Two reasons to soften
A euphemism replaces a blunt word with a gentler one. German uses them for the same two reasons as English. Tact protects the listener: death, illness, the body. Framing protects the speaker: companies and politicians choose words that make bad news sound technical. The first kind you should use yourself; the second you need to see through.
One fact, two words
Ihr Vater ist letzte Woche gestorben.
Her father died last week.
plain and fine in conversation
Ihr Vater ist letzte Woche von uns gegangen.
Her father passed away last week.
gentler, used with the family
Tact: death, age, the body
Gentle words
| Euphemism | Plain word | English |
|---|---|---|
| verstorben, von uns gegangen, entschlafen | gestorben, tot | passed away, late |
| nicht mehr ganz jung, in die Jahre gekommen | alt | getting on a bit |
| vollschlank, kräftig | dick | full-figured, well-built |
| das stille Örtchen | die Toilette | the little boys' or girls' room |
In a condolence card
Mit großer Betroffenheit haben wir vom Tod Ihrer Mutter erfahren.
We were deeply saddened to hear of your mother's death.
the noun Tod is not too blunt in a card
Nach langer Krankheit ist er friedlich eingeschlafen.
After a long illness, he passed away peacefully.
Framing: business and politics
Here the softer word hides who did what. English corporate language has the same reflex (let go, rightsizing). Recognise the German versions in news and company emails.
Spin and what it means
| Euphemism | Means | English |
|---|---|---|
| Mitarbeiter freisetzen, Stellen abbauen | Leute entlassen | to let staff go |
| sich von jemandem trennen | jemandem kündigen | to part ways with someone |
| Preisanpassung | Preiserhöhung | price adjustment |
| Nullwachstum, negatives Wachstum | Stillstand, Schrumpfen | zero or negative growth |
| eine Herausforderung | ein Problem | a challenge |
Im Zuge der Umstrukturierung werden 200 Mitarbeitende freigesetzt.
As part of the restructuring, 200 employees will be let go.
Wir haben uns einvernehmlich getrennt.
We parted ways by mutual agreement.
often after a dismissal
The code of the Arbeitszeugnis
German employers must give leaving employees a written reference, the Arbeitszeugnis, and by law it has to be worded benevolently. So criticism is expressed through graded praise. The key sentence about overall performance works like a school grade.
Zufriedenheit, graded
| Phrase | Grade |
|---|---|
| stets zu unserer vollsten Zufriedenheit | very good |
| stets zu unserer vollen Zufriedenheit | good |
| zu unserer vollen Zufriedenheit | satisfactory |
| zu unserer Zufriedenheit | sufficient |
| hat sich bemüht | poor |
