das
Debakel
What Exactly is a Debakel? 🤔
Das Debakel (noun, neuter) means a complete failure, a collapse, or a fiasco. It describes an event or undertaking that fails disastrously on all fronts, often associated with public embarrassment or severe negative consequences.
It's a strong word implying a failure of considerable magnitude. The term originates from French (débâcle).
⚠️ There is only this one article (das) for this word. It always refers to the event of the failure itself.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Many foreign words → mostly neutral.
There are many foreign words, we won't list them all.
The Grammar Behind 'das Debakel' 🧐
The word "Debakel" is a noun with the neuter article das. The genitive case is formed with "des Debakels".
Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | das | Debakel |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des | Debakels |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem | Debakel |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | das | Debakel |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Debakel |
| Genitive | der | Debakel |
| Dative | den | Debakeln |
| Accusative | die | Debakel |
Note: The plural "die Debakel" is rarely used.
Example Sentences
- Die Produkteinführung endete in einem finanziellen Debakel.
(The product launch ended in a financial debacle.) - Nach dem politischen Debakel trat der Minister zurück.
(After the political debacle, the minister resigned.) - Das Spiel war ein einziges Debakel für die Heimmannschaft.
(The game was a complete debacle for the home team.) - Wir müssen Lehren aus diesem Debakel ziehen.
(We must learn lessons from this debacle.) - Die Organisation des Festivals glich einem organisatorischen Debakel.
(The organization of the festival resembled an organizational debacle.)
When Do We Talk About a Debakel? 📉
The term "das Debakel" is used to describe a failure of large proportions. It's stronger than a simple Misserfolg (failure) or Fehler (mistake).
- Contexts: You'll often find the word in reports about politics (e.g., election defeats, failed negotiations), business (e.g., bankruptcies, failed projects), military affairs (lost battles), sports (surprisingly heavy defeats), or major organizational blunders.
- Tone: The word carries a strong negative connotation and often expresses disappointment, damage, or even ridicule.
- Comparison: While "Fiasko" is very similar, "Debakel" often emphasizes the aspect of collapse or disintegration following a failure. A "Katastrophe" (catastrophe) often has a stronger connection to natural events or accidents but can be used synonymously if the scale of failure is extreme. A "Reinfall" (flop) is usually less severe than a Debakel.
Memory Aids 🧠
Article Mnemonic: Think of 'dasaster' – das Debakel signifies a disaster, and like many abstract nouns describing events or outcomes in German (e.g., das Fiasko, das Drama), it's neuter (das).
Meaning Mnemonic: "Debakel" sounds very similar to the English word 'debacle', and they mean the same thing: a total mess-up, a complete failure!
Similar and Opposite Words ↔️
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Das Fiasko: (Fiasco) Very similar, often interchangeable.
- Die Pleite: (Bankruptcy, insolvency) Especially in a financial/business context.
- Der Reinfall: (Flop, letdown) Usually less severe than a Debakel.
- Die Katastrophe: (Catastrophe) Can be synonymous, but often stronger or related to accidents/nature.
- Die Niederlage: (Defeat) Especially in military or sports contexts.
- Der Zusammenbruch: (Collapse) Emphasizes the breakdown.
A Little Chuckle 😄
Warum nehmen Skelette nie an Debakeln teil?
Weil sie nicht den nötigen Schneid (oder die Nerven) dafür haben!
Why do skeletons never take part in debacles?
Because they don't have the guts for it!
Poem about the Word 📜
Der Plan war kühn, das Ziel so nah,
Doch alles stürzte, wunderbar?
Nein, schrecklich war's, man sah es gleich,
Ein jähes Ende, ohne Vergleich.
Die Hoffnung schwand, der Mut verging,
Das Debakel nun die Glocken schwingt.
Ein Scheitern groß, für alle klar,
So endet manche Saga, Jahr für Jahr.
(The plan was bold, the goal so near,
But all collapsed, was it quite clear?
No, terrible it was, plain to see,
A sudden end, no similarity.
Hope faded fast, courage did wane,
The debacle now rings out its bane.
A failure grand, for all was stark,
So ends many a saga, leaving its mark.)
Who or What am I? 🤔
Ich bin kein Sieg, kein froher Fund,
ich mache Pläne schnell zunicht und kund.
Bin ich geschehen, ist's oft zu spät,
ein großes Scheitern, schlecht beraten, schlecht gesät.
Man spricht von mir bei Pleite, Sturz und Fall.
Was bin ich, sag es schnell mit Schall?
(I am no victory, no happy find,
I quickly wreck plans of any kind.
When I have happened, it's often too late,
a major failure, ill-advised, sealed by fate.
They speak of me with bankruptcy, collapse, and fall.
What am I? Say it loud for all!)
Solution: Das Debakel (The Debacle)
Trivia & Origins 🤓
Etymology: The word "Debakel" was borrowed in the 19th century from the French word "débâcle". In French, it originally meant the breaking up of ice on a river (ice break-up), a sudden stampede, or indeed a military or financial collapse. This origin highlights the sense of suddenness and chaos associated with a Debakel.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Debakel?
The noun 'Debakel' is neuter, so the correct article is das (das Debakel). It translates to debacle, fiasco, or complete failure.