das  Korps

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/kɔʁps/

🧐 What does "das Korps" mean?

Das Korps (neuter gender, pronunciation: [koːɐ̯]) is a German noun with several meanings, mostly referring to an organized group of people:

• Military unit: A large military formation consisting of several divisions (e.g., das Armeekorps - army corps).
• Student fraternity: A specific type of traditional, often fencing student fraternity (e.g., das Corps - often spelled this way too).
• Professional group/Organization: A body of persons in the same function or service (e.g., das diplomatische Korps - diplomatic corps, das Offizierskorps - officer corps, das Lehrerkorps - teaching staff).

🚨 Important: The 'p' and 's' at the end of the word are silent in the singular ([koːɐ̯]). However, in the plural, the 's' becomes audible ([koːɐ̯s]).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar of "das Korps" in Detail

The noun "Korps" is neuter and has a peculiarity: the plural form is identical to the singular form in writing, but differs in pronunciation.

Example Sentences

• Das gesamte Korps trat zur Parade an.
  (The entire corps assembled for the parade. - singular, military)
• Er trat einem studentischen Korps bei.
  (He joined a student corps. - singular, student fraternity)
• Das diplomatische Korps traf sich zum Empfang.
  (The diplomatic corps met for the reception. - singular, professional group)
• Die Armee bestand aus mehreren Korps.
  (The army consisted of several corps. - plural, military - pronounced [koːɐ̯s])

🗣️ How is "das Korps" used?

"Korps" is mainly used in formal or specific contexts:

• Military: Very common for designating large troop formations (Armeekorps, Panzerkorps).
• Student life: Refers to a specific type of student fraternity (Corpsstudent - member of a 'Corps').
• Diplomacy/Administration: For groups of people in public service or with similar functions (diplomatisches Korps, Beamtenkorps - corps of civil servants).
• Figuratively: Less commonly used for other organized groups (e.g., Ballettkorps, although Ensemble is more common here).

⚠️ Risk of confusion: Don't confuse it with "der Körper" (the physical body), even though "Korps" originates from the French word for body ("corps").

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Korps"

• Article Mnemonic: Think of a corps as an it (neuter 'das') - an organized it, a system. Das Korps is neutral and organized. 'Das' often goes with concepts or organized entities.

• Meaning Mnemonic: A Korps is like a large "body" (corps in French) of people belonging together (soldiers, diplomats, students). The silent 'ps' might remind you it's a special, collective 'body'.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but misleading words:

• Der Körper: Refers to the physical body of a person or animal.
• Der Kurs: Means course (like a class), direction, or exchange rate.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der General den neuen Rekruten: "Was ist der Unterschied zwischen einem Armeekorps und einem Hühnerstall?"
Rekrut: "Keine Ahnung, Herr General!"
General: "Na, im Hühnerstall gibt es wenigstens einen Hahn im Korb!"

English Translation: The general asks the new recruit: "What's the difference between an army corps (Armeekorps) and a chicken coop?"
Recruit: "No idea, sir!"
General: "Well, in the chicken coop, there's at least one rooster!"

(This is a pun on the German idiom "Hahn im Korb sein", literally "to be the rooster in the basket", meaning to be the only man among many women. Here it humorously contrasts the military structure with the idiom.)

📜 Poem about the Korps

German:
Ob im Feld in Reih und Glied,
Ob als Student, der Farben sieht,
Ob Diplomat in feinem Zwirn,
Das Korps eint manchen klugen Hirn.

Gemeinschaft, Ordnung, festes Band,
So zieht es durch das ganze Land.
Einheitlich, stark und oft formell,
Das Korps agiert meist blitzesschnell.

English Translation:
Whether in the field in rank and file,
Or as a student seeing colors bright,
Or diplomat in finest style,
The Korps unites many a clever wight.

Community, order, a firm tie,
Thus it moves throughout the land.
Uniform, strong, and often formal,
The Korps mostly acts swift on command.

❓ A Little Riddle

German:
Ich bin ein Körper, doch nicht aus Fleisch und Blut.
Ich marschiere im Gleichschritt oder trage einen Hut.
Manchmal fechte ich, manchmal verhandle ich klug.
Mein Plural klingt anders, obwohl er gleich aussieht - genug?

Wer bin ich?

English Translation:
I am a body, but not of flesh and blood.
I march in step or wear a hat for good.
Sometimes I fence, sometimes I negotiate shrewd.
My plural sounds different, though looks the same - understood?

Who am I?

Solution: Das Korps (The Corps)

💡 Other Information

Word Origin: The word "Korps" comes from the French word corps, which means "body". This reflects the idea that a Korps is a kind of "body" or organized entity.

Spelling: Especially with student fraternities, you often find the original French spelling Corps, which is also used with the article "das" (das Corps).

Famous Korps: Examples include the Deutsches Afrikakorps in World War II, the Friedenskorps (Peace Corps), or the Diplomatisches Korps (Diplomatic Corps) in a capital city.