hardship
die Widrigkeit, die Widrigkeiten
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hardship
An unfavorable circumstance or difficulty that hinders or burdens someone. The word is usually used in the plural.
Trotz aller Widrigkeiten gelang es ihr, das Projekt erfolgreich abzuschließen.
Despite all the hardships, she managed to complete the project successfully.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Widrigkeiten |
| genitive | der Widrigkeit |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Widrigkeit | die Widrigkeiten |
| accusative | die Widrigkeit | die Widrigkeiten |
| dative | der Widrigkeit | den Widrigkeiten |
| genitive | der Widrigkeit | der Widrigkeiten |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Widrigkeit' is made up of the adjective 'widrig' (adverse) and the ending '-keit'. This ending forms an abstract noun and here refers to a difficult or burdensome circumstance.
Auch kleine Widrigkeiten können den Tagesplan verändern.
Even minor hardships can change the day's schedule.
'Widrigkeit' often follows 'trotz' (despite); this combination is normally followed by the genitive. The fixed expression 'trotz aller Widrigkeiten' (despite all the hardships) is particularly common.
Trotz aller Widrigkeiten setzte das Team seine Arbeit fort.
Despite all the hardships, the team continued its work.
Common collocations include 'mit Widrigkeiten kämpfen' (to struggle with hardships), 'Widrigkeiten überwinden' (to overcome hardships), and 'Widrigkeiten bewältigen' (to cope with hardships). The word usually describes several difficulties encountered during a longer undertaking.
Die Bergsteiger mussten auf dem Weg zum Gipfel viele Widrigkeiten überwinden.
The mountaineers had to overcome many hardships on their way to the summit.
'Widrigkeit' belongs more to elevated or written language and is particularly common in reports, narratives, and official texts.
Der Bericht schildert die Widrigkeiten des Wiederaufbaus nach dem Sturm.
The report describes the hardships of rebuilding after the storm.
