das  Idol

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/iˈdoːl/

🌟 What does "das Idol" mean?

The German word das Idol has two main meanings:

• Role model, admired person: Someone, often a celebrity (e.g., from sports, music, film), who is greatly admired and imitated by others, especially young people. Example: Viele junge Fußballer sehen Lionel Messi als ihr Idol. (Many young footballers see Lionel Messi as their idol.)
• False god, graven image: A figure or image worshipped as a deity, especially in the context of religions that reject the worship of such images (often used pejoratively). Example: Die zehn Gebote verbieten die Anbetung von Idolen. (The Ten Commandments forbid the worship of idols.)

⚠️ Attention: Although both meanings exist, modern usage mostly refers to the first meaning (role model).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: das Idol

The noun "Idol" is neuter, taking the article das. It is declined as follows:

Declension (Singular)

Declension (Plural)

📝 Example Sentences

1. Als Kind war mein größtes Idol ein berühmter Astronaut. (As a child, my biggest idol was a famous astronaut.) - Meaning: Role model
2. Die Archäologen fanden alte Idole in der Ausgrabungsstätte. (The archaeologists found old idols at the excavation site.) - Meaning: Graven images
3. Sie verehrt ihr Pop-Idol und sammelt alle Poster. (She adores her pop idol and collects all the posters.) - Meaning: Role model
4. In manchen Kulturen wurden Idole aus Stein oder Holz geschnitzt. (In some cultures, idols were carved from stone or wood.) - Meaning: Graven images

🗣️ How to use "das Idol"?

"Das Idol" is mainly used in two contexts:

• Pop culture & everyday life: Here, it refers to admired personalities. People talk about Musikidole (music idols), Sportidole (sports idols), Teenie-Idole (teen idols), etc. It carries a positive connotation of admiration and inspiration. Example: "Er ist das Idol einer ganzen Generation." (He is the idol of an entire generation.)
• Religion & history: Here, it refers to graven images or false gods and often has a negative or critical connotation, especially from a monotheistic perspective. Example: "Der Prophet warnte vor der Anbetung von Idolen." (The prophet warned against the worship of idols.)

Difference from "Vorbild" (role model): While "Idol" often implies strong, sometimes almost cult-like adoration (especially for stars), "Vorbild" is more neutral and generally refers to someone whose behavior or achievements are considered worthy of imitation. A teacher can be a Vorbild, but rarely an Idol in the modern sense.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Idol"

Article Mnemonic

Imagine DAShboard of a car has a picture of DAS Idol stuck to it. It's neutral, just DAS picture, DAS Idol.

Meaning Mnemonic

An Idol can be an Image you DOLl up your room with (like a poster of a star), or an old Image people bowed DOLl-like before (a graven image).

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms for das Idol

Similar but different words:

• Ideal (das): An idea of perfection; not necessarily a person.
• Ikone (die): Can be an idol, but also a symbol or a holy image (in the Eastern Church).

😄 A Little Joke

Lehrer: "Wer war dein Idol, als du klein warst, Fritzchen?"
Fritzchen: "Mein Papa!"
Lehrer: "Und warum?"
Fritzchen: "Weil er der Einzige war, der Mamas Kochkünste überlebt hat!"

Translation:
Teacher: "Who was your idol when you were little, Fritzchen?"
Fritzchen: "My Dad!"
Teacher: "And why?"
Fritzchen: "Because he was the only one who survived Mom's cooking!"

(Here 'Idol' plays more on the idea of a 'hero'.)

📜 Poem about an Idol

Auf Postern an der Jugendwand,
Ein Lächeln, ausgestreckte Hand.
Das Idol, so fern, so nah,
Ein Stern, der leuchtet, wunderbar.

Man eifert nach, man träumt, man hofft,
Vergisst die Welt drumherum oft.
Doch Vorsicht, Glanz kann manchmal trügen,
Nicht alle Idole Wahrheit lügen.

Translation:
On posters on the youthful wall,
A smile, an outstretched hand for all.
The idol, so far, yet so near,
A star that shines, wonderfully clear.

One emulates, one dreams, one hopes,
Forgetting the world beyond the ropes.
But beware, glamour can sometimes deceive,
Not all idols tell truths you believe.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich kann ein Star im Rampenlicht sein,
Oder ein Bild aus Holz und Stein.
Manch einer will so sein wie ich,
Ein anderer verachtet mich.

Was bin ich?
(Lösung/Solution: das Idol)

Translation:
I can be a star in the spotlight's gleam,
Or an image of wood or stone, it may seem.
Some want to be just like me,
While others despise what they see.

What am I?
(Solution: the idol / das Idol)

💡 More Information

Etymology: The word "Idol" comes from the Greek word εἴδωλον (eídōlon), meaning "image," "likeness," or "phantom." It entered German via the Latin word idolum ("idol," "image worshipped as a god").

Modern Usage: The term "Idol" today is heavily influenced by casting shows like "Deutschland sucht den Superstar" (part of the Pop Idol franchise), which has further reinforced its meaning as an "admired star".