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Betrübtheit

sadness, sorrowfulness

noun be-TRUEPT-hite Rare
Mind & Emotions Emotions

Usage Note

Betrübtheit is the noun of betrübt (saddened, downcast). A somewhat literary word for quiet, inner sadness. In seiner Betrübtheit war er kaum ansprechbar — in his sadness he was barely approachable. Often used in older literary texts.

Examples

"Die Betrübtheit in ihren Augen verriet, dass sie die Nachricht bereits kannte."

Natural Translation

The sadness in her eyes revealed that she already knew the news.

Literal Translation

The sorrowfulness in her eyes betrayed that she already knew the news.

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