Wenn ein Partner keine Kinder will

What does “niemandem Rechenschaft schuldig” mean in German?

In the clip, friends discuss whether to have children. One says you don’t have to explain such a private choice to other people. “Niemandem Rechenschaft schuldig” means you owe no one an account of yourself — no reasons, no defense. “Rechenschaft” is the explanation you’d give to someone who feels owed one; “schuldig” means you owe it. She adds a soft exception: maybe your partner, “im Zweifelsfall.” A firm but calm way to say: this is mine to decide.

Spoken line: “Da ist man niemandem Rechenschaft schuldig, außer dem Partner im Zweifelsfall.” — “There you owe no one an explanation, except your partner if it comes to that.” This phrase fits any private decision you don’t have to justify to outsiders. “Rechenschaft schuldig sein” = to owe someone an account of what you did or chose. You can also flip it: “Rechenschaft fordern” means to demand that someone explain themselves. More examples: - “Ich bin dir keine Rechenschaft schuldig.” — “I don’t owe you any explanation.” - “Sie ist niemandem Rechenschaft schuldig, wie sie ihr Geld ausgibt.” — “She owes no one an account of how she spends her money.” - “Der Chef forderte Rechenschaft über die Verspätung.” — “The boss demanded an explanation for the delay.” Usage notes: it’s a bit formal and firm, common when defending a private choice or in talk about responsibility. “Zweifelsfall” here means “if it really comes to that / in case of doubt.”