Is there an expression that translates to “building character” in German?

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11















My friend and I were out in the rain, and I was asked why I left my stuffed animal keychain clipped to my backpack if it will get wet. I wanted to reply with an offhand joke about how being out in the rain builds character. Is there a German expression that means more or less the same thing?



Edit: No, this not a duplicate, though I acknowledge that there's a decent amount of overlap. However, the expression "to build character" in English can be used in a variety of contexts, some of them borderline flippant. I am US-American, and the context in which I see it most often is when parents make their children do something annoying or inconvenient for them (but is ultimately not a true "struggle"). My friend and I were joking around, referring to my stuffed animal as if "he" were a child rather than a keychain. I wanted to say something like "it builds (my stuffed animal's) character for him to be out in the rain." The expression here lacks the context to answer my question sufficiently and requires me to make inferences/assumptions I'm not necessarily in a position to make.



Thank you!










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  • 8





    Nietzsche said "Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker."

    – tofro
    Jan 10 at 7:27











  • related: german.stackexchange.com/q/7887/20967

    – Pollitzer
    Jan 10 at 8:48






  • 2





    Possible duplicate of "Made strong through the struggles"

    – bummi
    Jan 10 at 20:56






  • 7





    Why duplicate??? - the linked question clearly asks for something else (building character vs. strong through struggles). We may get some similar answers here and there but most answers we have here will not fit to the linked question. This alone indicates that it is not a dupe! Don't be overzealous in closing.

    – Takkat
    Jan 11 at 8:05







  • 1





    @tofro Or in street lingo, "Was nicht tot macht macht hart." (I think the street shuns commata.)

    – Peter A. Schneider
    Jan 11 at 9:33















11















My friend and I were out in the rain, and I was asked why I left my stuffed animal keychain clipped to my backpack if it will get wet. I wanted to reply with an offhand joke about how being out in the rain builds character. Is there a German expression that means more or less the same thing?



Edit: No, this not a duplicate, though I acknowledge that there's a decent amount of overlap. However, the expression "to build character" in English can be used in a variety of contexts, some of them borderline flippant. I am US-American, and the context in which I see it most often is when parents make their children do something annoying or inconvenient for them (but is ultimately not a true "struggle"). My friend and I were joking around, referring to my stuffed animal as if "he" were a child rather than a keychain. I wanted to say something like "it builds (my stuffed animal's) character for him to be out in the rain." The expression here lacks the context to answer my question sufficiently and requires me to make inferences/assumptions I'm not necessarily in a position to make.



Thank you!










share|improve this question



















  • 8





    Nietzsche said "Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker."

    – tofro
    Jan 10 at 7:27











  • related: german.stackexchange.com/q/7887/20967

    – Pollitzer
    Jan 10 at 8:48






  • 2





    Possible duplicate of "Made strong through the struggles"

    – bummi
    Jan 10 at 20:56






  • 7





    Why duplicate??? - the linked question clearly asks for something else (building character vs. strong through struggles). We may get some similar answers here and there but most answers we have here will not fit to the linked question. This alone indicates that it is not a dupe! Don't be overzealous in closing.

    – Takkat
    Jan 11 at 8:05







  • 1





    @tofro Or in street lingo, "Was nicht tot macht macht hart." (I think the street shuns commata.)

    – Peter A. Schneider
    Jan 11 at 9:33













11












11








11


2






My friend and I were out in the rain, and I was asked why I left my stuffed animal keychain clipped to my backpack if it will get wet. I wanted to reply with an offhand joke about how being out in the rain builds character. Is there a German expression that means more or less the same thing?



Edit: No, this not a duplicate, though I acknowledge that there's a decent amount of overlap. However, the expression "to build character" in English can be used in a variety of contexts, some of them borderline flippant. I am US-American, and the context in which I see it most often is when parents make their children do something annoying or inconvenient for them (but is ultimately not a true "struggle"). My friend and I were joking around, referring to my stuffed animal as if "he" were a child rather than a keychain. I wanted to say something like "it builds (my stuffed animal's) character for him to be out in the rain." The expression here lacks the context to answer my question sufficiently and requires me to make inferences/assumptions I'm not necessarily in a position to make.



Thank you!










share|improve this question
















My friend and I were out in the rain, and I was asked why I left my stuffed animal keychain clipped to my backpack if it will get wet. I wanted to reply with an offhand joke about how being out in the rain builds character. Is there a German expression that means more or less the same thing?



Edit: No, this not a duplicate, though I acknowledge that there's a decent amount of overlap. However, the expression "to build character" in English can be used in a variety of contexts, some of them borderline flippant. I am US-American, and the context in which I see it most often is when parents make their children do something annoying or inconvenient for them (but is ultimately not a true "struggle"). My friend and I were joking around, referring to my stuffed animal as if "he" were a child rather than a keychain. I wanted to say something like "it builds (my stuffed animal's) character for him to be out in the rain." The expression here lacks the context to answer my question sufficiently and requires me to make inferences/assumptions I'm not necessarily in a position to make.



Thank you!







expressions colloquial






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share|improve this question













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share|improve this question








edited Jan 11 at 20:53







eurieka

















asked Jan 9 at 23:13









euriekaeurieka

7016




7016







  • 8





    Nietzsche said "Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker."

    – tofro
    Jan 10 at 7:27











  • related: german.stackexchange.com/q/7887/20967

    – Pollitzer
    Jan 10 at 8:48






  • 2





    Possible duplicate of "Made strong through the struggles"

    – bummi
    Jan 10 at 20:56






  • 7





    Why duplicate??? - the linked question clearly asks for something else (building character vs. strong through struggles). We may get some similar answers here and there but most answers we have here will not fit to the linked question. This alone indicates that it is not a dupe! Don't be overzealous in closing.

    – Takkat
    Jan 11 at 8:05







  • 1





    @tofro Or in street lingo, "Was nicht tot macht macht hart." (I think the street shuns commata.)

    – Peter A. Schneider
    Jan 11 at 9:33












  • 8





    Nietzsche said "Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker."

    – tofro
    Jan 10 at 7:27











  • related: german.stackexchange.com/q/7887/20967

    – Pollitzer
    Jan 10 at 8:48






  • 2





    Possible duplicate of "Made strong through the struggles"

    – bummi
    Jan 10 at 20:56






  • 7





    Why duplicate??? - the linked question clearly asks for something else (building character vs. strong through struggles). We may get some similar answers here and there but most answers we have here will not fit to the linked question. This alone indicates that it is not a dupe! Don't be overzealous in closing.

    – Takkat
    Jan 11 at 8:05







  • 1





    @tofro Or in street lingo, "Was nicht tot macht macht hart." (I think the street shuns commata.)

    – Peter A. Schneider
    Jan 11 at 9:33







8




8





Nietzsche said "Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker."

– tofro
Jan 10 at 7:27





Nietzsche said "Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker."

– tofro
Jan 10 at 7:27













related: german.stackexchange.com/q/7887/20967

– Pollitzer
Jan 10 at 8:48





related: german.stackexchange.com/q/7887/20967

– Pollitzer
Jan 10 at 8:48




2




2





Possible duplicate of "Made strong through the struggles"

– bummi
Jan 10 at 20:56





Possible duplicate of "Made strong through the struggles"

– bummi
Jan 10 at 20:56




7




7





Why duplicate??? - the linked question clearly asks for something else (building character vs. strong through struggles). We may get some similar answers here and there but most answers we have here will not fit to the linked question. This alone indicates that it is not a dupe! Don't be overzealous in closing.

– Takkat
Jan 11 at 8:05






Why duplicate??? - the linked question clearly asks for something else (building character vs. strong through struggles). We may get some similar answers here and there but most answers we have here will not fit to the linked question. This alone indicates that it is not a dupe! Don't be overzealous in closing.

– Takkat
Jan 11 at 8:05





1




1





@tofro Or in street lingo, "Was nicht tot macht macht hart." (I think the street shuns commata.)

– Peter A. Schneider
Jan 11 at 9:33





@tofro Or in street lingo, "Was nicht tot macht macht hart." (I think the street shuns commata.)

– Peter A. Schneider
Jan 11 at 9:33










9 Answers
9






active

oldest

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19














In the context of exposure to cold and rain I probably would have said:




Das härtet ab!




With this meaning of abhärten in mind: to toughen s.o, to build up s.o.'s resistance, to make s.b. stronger






share|improve this answer




















  • 1





    Especially, in a flippant context: "Alles was nicht tötet härtet ab!"

    – Guntram Blohm
    Jan 11 at 12:34











  • @GuntramBlohm: The original to that is a Nietzsche quote, "Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker."

    – Torsten Schoeneberg
    Jan 14 at 18:48


















16














You can say:




Im Regen zu sein stärkt den Charakter.
Being in the rain strengthens the character.




(also »festigt« instead of »stärkt«)



But German native speakers won't say something like this in such a situation. If you walk through the rain, and someone asks you why you don't use an umbrella or a raincoat, or why you don't stay indoors, you say:




Ich bin doch nicht aus Zucker.
I'm not made from sugar.




With this sentence you say, that you're not touchy and you won't melt in the rain. (The word doch is a modal particle, this is a part of speech that doesn't exist in English. It just adds an emotion to the sentence. For details look at this question about »doch«)



So, when talking about your stuffed animal keychain you could say:




Das ist doch nicht aus Zucker.
It's not made from sugar.







share|improve this answer




















  • 1





    I like your answer, but the context doesn't quite fit. In English, more or less the same expression exists. If I understood correctly, it's more of a "defensive" description - it won't melt, meaning it can withstand some rain. I mean something more along the lines of positive growth from the experience. But thank you! Your answer is very helpful.

    – eurieka
    Jan 10 at 16:31






  • 1





    +1 for Ich bin doch nicht aus Zucker. Especially women say this.

    – Janka
    Jan 10 at 21:04











  • @Janka: Then I must be a woman.

    – Hubert Schölnast
    Jan 11 at 7:47






  • 3





    I've never noticed a gender skew there. Sounds a bit absurd to me. Though I usually hear 'Du bist doch nicht aus Zucker!', as a reply to someone complaining/whining when they have to go through the rain.

    – speedymcs
    Jan 11 at 13:17


















8














In addition to @IQV's literal answer, there is a very similar but more established term.




den Charakter formen




or




charakterformend




It follows the gist of forming ones character out of wet clay. (Which is rather fitting in your rainy, muddy scenario)






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    6














    "Nur die Harten kommen in den Garten"






    share|improve this answer


















    • 1





      You should expand this answer to support it by explaining why it's appropriate for the context or how/whether it's traditionally used.

      – V2Blast
      Jan 11 at 6:04


















    6














    In fact, the almost literal equivalent Charakterbildung (or Charaktererziehung — funny "erer", I know) does exist in German and perhaps is applicable in your case.



    It's not so much about hardening oneself than about becoming self-reliant, trusting and trustworthy, a decent person, too. Becoming an adult. In other words, "building" a character which enables a person to successfully navigate their life.






    share|improve this answer

























    • "Charaktererziehung" does not fit at all. Reason: Erziehung (n) / erziehen (v) are things that you can't do to yourself, but which require another person to do to you. The most common use is in "Kinder erziehen" or "Kindererziehung", which translates roughly to a mixture between "raising children" and "educating children".

      – GermanNerd
      Jan 11 at 9:42











    • @GermanNerd I thought the OP is leaving their doll in the rain in order to "build the dolls character", whatever exactly they mean. That would fit very nicely with "Erziehung", even though my first choice is "...bildung", partly because the equivalence with "building".

      – Peter A. Schneider
      Jan 11 at 9:50












    • A Schneider That interpretation of the OP's post did not cross my mind, but it might be true. In that case "Charaktererziehung" could work, although it is a little bit of an artificial word and not common in everyday language.

      – GermanNerd
      Jan 11 at 9:53


















    5














    The german equivalent for the expression "building character" is




    den Charakter stärken




    So the example could be translated as "im Regen stehen stärkt den Charakter" or similar.






    share|improve this answer
































      4














      "Es trägt zur Persönlichkeitsbildung bei."






      share|improve this answer


















      • 2





        You should expand this answer to support it by explaining why it's appropriate for the context or how/whether it's traditionally used.

        – V2Blast
        Jan 11 at 6:04


















      2














      The German saying for that is "Was nicht tötet, härtet ab.", sometimes preceded by "Alles". Basically "What doesn't kill you, makes you tougher."



      "Abhärten" sounds like coming from metalworking, but there you actually use "härten" for hardening metal surfaces. The combination with "ab-" is really used pretty much exclusively with humans, specifically in relation to cold but more generally to tough conditions.






      share|improve this answer






























        1














        Peter A. Schneider's reply deserves an upvote, he's bang on the money with Charakterbildung.



        • "character building" (noun) -> "die Charakterbildung"

        • "character-forming" (adj, aka "character-building") -> "charakterbildend"

        So to answer your questions directly, what you probably wanted to say was something along the lines of



        • "Yeah, but rain builds character." -> "Aber regen bildet doch Charakter."

        Examples:



        1. https://de.motorsport.com/f1/news/bottas-verspricht-volle-attacke-baku-drama-war-charakterbildend-1034660/3076596/


        2. https://www.tikonline.de/star-news/vip-news/97210/prinz-charles-australien-ist-charakterbildend.html






        share|improve this answer
























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          9 Answers
          9






          active

          oldest

          votes








          9 Answers
          9






          active

          oldest

          votes









          active

          oldest

          votes






          active

          oldest

          votes









          19














          In the context of exposure to cold and rain I probably would have said:




          Das härtet ab!




          With this meaning of abhärten in mind: to toughen s.o, to build up s.o.'s resistance, to make s.b. stronger






          share|improve this answer




















          • 1





            Especially, in a flippant context: "Alles was nicht tötet härtet ab!"

            – Guntram Blohm
            Jan 11 at 12:34











          • @GuntramBlohm: The original to that is a Nietzsche quote, "Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker."

            – Torsten Schoeneberg
            Jan 14 at 18:48















          19














          In the context of exposure to cold and rain I probably would have said:




          Das härtet ab!




          With this meaning of abhärten in mind: to toughen s.o, to build up s.o.'s resistance, to make s.b. stronger






          share|improve this answer




















          • 1





            Especially, in a flippant context: "Alles was nicht tötet härtet ab!"

            – Guntram Blohm
            Jan 11 at 12:34











          • @GuntramBlohm: The original to that is a Nietzsche quote, "Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker."

            – Torsten Schoeneberg
            Jan 14 at 18:48













          19












          19








          19







          In the context of exposure to cold and rain I probably would have said:




          Das härtet ab!




          With this meaning of abhärten in mind: to toughen s.o, to build up s.o.'s resistance, to make s.b. stronger






          share|improve this answer















          In the context of exposure to cold and rain I probably would have said:




          Das härtet ab!




          With this meaning of abhärten in mind: to toughen s.o, to build up s.o.'s resistance, to make s.b. stronger







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited Jan 10 at 9:42

























          answered Jan 10 at 8:34









          TakkatTakkat

          57.6k17122357




          57.6k17122357







          • 1





            Especially, in a flippant context: "Alles was nicht tötet härtet ab!"

            – Guntram Blohm
            Jan 11 at 12:34











          • @GuntramBlohm: The original to that is a Nietzsche quote, "Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker."

            – Torsten Schoeneberg
            Jan 14 at 18:48












          • 1





            Especially, in a flippant context: "Alles was nicht tötet härtet ab!"

            – Guntram Blohm
            Jan 11 at 12:34











          • @GuntramBlohm: The original to that is a Nietzsche quote, "Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker."

            – Torsten Schoeneberg
            Jan 14 at 18:48







          1




          1





          Especially, in a flippant context: "Alles was nicht tötet härtet ab!"

          – Guntram Blohm
          Jan 11 at 12:34





          Especially, in a flippant context: "Alles was nicht tötet härtet ab!"

          – Guntram Blohm
          Jan 11 at 12:34













          @GuntramBlohm: The original to that is a Nietzsche quote, "Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker."

          – Torsten Schoeneberg
          Jan 14 at 18:48





          @GuntramBlohm: The original to that is a Nietzsche quote, "Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker."

          – Torsten Schoeneberg
          Jan 14 at 18:48











          16














          You can say:




          Im Regen zu sein stärkt den Charakter.
          Being in the rain strengthens the character.




          (also »festigt« instead of »stärkt«)



          But German native speakers won't say something like this in such a situation. If you walk through the rain, and someone asks you why you don't use an umbrella or a raincoat, or why you don't stay indoors, you say:




          Ich bin doch nicht aus Zucker.
          I'm not made from sugar.




          With this sentence you say, that you're not touchy and you won't melt in the rain. (The word doch is a modal particle, this is a part of speech that doesn't exist in English. It just adds an emotion to the sentence. For details look at this question about »doch«)



          So, when talking about your stuffed animal keychain you could say:




          Das ist doch nicht aus Zucker.
          It's not made from sugar.







          share|improve this answer




















          • 1





            I like your answer, but the context doesn't quite fit. In English, more or less the same expression exists. If I understood correctly, it's more of a "defensive" description - it won't melt, meaning it can withstand some rain. I mean something more along the lines of positive growth from the experience. But thank you! Your answer is very helpful.

            – eurieka
            Jan 10 at 16:31






          • 1





            +1 for Ich bin doch nicht aus Zucker. Especially women say this.

            – Janka
            Jan 10 at 21:04











          • @Janka: Then I must be a woman.

            – Hubert Schölnast
            Jan 11 at 7:47






          • 3





            I've never noticed a gender skew there. Sounds a bit absurd to me. Though I usually hear 'Du bist doch nicht aus Zucker!', as a reply to someone complaining/whining when they have to go through the rain.

            – speedymcs
            Jan 11 at 13:17















          16














          You can say:




          Im Regen zu sein stärkt den Charakter.
          Being in the rain strengthens the character.




          (also »festigt« instead of »stärkt«)



          But German native speakers won't say something like this in such a situation. If you walk through the rain, and someone asks you why you don't use an umbrella or a raincoat, or why you don't stay indoors, you say:




          Ich bin doch nicht aus Zucker.
          I'm not made from sugar.




          With this sentence you say, that you're not touchy and you won't melt in the rain. (The word doch is a modal particle, this is a part of speech that doesn't exist in English. It just adds an emotion to the sentence. For details look at this question about »doch«)



          So, when talking about your stuffed animal keychain you could say:




          Das ist doch nicht aus Zucker.
          It's not made from sugar.







          share|improve this answer




















          • 1





            I like your answer, but the context doesn't quite fit. In English, more or less the same expression exists. If I understood correctly, it's more of a "defensive" description - it won't melt, meaning it can withstand some rain. I mean something more along the lines of positive growth from the experience. But thank you! Your answer is very helpful.

            – eurieka
            Jan 10 at 16:31






          • 1





            +1 for Ich bin doch nicht aus Zucker. Especially women say this.

            – Janka
            Jan 10 at 21:04











          • @Janka: Then I must be a woman.

            – Hubert Schölnast
            Jan 11 at 7:47






          • 3





            I've never noticed a gender skew there. Sounds a bit absurd to me. Though I usually hear 'Du bist doch nicht aus Zucker!', as a reply to someone complaining/whining when they have to go through the rain.

            – speedymcs
            Jan 11 at 13:17













          16












          16








          16







          You can say:




          Im Regen zu sein stärkt den Charakter.
          Being in the rain strengthens the character.




          (also »festigt« instead of »stärkt«)



          But German native speakers won't say something like this in such a situation. If you walk through the rain, and someone asks you why you don't use an umbrella or a raincoat, or why you don't stay indoors, you say:




          Ich bin doch nicht aus Zucker.
          I'm not made from sugar.




          With this sentence you say, that you're not touchy and you won't melt in the rain. (The word doch is a modal particle, this is a part of speech that doesn't exist in English. It just adds an emotion to the sentence. For details look at this question about »doch«)



          So, when talking about your stuffed animal keychain you could say:




          Das ist doch nicht aus Zucker.
          It's not made from sugar.







          share|improve this answer















          You can say:




          Im Regen zu sein stärkt den Charakter.
          Being in the rain strengthens the character.




          (also »festigt« instead of »stärkt«)



          But German native speakers won't say something like this in such a situation. If you walk through the rain, and someone asks you why you don't use an umbrella or a raincoat, or why you don't stay indoors, you say:




          Ich bin doch nicht aus Zucker.
          I'm not made from sugar.




          With this sentence you say, that you're not touchy and you won't melt in the rain. (The word doch is a modal particle, this is a part of speech that doesn't exist in English. It just adds an emotion to the sentence. For details look at this question about »doch«)



          So, when talking about your stuffed animal keychain you could say:




          Das ist doch nicht aus Zucker.
          It's not made from sugar.








          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited Jan 10 at 16:26

























          answered Jan 10 at 7:21









          Hubert SchölnastHubert Schölnast

          71.7k6104238




          71.7k6104238







          • 1





            I like your answer, but the context doesn't quite fit. In English, more or less the same expression exists. If I understood correctly, it's more of a "defensive" description - it won't melt, meaning it can withstand some rain. I mean something more along the lines of positive growth from the experience. But thank you! Your answer is very helpful.

            – eurieka
            Jan 10 at 16:31






          • 1





            +1 for Ich bin doch nicht aus Zucker. Especially women say this.

            – Janka
            Jan 10 at 21:04











          • @Janka: Then I must be a woman.

            – Hubert Schölnast
            Jan 11 at 7:47






          • 3





            I've never noticed a gender skew there. Sounds a bit absurd to me. Though I usually hear 'Du bist doch nicht aus Zucker!', as a reply to someone complaining/whining when they have to go through the rain.

            – speedymcs
            Jan 11 at 13:17












          • 1





            I like your answer, but the context doesn't quite fit. In English, more or less the same expression exists. If I understood correctly, it's more of a "defensive" description - it won't melt, meaning it can withstand some rain. I mean something more along the lines of positive growth from the experience. But thank you! Your answer is very helpful.

            – eurieka
            Jan 10 at 16:31






          • 1





            +1 for Ich bin doch nicht aus Zucker. Especially women say this.

            – Janka
            Jan 10 at 21:04











          • @Janka: Then I must be a woman.

            – Hubert Schölnast
            Jan 11 at 7:47






          • 3





            I've never noticed a gender skew there. Sounds a bit absurd to me. Though I usually hear 'Du bist doch nicht aus Zucker!', as a reply to someone complaining/whining when they have to go through the rain.

            – speedymcs
            Jan 11 at 13:17







          1




          1





          I like your answer, but the context doesn't quite fit. In English, more or less the same expression exists. If I understood correctly, it's more of a "defensive" description - it won't melt, meaning it can withstand some rain. I mean something more along the lines of positive growth from the experience. But thank you! Your answer is very helpful.

          – eurieka
          Jan 10 at 16:31





          I like your answer, but the context doesn't quite fit. In English, more or less the same expression exists. If I understood correctly, it's more of a "defensive" description - it won't melt, meaning it can withstand some rain. I mean something more along the lines of positive growth from the experience. But thank you! Your answer is very helpful.

          – eurieka
          Jan 10 at 16:31




          1




          1





          +1 for Ich bin doch nicht aus Zucker. Especially women say this.

          – Janka
          Jan 10 at 21:04





          +1 for Ich bin doch nicht aus Zucker. Especially women say this.

          – Janka
          Jan 10 at 21:04













          @Janka: Then I must be a woman.

          – Hubert Schölnast
          Jan 11 at 7:47





          @Janka: Then I must be a woman.

          – Hubert Schölnast
          Jan 11 at 7:47




          3




          3





          I've never noticed a gender skew there. Sounds a bit absurd to me. Though I usually hear 'Du bist doch nicht aus Zucker!', as a reply to someone complaining/whining when they have to go through the rain.

          – speedymcs
          Jan 11 at 13:17





          I've never noticed a gender skew there. Sounds a bit absurd to me. Though I usually hear 'Du bist doch nicht aus Zucker!', as a reply to someone complaining/whining when they have to go through the rain.

          – speedymcs
          Jan 11 at 13:17











          8














          In addition to @IQV's literal answer, there is a very similar but more established term.




          den Charakter formen




          or




          charakterformend




          It follows the gist of forming ones character out of wet clay. (Which is rather fitting in your rainy, muddy scenario)






          share|improve this answer





























            8














            In addition to @IQV's literal answer, there is a very similar but more established term.




            den Charakter formen




            or




            charakterformend




            It follows the gist of forming ones character out of wet clay. (Which is rather fitting in your rainy, muddy scenario)






            share|improve this answer



























              8












              8








              8







              In addition to @IQV's literal answer, there is a very similar but more established term.




              den Charakter formen




              or




              charakterformend




              It follows the gist of forming ones character out of wet clay. (Which is rather fitting in your rainy, muddy scenario)






              share|improve this answer















              In addition to @IQV's literal answer, there is a very similar but more established term.




              den Charakter formen




              or




              charakterformend




              It follows the gist of forming ones character out of wet clay. (Which is rather fitting in your rainy, muddy scenario)







              share|improve this answer














              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer








              edited Jan 11 at 7:56









              V2Blast

              1113




              1113










              answered Jan 10 at 7:19









              BestGuessBestGuess

              4044




              4044





















                  6














                  "Nur die Harten kommen in den Garten"






                  share|improve this answer


















                  • 1





                    You should expand this answer to support it by explaining why it's appropriate for the context or how/whether it's traditionally used.

                    – V2Blast
                    Jan 11 at 6:04















                  6














                  "Nur die Harten kommen in den Garten"






                  share|improve this answer


















                  • 1





                    You should expand this answer to support it by explaining why it's appropriate for the context or how/whether it's traditionally used.

                    – V2Blast
                    Jan 11 at 6:04













                  6












                  6








                  6







                  "Nur die Harten kommen in den Garten"






                  share|improve this answer













                  "Nur die Harten kommen in den Garten"







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered Jan 10 at 19:59









                  Ariane HorbachAriane Horbach

                  611




                  611







                  • 1





                    You should expand this answer to support it by explaining why it's appropriate for the context or how/whether it's traditionally used.

                    – V2Blast
                    Jan 11 at 6:04












                  • 1





                    You should expand this answer to support it by explaining why it's appropriate for the context or how/whether it's traditionally used.

                    – V2Blast
                    Jan 11 at 6:04







                  1




                  1





                  You should expand this answer to support it by explaining why it's appropriate for the context or how/whether it's traditionally used.

                  – V2Blast
                  Jan 11 at 6:04





                  You should expand this answer to support it by explaining why it's appropriate for the context or how/whether it's traditionally used.

                  – V2Blast
                  Jan 11 at 6:04











                  6














                  In fact, the almost literal equivalent Charakterbildung (or Charaktererziehung — funny "erer", I know) does exist in German and perhaps is applicable in your case.



                  It's not so much about hardening oneself than about becoming self-reliant, trusting and trustworthy, a decent person, too. Becoming an adult. In other words, "building" a character which enables a person to successfully navigate their life.






                  share|improve this answer

























                  • "Charaktererziehung" does not fit at all. Reason: Erziehung (n) / erziehen (v) are things that you can't do to yourself, but which require another person to do to you. The most common use is in "Kinder erziehen" or "Kindererziehung", which translates roughly to a mixture between "raising children" and "educating children".

                    – GermanNerd
                    Jan 11 at 9:42











                  • @GermanNerd I thought the OP is leaving their doll in the rain in order to "build the dolls character", whatever exactly they mean. That would fit very nicely with "Erziehung", even though my first choice is "...bildung", partly because the equivalence with "building".

                    – Peter A. Schneider
                    Jan 11 at 9:50












                  • A Schneider That interpretation of the OP's post did not cross my mind, but it might be true. In that case "Charaktererziehung" could work, although it is a little bit of an artificial word and not common in everyday language.

                    – GermanNerd
                    Jan 11 at 9:53















                  6














                  In fact, the almost literal equivalent Charakterbildung (or Charaktererziehung — funny "erer", I know) does exist in German and perhaps is applicable in your case.



                  It's not so much about hardening oneself than about becoming self-reliant, trusting and trustworthy, a decent person, too. Becoming an adult. In other words, "building" a character which enables a person to successfully navigate their life.






                  share|improve this answer

























                  • "Charaktererziehung" does not fit at all. Reason: Erziehung (n) / erziehen (v) are things that you can't do to yourself, but which require another person to do to you. The most common use is in "Kinder erziehen" or "Kindererziehung", which translates roughly to a mixture between "raising children" and "educating children".

                    – GermanNerd
                    Jan 11 at 9:42











                  • @GermanNerd I thought the OP is leaving their doll in the rain in order to "build the dolls character", whatever exactly they mean. That would fit very nicely with "Erziehung", even though my first choice is "...bildung", partly because the equivalence with "building".

                    – Peter A. Schneider
                    Jan 11 at 9:50












                  • A Schneider That interpretation of the OP's post did not cross my mind, but it might be true. In that case "Charaktererziehung" could work, although it is a little bit of an artificial word and not common in everyday language.

                    – GermanNerd
                    Jan 11 at 9:53













                  6












                  6








                  6







                  In fact, the almost literal equivalent Charakterbildung (or Charaktererziehung — funny "erer", I know) does exist in German and perhaps is applicable in your case.



                  It's not so much about hardening oneself than about becoming self-reliant, trusting and trustworthy, a decent person, too. Becoming an adult. In other words, "building" a character which enables a person to successfully navigate their life.






                  share|improve this answer















                  In fact, the almost literal equivalent Charakterbildung (or Charaktererziehung — funny "erer", I know) does exist in German and perhaps is applicable in your case.



                  It's not so much about hardening oneself than about becoming self-reliant, trusting and trustworthy, a decent person, too. Becoming an adult. In other words, "building" a character which enables a person to successfully navigate their life.







                  share|improve this answer














                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer








                  edited Jan 11 at 7:51

























                  answered Jan 10 at 14:07









                  Peter A. SchneiderPeter A. Schneider

                  50327




                  50327












                  • "Charaktererziehung" does not fit at all. Reason: Erziehung (n) / erziehen (v) are things that you can't do to yourself, but which require another person to do to you. The most common use is in "Kinder erziehen" or "Kindererziehung", which translates roughly to a mixture between "raising children" and "educating children".

                    – GermanNerd
                    Jan 11 at 9:42











                  • @GermanNerd I thought the OP is leaving their doll in the rain in order to "build the dolls character", whatever exactly they mean. That would fit very nicely with "Erziehung", even though my first choice is "...bildung", partly because the equivalence with "building".

                    – Peter A. Schneider
                    Jan 11 at 9:50












                  • A Schneider That interpretation of the OP's post did not cross my mind, but it might be true. In that case "Charaktererziehung" could work, although it is a little bit of an artificial word and not common in everyday language.

                    – GermanNerd
                    Jan 11 at 9:53

















                  • "Charaktererziehung" does not fit at all. Reason: Erziehung (n) / erziehen (v) are things that you can't do to yourself, but which require another person to do to you. The most common use is in "Kinder erziehen" or "Kindererziehung", which translates roughly to a mixture between "raising children" and "educating children".

                    – GermanNerd
                    Jan 11 at 9:42











                  • @GermanNerd I thought the OP is leaving their doll in the rain in order to "build the dolls character", whatever exactly they mean. That would fit very nicely with "Erziehung", even though my first choice is "...bildung", partly because the equivalence with "building".

                    – Peter A. Schneider
                    Jan 11 at 9:50












                  • A Schneider That interpretation of the OP's post did not cross my mind, but it might be true. In that case "Charaktererziehung" could work, although it is a little bit of an artificial word and not common in everyday language.

                    – GermanNerd
                    Jan 11 at 9:53
















                  "Charaktererziehung" does not fit at all. Reason: Erziehung (n) / erziehen (v) are things that you can't do to yourself, but which require another person to do to you. The most common use is in "Kinder erziehen" or "Kindererziehung", which translates roughly to a mixture between "raising children" and "educating children".

                  – GermanNerd
                  Jan 11 at 9:42





                  "Charaktererziehung" does not fit at all. Reason: Erziehung (n) / erziehen (v) are things that you can't do to yourself, but which require another person to do to you. The most common use is in "Kinder erziehen" or "Kindererziehung", which translates roughly to a mixture between "raising children" and "educating children".

                  – GermanNerd
                  Jan 11 at 9:42













                  @GermanNerd I thought the OP is leaving their doll in the rain in order to "build the dolls character", whatever exactly they mean. That would fit very nicely with "Erziehung", even though my first choice is "...bildung", partly because the equivalence with "building".

                  – Peter A. Schneider
                  Jan 11 at 9:50






                  @GermanNerd I thought the OP is leaving their doll in the rain in order to "build the dolls character", whatever exactly they mean. That would fit very nicely with "Erziehung", even though my first choice is "...bildung", partly because the equivalence with "building".

                  – Peter A. Schneider
                  Jan 11 at 9:50














                  A Schneider That interpretation of the OP's post did not cross my mind, but it might be true. In that case "Charaktererziehung" could work, although it is a little bit of an artificial word and not common in everyday language.

                  – GermanNerd
                  Jan 11 at 9:53





                  A Schneider That interpretation of the OP's post did not cross my mind, but it might be true. In that case "Charaktererziehung" could work, although it is a little bit of an artificial word and not common in everyday language.

                  – GermanNerd
                  Jan 11 at 9:53











                  5














                  The german equivalent for the expression "building character" is




                  den Charakter stärken




                  So the example could be translated as "im Regen stehen stärkt den Charakter" or similar.






                  share|improve this answer





























                    5














                    The german equivalent for the expression "building character" is




                    den Charakter stärken




                    So the example could be translated as "im Regen stehen stärkt den Charakter" or similar.






                    share|improve this answer



























                      5












                      5








                      5







                      The german equivalent for the expression "building character" is




                      den Charakter stärken




                      So the example could be translated as "im Regen stehen stärkt den Charakter" or similar.






                      share|improve this answer















                      The german equivalent for the expression "building character" is




                      den Charakter stärken




                      So the example could be translated as "im Regen stehen stärkt den Charakter" or similar.







                      share|improve this answer














                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer








                      edited Jan 10 at 9:39

























                      answered Jan 10 at 7:07









                      IQVIQV

                      9,5732845




                      9,5732845





















                          4














                          "Es trägt zur Persönlichkeitsbildung bei."






                          share|improve this answer


















                          • 2





                            You should expand this answer to support it by explaining why it's appropriate for the context or how/whether it's traditionally used.

                            – V2Blast
                            Jan 11 at 6:04















                          4














                          "Es trägt zur Persönlichkeitsbildung bei."






                          share|improve this answer


















                          • 2





                            You should expand this answer to support it by explaining why it's appropriate for the context or how/whether it's traditionally used.

                            – V2Blast
                            Jan 11 at 6:04













                          4












                          4








                          4







                          "Es trägt zur Persönlichkeitsbildung bei."






                          share|improve this answer













                          "Es trägt zur Persönlichkeitsbildung bei."







                          share|improve this answer












                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer










                          answered Jan 10 at 16:24









                          Torsten SchoenebergTorsten Schoeneberg

                          1413




                          1413







                          • 2





                            You should expand this answer to support it by explaining why it's appropriate for the context or how/whether it's traditionally used.

                            – V2Blast
                            Jan 11 at 6:04












                          • 2





                            You should expand this answer to support it by explaining why it's appropriate for the context or how/whether it's traditionally used.

                            – V2Blast
                            Jan 11 at 6:04







                          2




                          2





                          You should expand this answer to support it by explaining why it's appropriate for the context or how/whether it's traditionally used.

                          – V2Blast
                          Jan 11 at 6:04





                          You should expand this answer to support it by explaining why it's appropriate for the context or how/whether it's traditionally used.

                          – V2Blast
                          Jan 11 at 6:04











                          2














                          The German saying for that is "Was nicht tötet, härtet ab.", sometimes preceded by "Alles". Basically "What doesn't kill you, makes you tougher."



                          "Abhärten" sounds like coming from metalworking, but there you actually use "härten" for hardening metal surfaces. The combination with "ab-" is really used pretty much exclusively with humans, specifically in relation to cold but more generally to tough conditions.






                          share|improve this answer



























                            2














                            The German saying for that is "Was nicht tötet, härtet ab.", sometimes preceded by "Alles". Basically "What doesn't kill you, makes you tougher."



                            "Abhärten" sounds like coming from metalworking, but there you actually use "härten" for hardening metal surfaces. The combination with "ab-" is really used pretty much exclusively with humans, specifically in relation to cold but more generally to tough conditions.






                            share|improve this answer

























                              2












                              2








                              2







                              The German saying for that is "Was nicht tötet, härtet ab.", sometimes preceded by "Alles". Basically "What doesn't kill you, makes you tougher."



                              "Abhärten" sounds like coming from metalworking, but there you actually use "härten" for hardening metal surfaces. The combination with "ab-" is really used pretty much exclusively with humans, specifically in relation to cold but more generally to tough conditions.






                              share|improve this answer













                              The German saying for that is "Was nicht tötet, härtet ab.", sometimes preceded by "Alles". Basically "What doesn't kill you, makes you tougher."



                              "Abhärten" sounds like coming from metalworking, but there you actually use "härten" for hardening metal surfaces. The combination with "ab-" is really used pretty much exclusively with humans, specifically in relation to cold but more generally to tough conditions.







                              share|improve this answer












                              share|improve this answer



                              share|improve this answer










                              answered Jan 11 at 17:45







                              user35837




























                                  1














                                  Peter A. Schneider's reply deserves an upvote, he's bang on the money with Charakterbildung.



                                  • "character building" (noun) -> "die Charakterbildung"

                                  • "character-forming" (adj, aka "character-building") -> "charakterbildend"

                                  So to answer your questions directly, what you probably wanted to say was something along the lines of



                                  • "Yeah, but rain builds character." -> "Aber regen bildet doch Charakter."

                                  Examples:



                                  1. https://de.motorsport.com/f1/news/bottas-verspricht-volle-attacke-baku-drama-war-charakterbildend-1034660/3076596/


                                  2. https://www.tikonline.de/star-news/vip-news/97210/prinz-charles-australien-ist-charakterbildend.html






                                  share|improve this answer





























                                    1














                                    Peter A. Schneider's reply deserves an upvote, he's bang on the money with Charakterbildung.



                                    • "character building" (noun) -> "die Charakterbildung"

                                    • "character-forming" (adj, aka "character-building") -> "charakterbildend"

                                    So to answer your questions directly, what you probably wanted to say was something along the lines of



                                    • "Yeah, but rain builds character." -> "Aber regen bildet doch Charakter."

                                    Examples:



                                    1. https://de.motorsport.com/f1/news/bottas-verspricht-volle-attacke-baku-drama-war-charakterbildend-1034660/3076596/


                                    2. https://www.tikonline.de/star-news/vip-news/97210/prinz-charles-australien-ist-charakterbildend.html






                                    share|improve this answer



























                                      1












                                      1








                                      1







                                      Peter A. Schneider's reply deserves an upvote, he's bang on the money with Charakterbildung.



                                      • "character building" (noun) -> "die Charakterbildung"

                                      • "character-forming" (adj, aka "character-building") -> "charakterbildend"

                                      So to answer your questions directly, what you probably wanted to say was something along the lines of



                                      • "Yeah, but rain builds character." -> "Aber regen bildet doch Charakter."

                                      Examples:



                                      1. https://de.motorsport.com/f1/news/bottas-verspricht-volle-attacke-baku-drama-war-charakterbildend-1034660/3076596/


                                      2. https://www.tikonline.de/star-news/vip-news/97210/prinz-charles-australien-ist-charakterbildend.html






                                      share|improve this answer















                                      Peter A. Schneider's reply deserves an upvote, he's bang on the money with Charakterbildung.



                                      • "character building" (noun) -> "die Charakterbildung"

                                      • "character-forming" (adj, aka "character-building") -> "charakterbildend"

                                      So to answer your questions directly, what you probably wanted to say was something along the lines of



                                      • "Yeah, but rain builds character." -> "Aber regen bildet doch Charakter."

                                      Examples:



                                      1. https://de.motorsport.com/f1/news/bottas-verspricht-volle-attacke-baku-drama-war-charakterbildend-1034660/3076596/


                                      2. https://www.tikonline.de/star-news/vip-news/97210/prinz-charles-australien-ist-charakterbildend.html







                                      share|improve this answer














                                      share|improve this answer



                                      share|improve this answer








                                      edited Jan 14 at 0:50









                                      help-info.de

                                      1,004313




                                      1,004313










                                      answered Jan 12 at 15:33









                                      Wee JeemWee Jeem

                                      111




                                      111



























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