das  Solo

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈzoːlo/

🎤 What Exactly is a Solo?

The word das Solo (noun, neuter) comes from Italian (solo = alone) and has several meanings in German:

• Music & Stage: A piece of music, a part of it, or a performance (e.g., dance) executed by a single person. The focus here is on the individual performance. (e.g., das Gitarrensolo - guitar solo, das Gesangssolo - vocal solo, das Ballettsolo - ballet solo)
• Card Games (esp. Skat): A game in which one player competes alone against the other players.
• General (less common as a noun): Something one does or undertakes alone. Often, the adjective/adverb "solo" is used instead (e.g., Er ging solo ins Kino. - He went to the cinema solo.), but one could also say: Sein Alleingang war ein gewagtes Solo. (His go-it-alone approach was a daring solo.)

🚨 Attention: The noun das Solo is often confused with the adjective/adverb "solo", which means "alone" or "individually" (e.g., Sie tritt solo auf. - She performs solo).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Under the Microscope: Das Solo

The noun "Solo" is neuter (sächlich) and takes the article "das". It follows the strong declension pattern.

Declension Singular:

Declension Plural:

There are two common plural forms:

Note: The plural form "Soli" is particularly common in a musical context. "Solos" is often used more generally or colloquially.

Example Sentences 📝

1. Das Gitarrensolo in diesem Lied ist legendär. (The guitar solo in this song is legendary. - Music)
2. Die Tänzerin führte ein beeindruckendes Solo auf. (The dancer performed an impressive solo. - Stage)
3. Beim Skat spielt er gerne mal ein Solo. (He likes to play a solo in Skat sometimes. - Game)
4. Nach vielen Jahren im Ensemble startete sie ihr Solo. (After many years in the ensemble, she started her solo [career/project]. - Career/Project)
5. Die Zugabe bestand aus mehreren kurzen Soli verschiedener Instrumente. (The encore consisted of several short soli from different instruments. - Music - Plural 'Soli')
6. Er hat in seiner Karriere viele Solos gespielt. (He has played many solos in his career. - Music/General - Plural 'Solos')

When and How to Use 'das Solo'?

The use of das Solo heavily depends on the context:

• In musical or artistic fields, it's very common and refers to a solo performance. It highlights the virtuosity or expression of a single individual. (Klaviersolo - piano solo, Gesangssolo - vocal solo, Tanzsolo - dance solo)
• In the card game Skat, it is a fixed term for a specific game variation.
• In a more general sense, it's less common and often sounds somewhat metaphorical when not referring to art or games. One would more likely speak of an "Alleingang" (going it alone) or use the adverb "solo". (Instead of: Sein Projekt war ein Solo. - His project was a solo. Better: Er hat das Projekt solo durchgeführt. - He carried out the project solo. or Das Projekt war sein Alleingang. - The project was his go-it-alone effort.)

Comparison with similar words:

• Alleingang: Often emphasizes acting without consultation or support, sometimes with a negative connotation (acting unilaterally). Das Solo in a figurative sense can be more neutral.
• Einzelstück/Einzelauftritt (single piece/single appearance): Focuses more on the object or event itself, whereas das Solo often emphasizes the performance.
• Monolog (monologue): Specifically refers to a long speech by a single person, usually in theatre.

💡 Mnemonics for 'das Solo'

For the article 'das': Think of das spotlight. The light (das Licht - neuter) shines on the soloist performing das Solo. Or: Das highlight of the concert is often das Solo.

For the meaning: Solo sounds like 'so low'. Imagine someone standing all alone ('solo') 'so low' down on a large stage, playing their solo.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Risk of Confusion:

• solo (adjective/adverb): Means 'alone', 'individually'. (Er spielt solo. - He plays solo. vs. Er spielt ein Solo. - He plays a solo.)

😂 A Little Joke

Der Dirigent fragt den Schlagzeuger nach dem Konzert: "Sagen Sie mal, warum haben Sie während des Violinsolos eigentlich die ganze Zeit auf die Pauke gehauen?"
Antwortet der Schlagzeuger: "Ich habe die Solistin nur begleitet - sie hat doch so allein gewirkt!"

Translation:

After the concert, the conductor asks the timpanist: "Tell me, why were you banging on the timpani the whole time during the violin solo?"
The timpanist replies: "I was just accompanying the soloist - she looked so alone!"

🎼 A Short Poem

Das Licht geht an, die Menge lauscht,
Ein Ton erklingt, die Stille rauscht.
Das Solo hebt nun an, ganz zart,
Ein Künstler spielt auf seine Art.

Ob Saite, Stimme, Tastendruck,
Ein einzeln' Herz gibt uns das Stück.
Applaus brandt auf, wenn es vorbei,
Das Solo – Kunst, ganz einerlei.

Translation:

The light comes on, the crowd listens near,
A sound arises, silence clears.
The solo now begins, so slight,
An artist plays with all their might.

Be it string, or voice, or key's soft press,
A single heart gives this caress.
Applause erupts when it is done,
The solo – art, for everyone.

🤔 Who or What Am I?

Ich steh' im Licht, doch bin allein,
Bring' Kunst hervor, mal laut, mal fein.
Im Spiel entscheid' ich oft das Los,
Mal mit Musik, mal kartengroß.

Mal spiel' ich laut, mal bin ich leis,
Bin oft der Show erklärter Preis.
Man nennt mich einzeln, unbegleitet,
Hab' oft das Publikum geweitet.

Was bin ich?

... Das Solo

Translation:

I stand in the light, but I'm alone,
Bringing forth art, loudly or finely sown.
In games, I often decide the fate,
Sometimes with music, sometimes card-great.

Sometimes I play loud, sometimes I'm quiet,
Often the declared prize of the show's riot.
They call me single, unaccompanied,
I've often left the audience elated.

What am I?

... The Solo

More Tidbits 🤓

• Etymology: The word comes directly from the Italian word solo, meaning "alone" or "only". It entered German in the 17th/18th century via musical terminology.
• Word Formation: There are several compounds like Solopartie (solo part), Soloinstrument (solo instrument), Solotänzer (solo dancer), Solokünstler (solo artist), Soloflug (solo flight), Gitarrensolo (guitar solo), Klaviersolo (piano solo).
• Cultural Significance: The solo holds special importance in many art forms as it focuses on individual skill and expressiveness. It can be a moment of great tension or emotional depth.