die Würde
dignity
The inner worth and claim to respect that every human being has by nature.
EXAMPLE
Die Würde des Menschen ist unantastbar.
Human dignity is inviolable.
die Würde
dignity
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Meanings
die Würde
dignity
A calm, serious, and composed manner that evokes respect and esteem.
EXAMPLE
Sie ertrug die Niederlage mit großer Würde.
She endured the defeat with great dignity.
die Würde
office / rank
A high office, title, or honorable position in society. Often used in the plural.
EXAMPLE
Er wurde in die Würden eines Professors erhoben.
He was raised to the rank of professor.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'die Würde' (dignity) is the basis for the adjective 'würdig' (worthy, deserving of something) and the verb 'würdigen' (to honor or recognize someone). All words in the family relate to worth and respect.
EXAMPLE
Sein Verhalten war eines Königs nicht würdig.
His behavior was not worthy of a king.
Cultural context
The sentence 'Die Würde des Menschen ist unantastbar' (Human dignity is inviolable) is the first article of the German Basic Law. It is a central value in German society and is often quoted.
EXAMPLE
In der Debatte wurde oft auf die Würde des Menschen verwiesen.
In the debate, human dignity was often referred to.
Typical collocations
In connection with a person's inner worth, 'Würde' (dignity) is often used with verbs such as 'wahren' (to preserve), 'achten' (to respect), or 'verletzen' (to violate).
EXAMPLE
Es ist wichtig, auch in schwierigen Situationen die Würde des anderen zu achten.
It is important to respect the other person's dignity even in difficult situations.
Typical collocations
When it is about a manner or bearing, 'Würde' (dignity) is often combined with verbs of enduring or showing. Typical expressions are 'seine Würde bewahren' (to preserve one's dignity) or something 'mit Würde tragen' (to bear something with dignity).
EXAMPLE
Trotz der falschen Anschuldigungen bewahrte er seine Würde.
Despite the false accusations, he preserved his dignity.
Use in the plural
In the meaning of a high office or title, 'Würde' (office / rank) is often used in the plural ('Würden'). It is a formal and rather rare usage.
EXAMPLE
Er bekleidete im Laufe seines Lebens viele öffentliche Würden.
Over the course of his life, he held many public offices.
Compare with
Würde vs Ehre
honor
Die Ehre concerns the standing and respect a person receives in society. Die Würde, by contrast, refers to the inner worth that every human being possesses. For questions of good reputation, Ehre is the better choice; for the fundamental right to be treated with respect, Würde is more appropriate.
Würde
Auch während der Befragung muss seine Würde geachtet werden.
His dignity must be respected even during the questioning.
Ehre
Die falsche Anschuldigung hat seine Ehre schwer beschädigt.
The false accusation seriously damaged his honor.
In real life
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