das
Unentschieden
🎯 What exactly is 'das Unentschieden'?
The word das Unentschieden refers to a state or result where no decision has been reached. Most commonly, it's used in the context of *games*, *competitions*, or *votes* when no clear winner or loser can be determined because both sides achieved the same score or number of votes.
It's a *nominalized adjective* (formed from the adjective unentschieden = *undecided*). Therefore, it takes the neuter article *das*.
- Meaning: *draw*, *tie*, *stalemate* (especially in chess, where it's often called *Remis*).
🚨 Note: The word is almost exclusively used in the singular, as it describes a specific outcome.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Deverbal nouns → immer neutral.
These are nouns derived from verbs. They are also called Verbalsubstantive or Verbalnomen.
🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Das Unentschieden
'Unentschieden' is a noun (*Substantiv*) of the neuter gender (*Neutrum*). The correct article is das. It's typically only used in the singular.
Declension (Singular)
| Case (Kasus) | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | das Unentschieden | ein Unentschieden |
| Genitive (Whose?) | des Unentschiedens | eines Unentschiedens |
| Dative (To/For Whom?) | dem Unentschieden | einem Unentschieden |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | das Unentschieden | ein Unentschieden |
Example Sentences
- Das Fußballspiel endete mit einem Unentschieden (1:1).
(The football match ended in a draw (1:1).) - Nach langem Ringen gab es bei der Abstimmung ein Unentschieden.
(After a long struggle, the vote resulted in a tie.) - Ein Unentschieden ist besser als eine Niederlage.
(A draw is better than a defeat.) - Wir haben uns auf ein Unentschieden geeinigt.
(We agreed on a draw.)
💡 When to use 'das Unentschieden'?
The term das Unentschieden is firmly established in German usage, especially when talking about results:
- Sports: Very common in *Fußball* (soccer), *Handball*, *Eishockey* (ice hockey), etc., when both teams score the same number of goals. Example: "Das Spiel endete unentschieden." (*The game ended in a draw.*) or "Es gab ein Unentschieden." (*There was a draw.*)
- Games: In board or card games when players have the same score (e.g., chess: *Remis*).
- Votes/Elections: When two options or candidates receive the same number of votes.
- Metaphorically: Less commonly, used for situations where no clear decision can be made or a compromise is reached that favors no one.
It serves as the direct counterpart to der Sieg (*victory*) and die Niederlage (*defeat*).
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic (das):
Imagine a result that's *neutral* – neither win nor loss, just *THE* outcome in between. *THE* neutral result = DAS Unentschieden. The neuter gender (*das*) fits the neutral outcome.
Meaning Mnemonic (Draw/Tie):
Un-entschieden literally means "un-decided". When nothing is decided, it's a *draw* or *tie*. Think of scales ⚖️ perfectly balanced in the middle – *undecided*.
🔄 Synonyms, Antonyms & Similar Words
Synonyms (Words with similar meaning):
- das Remis: *Often used in chess and other games, very common synonym for draw.*
- das Patt: *Specifically in chess, a situation leading to a draw (stalemate); sometimes used more generally for a deadlock.*
- der Gleichstand: *Describes the state of having equal scores.*
- die Punkteteilung: *Lit. 'point splitting', common in sports when both sides get points.*
Antonyms (Opposite words):
- der Sieg: *victory*
- die Niederlage: *defeat*
- die Entscheidung: *decision, a result with a clear outcome.*
Similar but different terms:
- unentschlossen: *Refers to a person who cannot make a decision (indecisive character trait). Das Unentschieden refers to a result.*
- strittig / umstritten: *Means disputed or controversial, not necessarily a tie.*
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Trainer den neuen Spieler: "Was ist deine stärkste Position?"
Antwortet der Spieler: "Im Abseits, da stehe ich unentschieden zwischen den Verteidigern!"
(Coach asks the new player: "What's your strongest position?"
Player answers: "Offside, I stand undecided between the defenders!")
📜 Poem about a Tie
Zwei Tore hier, zwei Tore dort,
die Zeit verrinnt an diesem Ort.
Kein Sieger heut', kein Team, das fällt,
ein Unentschieden in der Welt.
Der Schiri pfeift, das Spiel ist aus,
mit einem Punkt geht's nun nach Haus.
(Two goals here, two goals there,
time runs out in this place's air.
No winner today, no team does fall,
a draw exists within the world for all.
The ref blows the whistle, the game is done,
with one point each, home they run.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin kein Sieg, ich bin kein Schmerz,
ich lasse offen manches Herz.
Im Sport oft bin ich das Resultat,
wenn keiner den Gewinn antrat.
Was bin ich?
(I am no victory, I am no pain,
I leave many a heart uncertain again.
In sports, I am often the result declared,
when no one the victory snared.
What am I?)
(Answer: das Unentschieden / a draw/tie)
🧩 Word Details: Das Unentschieden
Word Formation
The word Unentschieden is a *substantivized past participle* (Partizip II) of the verb entscheiden (*to decide*).
- Prefix "un-": *Expresses negation or reversal (not).*
- Stem "entschieden": *Past participle of* entscheiden (*decided*).
So, it literally means "the not-decided".
Cultural Note
In German culture, a *draw* (*Unentschieden*) is often viewed neutrally or even slightly positively (better than losing), especially in away games in football (an *Auswärtspunkt* - *away point*).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Unentschieden?
The correct article for Unentschieden is das. It signifies a result with no winner or loser, a draw or tie (e.g., in sports), and it is a neuter noun.