German word

Mut

Pronunciation

IPA/muːt/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncourage

Example

Ich habe keinen Mut, mich zu entschuldigen.

I don't have the courage to apologize.

Illustration for Mut (courage)

More examples

Sie zeigte Mut und sprach vor der ganzen Klasse.

She showed courage and spoke in front of the whole class.

Core concept

A person steps into an uncertain situation with fear present but not in control.

Common phrases

  • Mut haben

    have courage

  • Mut zeigen

    show courage

  • Mut fassen

    take courage

Similar words

Courage: The bravery needed to overcome embarrassment or worry and act.
Selbstvertrauen: A lasting sense of trust in one's own abilities.

Definition in German

Mut bezeichnet die Fähigkeit, trotz Unsicherheit oder Angst entschlossen zu handeln.

Word origin

Mut descends from Old High German muot and Proto-Germanic *mōdaz, a Germanic root related to English mood and once linked to mind, spirit, and courage.

Usage tips

  • Mut is masculine, so fixed phrases use der Mut, den Mut, and mit Mut.

Other meanings

  • nervenoun
  • boldnessnoun

Opposites

  • Feigheitcowardicenoun
  • Furchtfearnoun

Related words

  • mutigbraveadjective
  • ermutigenencourageverb
  • Mutlosigkeitlack of couragenoun

Word lists with this word