Betrübnis

sorrow, dejection

noun be-TRUEB-nis Rare

Usage Note

Betrübnis is a literary or elevated word for sorrow — a quiet, inward sadness. It appears in formal letters, religious texts, and 19th-century-style prose. In everyday speech, Traurigkeit or Kummer would be preferred.

Examples

"In tiefer Betrübnis gedachte die Familie ihres verstorbenen Vaters."

Natural Translation

In deep sorrow the family remembered their deceased father.

Literal Translation

In deep sorrow remembered the family their deceased father.

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