das  Corps

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/kɔʁ/

🧐 What exactly is a Corps?

The word das Corps (pronounced [koːɐ̯]) comes from French and mainly refers to two things in German:

• 🧑‍🎓 Student Fraternity: A traditional type of student association at universities, often with specific rituals, colours (Farben), and an emphasis on community and lifelong bonds (Lebensbundprinzip). These Corps are historically significant in the German higher education system.
• 🎖️ Military Unit: A large military formation, typically consisting of several divisions. Example: das Heerescorps (the army corps).
• 🌍 Diplomacy (less common): Sometimes used for the diplomatische Corps (the entirety of diplomatic representatives in a country), although the German spelling "Korps" is often preferred here.

🚨 Important: The pronunciation is [koːɐ̯] (singular) and [koːɐ̯s] (plural), even though the spelling often remains the same in the plural! Don't confuse it with "der Körper" (the body). The alternative spelling "das Korps" also exists and is often used synonymously, especially in a military context.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📜 Grammar Spotlight: Das Corps

Gender: Neuter (sächlich)

Article: das

Pronunciation: Singular [koːɐ̯], Plural [koːɐ̯s]

💡 Example Sentences

1. Er trat einem alten Corps an der Universität bei.
   (He joined an old fraternity at the university.)
2. Das Corps rückte an die Front vor.
   (The corps advanced to the front.)
3. Der Botschafter gehört dem diplomatischen Corps an.
   (The ambassador belongs to the diplomatic corps.)

🗣️ How to Use "das Corps"?

The usage of "das Corps" heavily depends on the context:

• In a university setting: Clearly refers to a student fraternity (Studentenverbindung). Here, the spelling "Corps" is more common and emphasizes tradition. Example: "Das Corps feiert sein Stiftungsfest." (The Corps celebrates its foundation anniversary.)
• In a military context: Denotes a large unit (Großverband). Here, it competes with the spelling "das Korps", which is often seen as more modern or purely German. Example: "Das III. Corps wurde mobilisiert." (The III. Corps was mobilized.)
• In a diplomatic context: Here, "das diplomatische Korps" is more common than "Corps", but both are understandable.

Differentiation:

• Das Korps: Often synonymous, especially in military use. Sometimes seen as the purely German variant.
• Der Körper: Completely different meaning (physical body). Do not confuse!

⚠️ Pay attention to the pronunciation, especially in the plural ([koːɐ̯s]), to avoid misunderstandings.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Corps"

For the article "das":

Think of das Haus (the house) – a neutral place where the fraternity group (Corps) meets. Or think of das Team – many groups in German are neuter. The Corps is a neutral collective body.

For the meaning:

Imagine a Corps (like a *corpus*, a body) is a cohesive body of people – whether students 🧑‍🎓 or soldiers 🎖️. They form a collective 'body'. The 'ps' ending (silent in singular) might remind you of 'groups'.

↔️ Similar & Opposite: Synonyms and Antonyms

🚨 Careful, easy to confuse!

• Der Körper: Means the physical body of a person or animal. Completely different meaning!
• Der Kurs: Means *course* (like a class) or *direction*. Unrelated to "Corps".

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Professor einen Corpsstudenten: "Können Sie mir den Unterschied zwischen Ignoranz und Apathie erklären?"
Antwortet der Student gelangweilt: "Weiß ich nicht und ist mir auch egal."

(Professor asks a Corps student: "Can you explain the difference between ignorance and apathy?"
The student replies boredly: "I don't know and I don't care.")

(Plays on the stereotype that Corps students might sometimes seem disinterested in academic details.)

✒️ A Little Poem

Das Corps

In alten Mauern, stolz und fest,
hält Tradition das Corps im Nest.
Mit Band und Mütze, Comment streng,
wird Freundschaft hier fürs Leben eng.

Auch auf dem Feld, in Reih und Glied,
das Corps zum Einsatz zieht.
Ein starker Arm, befehlsbereit,
für Schutz und Wehr zu jeder Zeit.

(In ancient walls, proud and strong,
Tradition holds the Corps along.
With ribbon, cap, and rules severe,
Friendship for life is forged right here.)

(Also in fields, in rank and file,
The Corps deploys, goes the extra mile.
A strong arm, ready for command,
For defense and guard throughout the land.)

🧩 Who or What Am I? A Riddle

Ich bin ein Bund, doch kein Verein im Sport,
man findet mich am Uni-Ort.
Ich kann auch marschieren, groß und breit,
als Teil der Streitmacht, kampfbereit.
Mein Name klingt französisch fein,
mein Artikel muss sächlich sein.

Wer bin ich? (I am a league, but not a sports club,
You find me at the university hub.
I can also march, wide and grand,
As part of the armed forces, ready to stand.
My name sounds elegantly French,
My article must be neuter, hence.)

Solution: das Corps

🌍 Origin and Other Info

Etymology (Word Origin):

The word "Corps" comes directly from French, where "corps" also means "body" or "group", "unit". It derives from the Latin word corpus (body). It was adopted into German primarily in the 18th and 19th centuries, both in military and student contexts.

Pronunciation Peculiarity:

The 'ps' at the end is silent in the singular ([koːɐ̯]), but pronounced in the plural ([koːɐ̯s]). This is a typical feature of words borrowed from French.

Trivia:

• Student Corps are among the oldest forms of student fraternities (Studentenverbindungen) in Germany and have a rich, sometimes controversial, history.
• In the military, a Corps typically denotes a unit comprising 20,000 to 45,000 soldiers.