Umstand

Umstand

German

Etymology

From Middle High German umbestand (literally “a standing around; an umb-stand”), a Germanic calque of Latin circumstans (whence English circumstance), which is circum (“about”) + stans (“standing”). By surface analysis, um- +‎ Stand.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈʊmʃtant/
  • Audio (Germany (Berlin)):(file)

Noun

Umstand m (strong, genitive Umstandes or Umstands, plural Umstände)

  1. circumstance (an event; a fact; a particular incident)
    unter keinen Umständen ― under no circumstances
  2. (plural only) fuss, trouble, bother (unnecessary activity)
    Bitte, machen Sie sich keine Umstände. ― Please, don't go to any trouble.

Declension

Declension of Umstand [masculine, strong]
singular plural
indef. def. noun def. noun
nominative ein der Umstand die Umstände
genitive eines des Umstandes, Umstands der Umstände
dative einem dem Umstand, Umstande1 den Umständen
accusative einen den Umstand die Umstände

1Now rare, see notes.

Derived terms

Further reading

  • “Umstand” in Duden online
  • “Umstand”, in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache‎[1] (in German)
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