das  Militär

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/miliˈtɛːɐ̯/

🛡️ What does "das Militär" mean?

Das Militär (neuter, genitive: des Militärs, no standard plural) refers to the entirety of the armed forces (Streitkräfte) of a state or a comparable political entity.

It encompasses all persons, organizations, and institutions responsible for military defense, warfare, or maintaining order through armed force. It is a collective noun (Sammelbegriff).

• Meaning: The armed forces of a country (Heer - army, Marine - navy, Luftwaffe - air force, etc.).

🚨 Sometimes the plural "die Militärs" is used colloquially to refer to the armed forces of different countries, but this is relatively rare and context-dependent.

🧐 Grammar of "das Militär" in Detail

The word "Militär" is a noun and takes the neuter article "das". It is mostly used in the singular because it's a collective noun.

Declension Singular

Note on the Plural

A standard plural form ("die Militäre") does not exist. As mentioned above, "die Militärs" can be used informally for the armed forces of multiple nations, but it's not standard grammar.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Das Militär schützt die Grenzen des Landes.
   (The military protects the country's borders.)
2. Er trat nach der Schule dem Militär bei.
   (He joined the military after school.)
3. Die Ausgaben für das Militär wurden erhöht.
   (Spending on the military was increased.)
4. Die Rolle des Militärs in der Gesellschaft wird oft diskutiert.
   (The role of the military in society is often discussed.)

🌍 When and how to use "das Militär"?

"Das Militär" is used when speaking generally about the armed forces of a state, without referring to specific branches (like Heer - army, Marine - navy).

• Context: Politics, news, history, discussions about defense and security.
• Distinction:
  • Die Armee: Often refers more specifically to the army (land forces), or sometimes synonymously with Militär, but Militär is the broader term.
  • Die Streitkräfte: Is a very close synonym for "das Militär" and is often used interchangeably. (Literally: armed forces)
  • Die Bundeswehr: The specific name for the military of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• Usage: You might talk about the "deutsche Militär" (German military), "amerikanische Militär" (American military), or generally about "dem Militär" as an institution.

💡 Mnemonics for "das Militär"

1. For the article 'das': Think of "das Militär" as a neutral, overarching organization, a kind of system. Systems and abstract concepts in German are often neuter (das System, das Konzept -> das Militär). Or: Imagine a child (das Kind) playing with toy soldiers – it's playing "das Militär".
2. For the meaning: The word "Militär" sounds very similar to the English "military", which directly suggests its meaning (armed forces).

Remember: Das neutral system (das Militär) provides security. (Sys-Se -> Neuter 'das')

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Related Terms:

• Militärisch (adjective): Military (related to the military).
• Der Soldat / Die Soldatin: (Soldier - male / female) - Member of the military.
• Die Kaserne: (Barracks) - Accommodation for soldiers.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Soldaten immer einen Block und Stift mit in den Krieg?

Damit sie ihre Angriffe planen können! 😉

(Why do soldiers always take a notepad and pen into war? So they can draw their attacks! [Note: 'planen' means 'to plan', but sounds like 'plane' as in drawing/plane geometry in this context, also 'Angriff' means attack/assault])

📜 Poem about the Military

In Uniform, bei Tag und Nacht,
steht bereit die Wacht.
Das Militär, mit strengem Blick,
schützt das Land, Stück für Stück.
Ob zu Wasser, Land, ob in der Luft,
folgt es dem Befehl, dem Ruf.
Ein starker Arm, manchmal umstritten,
in alten und in neuen Zeiten.

(In uniform, by day and night,
the guard stands ready, holding tight.
The military, with a stern gaze,
protects the land, through all its days.
Whether on water, land, or in the air,
it follows orders, the call to bear.
A strong arm, sometimes controversial,
in old times and new, universal.)

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich habe Waffen, aber schieße nicht selbst.
Ich habe Ränge, aber bin kein Berg.
Ich trage Uniformen, aber bin kein einzelner Mensch.
Ich diene dem Staat, in Frieden und Ernst.

Wer oder was bin ich?

(I have weapons, but don't shoot myself.
I have ranks, but am not a mountain.
I wear uniforms, but am not a single person.
I serve the state, in peace and seriousness.

Who or what am I?)

Solution: Das Militär (The Military)

✨ Other Interesting Facts

• Etymology: The word "Militär" comes from the French militaire, which in turn derives from the Latin word militaris, meaning “warlike” or “belonging to military service” (from miles = soldier).
• Collective Noun: Like Polizei (police) or Regierung (government), "Militär" is a collective noun representing a large, organized group of people and institutions.
• International: Almost every sovereign state maintains some form of military to defend its interests and borders.