What does the German phrase "Schadenfreude Weltschmerz" denote or connote?

Question

Is this even an authentic German phrase or did someone just jokingly put two German words together to make an interesting sounding remark? Has anyone ever heard these two words together this way before (other than as a humorous answer on Yahoo! Answers)?

roscoedea...: So it is a phrase in common use then?

Just found on Google a review of a book in which one character departing the house of a second character leaves behind a scrap of paper on which is written the words Schadenfreude and Weltschmerz.

http://www.harpercollins.com/author/authorExtra.aspx?isbn13=9780060936952&displayType=readingGuide

Apparently both of these words have found their way into the English lexicon. I'm wondering if this phrase using the two words together has as well?

I found this phrase used in a humorous answer here on YA. I suspected that the person using it had just thrown together two interesting and interesting-sounding German words as much for the sound as for the meaning. Based on the answers to my question so far (7 answers at this point) I am wondering whether this phrase, although never used by Germans, is becoming acceptable usage in the English language. We all know that English is the scavenger supreme among modern languages so this is a distinct possibility, is it not?

Well not quite "scavenger." What I mean is "borrower."

[ЭΩ∞]:Thanks for the explanation. Still seems to me that "Schadenfreude" alone would be sufficient to convey the intended meaning and "Weltschmerz" is added sort of as an echo and because it makes for a very catchy phrase - - - - in German or English. Maybe it gives the thought a more universal context or creates a larger "spider web" to envelope the mind of the listener. Oh, and by the way, this "undertone" you refer to, that would be....what? I don't think I really got it myself.

Answer 1

"Schadenfreude Weltschmerz" is not used as phrase here in germany, especially because it make not really sense.
weltschmerz means world-weariness (weltschmerz is also a NOT often used word ingermany - i guess only by some philosphies)
Schadenfreude means malicious joy

for figure out some german word you can use this site:
http://dict.leo.org/
just fill in the word you need to translate...this site has also a good forum where you can easily ask questions like this.

Answer 2

I don't even know what the second word means. Sorry. But by doing a quick google search, those two words don't seem to make up a phrase. Authentic German phrase or two random words? I'd go with the latter.

On a different note, I think the word "Schadenfreude" is completely awesome.

I need to ask a question to the other answerers:
I thought that Schadenfreude meant joy at the misfortune of others. If so, then your definitions only apply to one word out of the pair and doesn't show that the two actually make up a phrase. How does Welschmerz play into that?
Also, sounds like some suspicious online translator answers are being provided...

Answer 3

I think that two people put together two German words that are in vogue right now.

"Schadenfreude" is taking pleasure in the misfortune of others.
"Weltschmerz" is sorrow that you feel when you compare the true state of the world to an idealized world.

I think the previous answerer has an interesting theory about the possible meaning of this phrase, but I don't see how it could work out since both of these words are nouns.

I think you are right that somebody just put these two words together to make it sound cool.

Answer 4

Schadenfreude is to take joy in the suffering of others and weltschmerz is the pain of the world. Someone has just thrown these 2 words together, probably to have a pop at the germans. these are never used together

Answer 5

Marko F,

Here’s the deal, my friend:

Schadenfreude = Malicious pleasure

Weltschmerz = World Pain


Together “Schadenfreude Weltschmerz” literally means “Malicious pleasure [at the expense of] world pain”. In other words, a slang expression meaning: “Getting your kicks at the expense of the others”, or if you like “Having fun by fu*king with others’ mind”. {Well, by now, I am sure you know what I mean Marko F, don't you? ... LOL LOL LOL}

Having fun at the expense of others, by the way, was NOT (and I repeat, was NOT) my intention at all when I asked the Wittgenstein question. … Most people “missed” the true undertone behind my Wittgenstein inquiry altogether – oh well, this is Y!A, after all! :-) :-)

Answer 6

The Allman Brothers?! They're probably the least emo band EVER. Anyway, emo has become an insult because as a rule all emo music sucks, even the original "hardcore" emo or whatever. Rites of Spring... **** those guys, who said they could name their shitty band after one of the greatest pieces of 20th century music? Also, the kids who listen to this stuff are generally the most pathetic slime of this generation, so it was inevitable that this term would come to be an insult. Anyway, don't get me started, emo brought this upon itself for sucking so badly.

Answer 7

where did you found it? I can easely give you the definition of one and the other..but both put together is almost an anachronisme. Schadenfrued is that bad and cheap pleasure to see the next ( you don't like) in trouble. Weltschmerz..is what french call " le mal être" (the feeling bad (in this world)..freely traduced...

Answer 8

Literally, it means "damage joy world pain" in common use though, it means taking pleasure in the suffering of others

Answer 9

Finding joy in other's misfortune.

Answer 10

that's right it's to take joy in the suffering of others