das  Derby

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈdɐrbi/

🏇 What exactly is a Derby?

The German word das Derby (neuter gender, article: das) primarily refers to two things:

• 🐴 A major horse race, often for three-year-old horses, usually held annually (e.g., das Deutsche Derby in Hamburg).
• ⚽ A sports competition (especially in football/soccer) between two rival teams from the same region or city. These matches are often characterized by particular tension and emotion (e.g., das Revierderby between Schalke 04 and Borussia Dortmund).

🚨 Attention: Although borrowed from English, the article in German is das.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📖 Grammar: Declining 'das Derby'

The noun "Derby" is neuter and is declined as follows:

💡 Example Sentences

1. Das wichtigste Pferderennen des Jahres ist das Deutsche Derby.
   (The most important horse race of the year is the German Derby.)
2. Die Fans freuen sich schon seit Wochen auf das Lokalderby.
   (The fans have been looking forward to the local derby for weeks.)
3. Die Atmosphäre bei solchen Derbys ist immer besonders aufgeladen.
   (The atmosphere at such derbies is always particularly charged.)
4. Der Sieger des Derbys wird groß gefeiert.
   (The winner of the derby is celebrated in a big way.)

🗣️ How 'das Derby' is used

The term das Derby is used almost exclusively in a sporting context.

• Pferderennen (Horse Racing): Here, it often refers to classic, prestigious races modelled after the Epsom Derby in England.
• Mannschaftssport (Team Sports, esp. Football/Soccer): Here, it describes the clash between local rivals. The significance lies in the special rivalry and geographical proximity of the clubs. Germans often also speak of Lokalderby (local derby), Stadtderby (city derby), or use specific names like Revierderby (Ruhr area derby), Nordderby (Northern derby), etc.

Compared to "Wettkampf" (competition) or "Spiel" (game/match), "Derby" emphasizes the special tension and tradition of the encounter.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: Think of 'das' like 'the S(porting event)'. Many German words for events are neuter (das Spiel, das Rennen, das Turnier) - including das Derby.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a horse race or football match – it's a Duel especially 'round back yards (nearby towns/stables) - that's a DERBY.

↔️ Opposites and Similar Terms: Das Derby

Similar Terms:

• Klassiker: Can also be a derby, but often simply refers to a traditional duel between two top teams, even if they are not from the same region (e.g., Bayern vs. Dortmund is often called the "German Klassiker").

😂 A little Derby Joke

Fragt der Sohn seinen Vater: "Papa, warum ist beim Derby die Stimmung immer so aufgeheizt?"
Antwortet der Vater: "Weil so viele Fans mitfiebern und hoffen, dass ihre Mannschaft den anderen ordentlich die Sporen gibt!" 🐴⚽

Translation:

A son asks his father: "Dad, why is the atmosphere at the derby always so heated?"
The father replies: "Because so many fans are on the edge of their seats, hoping their team really gives the others the spurs!" (A pun, as "die Sporen geben" means "to spur on" for horses, but figuratively means to urge someone on strongly).

📜 Poem about Derby Fever

Die Stadt hält den Atem an, heut' ist es soweit,
Das Derby ruft, zum Kampf bereit.
Zwei Farben, zwei Lager, ein Ziel, ein Schrei,
Wer holt den Sieg? Wer ist dabei?

Auf Rängen die Fahnen, die Kehlen sind heiß,
Für Ehre und Ruhm, um jeden Preis.
Ein Fußballfest, voll Leidenschaft pur,
Das ist das Derby, auf grüner Flur!

Translation:

The city holds its breath, today's the day,
The Derby calls, ready for the fray.
Two colours, two camps, one goal, one cry,
Who'll take the win? Who's standing by?

In stands the flags, the throats are hot,
For honour and glory, giving all they've got.
A football feast, with passion pure,
That is the Derby, on the green CURE (pitch/field)!

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Rennen oder ein Spiel,
Lokalrivalität ist oft mein Ziel.
Ob Pferde traben oder Bälle rollen,
Die Fans mich immer sehen wollen.

Mit 'das' steh ich im Wörterbuch,
Bring Spannung, Jubel oder Fluch.

Was bin ich?

Translation:

I am a race or a game,
Local rivalry is often my aim.
Whether horses trot or balls do roll,
The fans always want to see my goal (meaning: want to see me).

With 'das' I stand in the dictionary's page,
Bringing tension, cheers, or rage.

What am I?

Solution: das Derby

💡 More Tidbits

Word Origin: The name "Derby" originates from Edward Smith-Stanley, the 12th Earl of Derby. In 1780, he initiated a major horse race in England for three-year-old fillies (the "Oaks") and, the following year, one for three-year-old colts and fillies, which was then named "The Derby" after him. This name was later adopted for similar horse races and eventually for other sporting rivalry matches.

Compounds (Zusammensetzungen): The word often appears in compound nouns in German that specify the type of derby: Lokalderby (local derby), Stadtderby (city derby), Revierderby (Ruhr derby), Nordderby (Northern derby), Pferdederby (horse derby), Fußballderby (football derby), Derby-Sieg (derby win), Derby-Niederlage (derby loss), Derby-Stimmung (derby atmosphere).