der  Appell

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/apˈpɛl/

🗣️ What does 'der Appell' mean?

Der Appell (noun, masculine) has several related meanings in German:

• Appeal / Call / Plea: An urgent request or plea directed at a person or group to do or refrain from doing something. Often carries moral or emotional weight. Example: Ein Appell an die Vernunft (An appeal to reason).
• Military Command / Signal / Roll Call: A signal (often acoustic, e.g., by trumpet) or a command to assemble, fall in, or check attendance (Zählappell - roll call).
• Legal Appeal (rare/specific): In legal language, it can (rarely and rather historically or in specific contexts like canon law) also mean a legal remedy, an appeal against a judgment (Appellation). Modern German law typically uses Berufung or Revision.

⚠️ The most common meanings in everyday use are the appeal/plea and the military roll call/signal.

📜 Grammar Deep Dive: Declining 'der Appell'

The noun "der Appell" is masculine. Here is its declension:

Singular

Plural

Example Sentences

1. Der Präsident richtete einen eindringlichen Appell an die Bevölkerung. (The president made an urgent appeal to the population. - Meaning: Appeal/Plea)
2. Die Wirkung des Appells war sofort spürbar. (The effect of the appeal was immediately noticeable. - Meaning: Appeal/Plea)
3. Wir folgen dem Appell zur Solidarität. (We follow the appeal for solidarity. - Meaning: Appeal/Plea)
4. Jeden Morgen hörten die Soldaten den Appell zum Antreten. (Every morning the soldiers heard the call to fall in. - Meaning: Military Signal/Roll Call)
5. Die wiederholten Appelle der Umweltschützer fanden Gehör. (The repeated appeals of the environmentalists were heard. - Meaning: Appeals/Pleas)

🎯 When and How to Use 'der Appell'

Contexts for "der Appell":

• Moral or ethical calls: Often used in speeches, articles, or campaigns to appeal to conscience or a sense of responsibility. E.g., ein Appell für Frieden (an appeal for peace), ein Appell zur Nächstenliebe (an appeal to charity/love thy neighbor).
• Urgent pleas: When a situation requires quick action. E.g., ein letzter Appell vor Ablauf der Frist (a final appeal before the deadline).
• Military / Organizations: In a military context for assembly or attendance checks (Zählappell - roll call). Also conceivable in similar hierarchical organizations (e.g., scouts).
• Politics: Politicians use Appelle to gain support for initiatives or call for action.

Distinction from similar words:

• Bitte (Request): Often less formal and less urgent than an Appell.
• Aufforderung (Demand/Request): Can be more neutral or commanding than an Appell, which often targets emotions or morals.
• Mahnung (Warning/Reminder): Emphasizes a warning or reminder of a duty.

The term "Appell" often carries a certain solemnity or urgency.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Appell'

Article Mnemonic (der)

Imagine a strong general – the general (masculine 'der' in German relates often to male roles) – shouting a loud Appell (call/roll call). The call is masculine and commanding, like the article der.

Meaning Mnemonic

Appell sounds very similar to the English word "appeal". An appeal can be a plea or request, or something that calls to you (like an attractive quality). It also sounds a bit like 'a bell', which is used to call people or get attention. Both relate to the German meanings: a call (military) or an appeal/plea (moral).

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms for 'der Appell'

🚨 Be cautious with Appellation: Although related, in modern German, this specifically refers to the legal remedy of appeal and is rarely used synonymously with 'Appell' in the sense of a call or plea.

😂 A Little Joke about 'der Appell'

German: Fragt der General den neuen Rekruten beim Appell: "Name?" Rekrut: "Schmidt, Herr General!" General: "Alter?" Rekrut: "Nein, Herr General, nicht Alter. Schmidt!"

English Translation: The general asks the new recruit during roll call: "Name?" Recruit: "Schmidt, Sir!" General: "Alter?" (Alter means 'age' but sounds like 'Alter', a common informal address or surname) Recruit: "No, Sir, not Alter. Schmidt!"

🎤 A Poem about 'der Appell'

German:
Der Hauptmann ruft, es klingt so hell,
zum morgendlichen Zählappell.
Die Truppe steht, ganz schnell, ganz schnell,
bereit auf seinen Ruf, den Appell.

Doch auch im Leben, leis' und grell,
hört man manch dringenden Appell:
Für Frieden, Freundschaft, aktuell,
ein Ruf ans Herz, ein Appell.

English Translation:
The captain calls, it sounds so bright,
for morning roll call, day's first light.
The troop stands fast, with all their might,
ready for his call, the Appell's might.

But also in life, soft or stark,
one hears many an urgent mark:
For peace, for friendship, in the dark,
a call to the heart, an Appell's spark.

❓ Riddle Time: What is 'der Appell'?

German:
Ich bin ein Ruf, mal laut, mal leise,
im Militär auf meine Weise.
Ich kann auch eine Bitte sein,
richt' mich an Groß und auch an Klein.
Moralisch oft, mit ernstem Ton,
man folgt mir oder ignoriert mich schon.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I am a call, sometimes loud, sometimes low,
in the military, in my own way, you know.
I can also be a plea or request,
addressed to big and small, put to the test.
Often moral, with a serious tone,
you follow me, or leave me alone.

What am I?

Solution: Der Appell

🧐 More Trivia about 'der Appell'

• Etymology: The word "Appell" comes from the French word "appel", meaning "call" or "summons". It traces back to the Latin verb "appellare" (to call upon, to name, to address).
• Word Compounds: There are several interesting compounds:
  • Zählappell: (Roll call) The appeal for checking attendance.
  • Moralappell: (Moral appeal) An appeal directed at morality or conscience.
  • Weckappell: (Reveille) The signal to wake up (military).
  • Schlussappell: (Final appeal/call) A concluding call or summary.