das  Visier

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/viˈziːɐ̯/

🎯 What exactly is a Visier?

The German word das Visier primarily has two meanings:

1. Aiming device (sight): A device on firearms, cameras, or other optical instruments used for aiming at a target. You look through or over it to aim. Often consists of Kimme und Korn (rear and front sights).
2. Helmet protection (visor): The movable, often transparent part of a helmet that protects the face (especially the eyes). Found on motorcycle helmets, knight's armor, or protective helmets.

It is a noun of neuter gender (Neutrum).

🧐 Grammar of "das Visier"

The word "Visier" is a neuter noun (Neutrum). Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

• Meaning 1 (Sight): Der Schütze blickte konzentriert durch das Visier seines Gewehrs. (The shooter looked intently through the sight of his rifle.)
• Meaning 1 (Sight): Die Kamera hat ein digitales Visier. (The camera has a digital viewfinder/sight.)
• Meaning 2 (Visor): Der Motorradfahrer klappte das Visier seines Helms herunter. (The motorcyclist flipped down the visor of his helmet.)
• Meaning 2 (Visor): Das Visier des Ritters war reich verziert. (The knight's visor was richly decorated.)

💡 How is "Visier" used?

Usage depends heavily on the meaning:

• As an aiming device (sight): People often talk about etwas 'ins Visier nehmen', which can mean literally (to aim) or figuratively (to target someone/something for observation, pursuit, criticism). Context: shooting sports, hunting, military, photography, surveillance.
• As helmet protection (visor): This refers to physical protection. One 'klappt das Visier hoch/runter' (flips the visor up/down). Context: motorcycling, fencing, ice hockey, historical armor, work safety.

Potential Confusion: The verb visieren means 'to aim' or 'to authenticate/check' (e.g., a visa). The noun is das Visier.

The phrase 'jemanden/etwas im Visier haben' means to have someone or something in one's sights, indicating close observation or targeting.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Visier"

Article Mnemonic: Think of 'das Ziel' (the target) or 'das Gesicht' (the face). Both are neuter words in German. The Visier helps you hit das Ziel or protects das Gesicht. This helps remember das Visier.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you visierst (aim) through the Visier (sight) of your rifle, while your friend lowers his helmet's Visier (visor). The verb sounds like the noun and connects both meanings through seeing/protecting.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar Words

• Visum (das): A visa in a passport. Nothing to do with sights or helmets, but shares the same Latin root (videre = to see).
• visieren (verb): to aim, to check, to authenticate.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum tragen Skelette keinen Helm mit Visier?
... Weil sie nichts mehr im Kopf haben, was sie schützen müssten – und keine Augen, um durchzublicken!

(Why don't skeletons wear helmets with visors?
... Because they have nothing left in their heads to protect – and no eyes to look through!)

📜 Poem about the Visier

Das Visier, ein klares Schild,
Vor Staub und Wind, im off'nen Wild.
Der Ritter trug's aus Eisen schwer,
Der Schütze zielt, trifft zielsicher.

Ob Helm, ob Waffe, klar der Blick,
Das Visier führt zum Glücksstück.
Ein Schutz, ein Ziel, so dient es gut,
Verleiht dem Träger Mut.

(The visor, a clear shield,
Against dust and wind, in the open wild.
The knight wore it, of iron heavy,
The shooter aims, hits true and steady.

Be it helmet or weapon, clear the view,
The visor leads to fortune's breakthrough.
A protection, a target, it serves well,
Gives courage to the wearer, breaks the spell.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich helfe dir, genau zu sehen,
Oder lass dich sicher stehen.
Mal schütz ich dich vor Wind und Nass,
Mal führ ich dich zum sich'ren Schuss, wer bin ich, mit Artikel 'das'?

(I help you to see precisely,
Or let you stand safely.
Sometimes I protect you from wind and wet,
Sometimes I guide you to a sure shot, who am I, with the article 'das'?)

Solution: das Visier

✨ Other Information

Etymology: The word "Visier" comes from the French word visière, which in turn derives from the Old French vis ('face'). So, originally, it referred to the part of the armor covering the face.

Interesting Note: In a figurative sense, one can also Personen, Unternehmen oder Probleme 'ins Visier nehmen' (target people, companies, or problems), meaning to make them the subject of investigations, criticism, or actions.