial style
'Mumm' (guts / courage) is a colloquial word for courage. It is used mainly in spoken language and in informal contexts.
EXAMPLE
Wow, du hast echt Mumm, das zu tun!
Wow, you really have guts to do that!
Typical use
'Mumm' (guts / courage) is very often used in the construction 'den Mumm haben, etwas zu tun' (to have the guts to do something). It is followed by an infinitive clause with 'zu'.
EXAMPLE
Er hatte nicht den Mumm, seinen Chef nach einer Gehaltserhöhung zu fragen.
He didn’t have the guts to ask his boss for a raise.
Fixed expression
A fixed expression is 'Mumm in den Knochen haben' (to have guts in one’s bones). It means that someone is brave, energetic, and not easily intimidated.
EXAMPLE
Die alte Dame hatte noch richtig Mumm in den Knochen und sagte allen ihre Meinung.
The old lady still had real guts and told everyone what she thought.
Compare with
Mumm vs Mut
courage
Mut and Mumm can both express someone’s willingness to undertake a difficult or frightening action. Mumm is distinctly more colloquial and is especially used in casual expressions such as “den Mumm haben” (“to have the guts”). In neutral situations, Mut is the more appropriate choice.
Mumm
Er hatte den Mumm, den Fehler vor allen Kollegen zuzugeben.
He had the guts to admit the mistake in front of all his colleagues.
Mut
Sie hatte den Mut, ihre Meinung vor dem ganzen Team zu sagen.
She had the courage to state her opinion in front of the entire team.
In real life
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