das  Heer

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/heːɐ̯/

🎖️ What does "das Heer" mean?

The German word das Heer primarily has two meanings:

• The land forces of a state: This is the most common meaning, often used synonymously with Armee (army), specifically referring to ground troops. Example: Das Deutsche Heer ist Teil der Bundeswehr. (The German Army is part of the Bundeswehr.)
• A large crowd, a host (often of people or animals): This meaning is somewhat more elevated or poetic. Example: Ein Heer von Ameisen zog über den Weg. (A host/army of ants crossed the path.) Ein Heer von Gläubigen versammelte sich. (A host of believers gathered.)

It is a noun of neuter gender, hence the article is das.

📐 Grammar of "das Heer" in Detail

Das Heer is a strong noun. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

• Das Heer marschierte in die Stadt ein. (The army marched into the city.)
• Die Stärke des Heeres war beeindruckend. (The strength of the army was impressive.)
• Er diente dem Heere viele Jahre. (He served the army for many years.)
• Der König führte sein Heer in die Schlacht. (The king led his army into battle.)
• Zwei feindliche Heere standen sich gegenüber. (Two enemy armies faced each other.)
• Die Versorgung der Heere war schwierig. (Supplying the armies was difficult.)
• Man lieferte Nachschub an die kämpfenden Heeren. (Supplies were delivered to the fighting armies.)
• Der Feldherr inspizierte die versammelten Heere. (The general inspected the assembled armies.)

💡 How to Use "das Heer"?

In a military context:

• Usually refers specifically to the land forces, as opposed to the Marine (navy) or Luftwaffe (air force).
• However, it can also refer more generally to a country's entire army, especially in historical contexts.
• Common in compound words like Heeresführung (army command), Heeresgruppe (army group), Berufsheer (professional army), Bundesheer (Austrian Federal Army).

In the figurative sense (large crowd):

• Used to describe a very large, often unmanageable number of something.
• Often sounds a bit more dramatic or vivid than Menge (crowd/amount) or Schar (throng/flock).
• Examples: Ein Heer von Touristen (a host of tourists), ein Heer von Problemen (a host of problems), ein Heer von Mücken (a swarm/host of mosquitoes).

Distinction: While Armee is often used synonymously, Heer sometimes emphasizes the land forces aspect more strongly or carries a more traditional/historical connotation.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Heer"

For the article (das): Imagine a neutral country (das neutrale Land) needs das Heer for defense. Or think: an army/host consists of many neutral 'things' (weapons, vehicles, people) – like many collective nouns, it's often das (like das Publikum - the audience, das Volk - the people).

For the meaning: Think of the sound: "Can you hear them?" - "Who?" - "Das Heer! The army/host is coming!" (You hear the army marching).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "das Heer"

⚠️ Similar, but different words:

• Herr (der): Masculine, means 'Mister' or 'Lord/Master'. Don't confuse!
• hehr: Adjective, means 'lofty', 'sublime', 'sacred'.
• Herd (der): Masculine, means 'stove' in the kitchen or a 'herd' of animals.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der General den neuen Rekruten: "Was ist Ihre größte Stärke?"
Rekrut: "Ich befolge Befehle aufs Wort, Herr General!"
General: "Sehr gut! Und Ihre größte Schwäche?"
Rekrut: "Ich stelle zu viele Fragen, bevor ich die Befehle befolge, Herr General!"

Translation:
The general asks the new recruit: "What is your greatest strength?"
Recruit: "I follow orders to the letter, General Sir!"
General: "Very good! And your greatest weakness?"
Recruit: "I ask too many questions before following the orders, General Sir!"

📜 Poem about "das Heer"

Das Heer

Das Heer marschiert im Gleichschritt fort,
ein starker, schützender Hort.
Mal sind's Soldaten, mutig, klar,
mal eine riesengroße Schar.
Von Ameisen, klein und geschwind,
ein Heer, das wuselt wie der Wind.
So klingt das Wort, mal ernst, mal dicht,
bringt Ordnung oder Chaos ans Licht.

Translation:
The army/host marches forth in step,
A strong, protective keep.
Sometimes soldiers, brave and clear,
Sometimes a giant crowd appears.
Of ants, so small and swift they seem,
A host that bustles like a stream.
The word sounds serious or dense,
Brings order or chaos, intense.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich bin eine große Gruppe, stark und breit,
manchmal zieh' ich in den Streit.
Ich kann aus Soldaten sein,
oder Mücken, winzig klein.
Mein Artikel ist neutral und klar,
wer bin ich? Ratet mal!

Translation:
I am a large group, strong and wide,
Sometimes into battle I stride.
I can be made of soldiers true,
Or mosquitoes, tiny, through and through.
My article is neutral and clear,
Who am I? Guess, my dear!

Solution: das Heer (the army/host)

🧐 More about "das Heer"

Etymology (Word Origin): The word "Heer" comes from the Old High German word "heri", which originally simply meant "war band" or "crowd/multitude". It is related to similar words in other Germanic languages (e.g., English "here" in old texts, Swedish "här").

Common Compound Words:

• Bundesheer: Official name for the armed forces of Austria.
• Heeresgruppe: A large military formation comprising several armies.
• Heerschau: A military parade or inspection of troops.
• Verheeren: A verb meaning to devastate or lay waste to something through war or violence (derived from 'Heer').