das Dreiste
Translation
audacity, brazenness, impudence, cheek
Examples
Das Dreiste an seiner Antwort war unglaublich.
The audacity of his answer was unbelievable.
Sie hatte das Dreiste, einfach zu gehen.
She had the cheek to just leave.
Grammar Patterns
the audacity of ((sth.dat)) the audacity of (sth.) The audacity of his question was the curiosity.
to have the audacity to ((infinitive)) to have the audacity to (do sth.) He had the audacity to ignore me.
Similar Words
Synonyms: die Frechheit (cheekiness), die Unverschämtheit (impudence); Antonyms: die Schüchternheit (shyness), die Bescheidenheit (modesty)
Etymology
This is a nominalised adjective, from 'dreist' (brazen, audacious).
Memory Tips
Think of 'dreist' as someone 'daring' or 'thrusting' themselves forward without shame. 'Das Dreiste' is the act or quality itself.