How do you say Hope in German?

In the middle of trouble, uncertainty, or darkness, what keeps people going? In German, it’s Hoffnung. It’s a word for what we hold onto when we’re waiting for things to get better.

The noun Hoffnung means hope, and it covers everything from quiet optimism to desperate longing. It’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, and it’s found everywhere: in daily conversation, political speeches, philosophy, and religion.

It’s a feminine noun, so we say die Hoffnung.

Pronunciation

Hoffnung is pronounced [ˈhɔfnʊŋ], with short o and short u.

• The “hoff” rhymes with “off,” said with a strong burst of breath.

• The ending “nung” has a short u as in "put" and ng as in "sing," with no separate g sound.

It’s a round, warm-sounding word - perfect for something as tender and resilient as hope.

Example sentences:

• Die Hoffnung stirbt zuletzt.Hope dies last. (A common German proverb)

• Ich habe die Hoffnung noch nicht aufgegeben.I haven’t given up hope yet.

Nuance and usage tips

Hoffnung can describe a feeling, a goal, or even a person who represents hope. You’ll often see it in phrases like:

• große Hoffnung - high hopes

• verlorene Hoffnung - lost hope

• ein Funken Hoffnung - a spark of hope

• neue Hoffnung schöpfen - to regain hope
  sich Hoffnungen machen - to get one’s hopes up

It also appears in emotional or poetic contexts, but is just as likely to be used in medical reports, climate discussions, or football interviews.