die Trübsal
sorrow
Deep sadness, dejection, or emotional suffering.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Verlust lag eine schwere Trübsal über der Familie.
After the loss, a heavy sorrow hung over the family.
die Trübsal
sorrow
die Trübsal, die Trübsale
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Meanings
Trübsal blasen
to mope
To give oneself over to sadness and show one's low spirits or spread gloom.
EXAMPLE
Du solltest nicht ständig Trübsal blasen, sondern nach einer Lösung suchen.
You should stop moping all the time and look for a solution.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Trübsal, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Trübsale |
| genitive | der Trübsal |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Trübsal | die Trübsale |
| accusative | die Trübsal | die Trübsale |
| dative | der Trübsal | den Trübsalen |
| genitive | der Trübsal | der Trübsale |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
Typical phrases include 'in Trübsal versinken' (to sink into sorrow) and 'voller Trübsal' (full of sorrow). The verb 'versinken' (to sink) presents sadness as something that completely surrounds a person.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Abschied versank er in tiefer Trübsal.
After the farewell, he sank into deep sorrow.
Elevated style
Outside the fixed expression 'Trübsal blasen' (to mope), 'Trübsal' (sorrow) usually sounds elevated or old-fashioned. You will encounter the word especially in literary and religious texts.
EXAMPLE
In ihrer Trübsal suchte sie Trost im Gebet.
In her sorrow, she sought comfort in prayer.
Fixed expression
In 'Trübsal blasen' (to mope), 'Trübsal' (sorrow) is used without an article. The expression is often used in requests or commands with 'kein' or 'nicht' (no / not) and can sound mildly reproachful.
EXAMPLE
Komm mit ins Kino, statt zu Hause Trübsal zu blasen!
Come to the movies with us instead of moping at home!
In real life
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