der  Degen

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈdeːɡn̩/

🤺 What exactly is a Degen?

The German word Degen is a masculine noun (Maskulinum) and primarily refers to two things:

• A thrusting weapon: Originally a slender, pointed blade weapon, mainly used for thrusting, which evolved from the sword in the 16th/17th century (e.g., Rapier).
• A sports weapon in modern fencing: One of the three weapons in sport fencing (alongside the Florett/foil and Säbel/sabre), where the entire body is the target area. The sports Degen is purely a thrusting weapon (known as the épée in English).

Less common, rather dated and formal:

• An experienced, veteran man, often in a military context ('ein alter Degen' - an old hand/veteran).

⚠️ Attention: Don't confuse it with the more general term Schwert (sword), although the Degen is a type of sword.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: How is 'der Degen' declined?

The noun 'Degen' is masculine (der) and follows the strong declension pattern (usually no ending in dative singular, genitive singular ends in -(e)s).

📜 Example Sentences

1. Der Fechter prüfte die Spitze seines Degens. (The fencer checked the tip of his épée/rapier. - Genitive Singular)
2. Im Museum hingen alte Degen an der Wand. (Old rapiers/smallswords hung on the wall in the museum. - Nominative Plural)
3. Er parierte den Stoß mit seinem Degen. (He parried the thrust with his épée/rapier. - Dative Singular)
4. Sie bewunderte den kunstvoll verzierten Degen. (She admired the artfully decorated rapier. - Accusative Singular)
5. Er gilt als alter Degen in der Firma. (He is considered an old hand/veteran in the company. - Figurative, Nominative Singular)

💡 When to use 'Degen'?

The term Degen is mainly used in specific contexts:

• Sport Fencing: Here, 'Degen' (épée) refers to one of the three disciplines and its corresponding weapon. You talk about Degenfechten (épée fencing), Degenfechter*in (épée fencer), etc.
• Historical Context: When describing weapons from the Early Modern period, especially rapiers and similar thrusting weapons worn by nobles or soldiers.
• Literature and Film: Often in adventure stories or historical dramas (e.g., 'The Three Musketeers').
• Figurative Meaning (rare): To describe an experienced, respected older man, often with a military or professional background ('ein Haudegen' - a swashbuckler/veteran, 'ein alter Degen' - an old hand). However, this usage is rather formal or dated.

Distinction from other words:

• Schwert: A general term for sword. A Degen is a type of Schwert, but not every Schwert is a Degen (e.g., a broadsword is not).
• Florett: Foil, another lighter fencing weapon with different rules (only torso is target area).
• Säbel: Sabre, a cutting and thrusting weapon in fencing and historically a cavalry weapon.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Aid (der): Think of 'der'ring-do or a 'der'ing musketeer drawing his Degen. Masculine roles often use 'der'. Or: Think that a DEfenDER uses a Degen.

Meaning Aid (weapon): Imagine the DANGer of a pointed DEGEN. Or think of the DEEP GENeration of warriors who used it.

↔️ Opposites & Similar Terms

🚨 Risk of Confusion:

• Dolch: Dagger, a shorter stabbing weapon.
• Florett/Säbel: Foil/Sabre, other fencing weapons with different characteristics and rules.

😄 A Little Joke about the Degen

German: Warum nehmen Fechter ihren Degen nie mit zum Kartenspielen? – Weil sie Angst haben, dass jemand sticht!

English: Why do fencers never take their épées/rapiers to play cards? – Because they're afraid someone will trump! (The German word 'stechen' means both 'to thrust/stab' and 'to trump' in card games 😉)

✒️ A Poem about the Degen

German:
Der Degen blank, die Spitze scharf,
im Duell er Antwort warf.
Ein Stoß, ein Sprung, ein schneller Hieb,
was von dem Kampf am Ende blieb?

Im Sport nun fair, auf Planche blank,
die Trefferlampe leuchtet bang.
Der Fechter zielt, ein Punkt gezählt,
mit dem Degen, der die Wahl erhält.

English Translation:
The rapier/épée bright, its point so sharp,
in duels, it cast its answering mark.
A thrust, a leap, a swift attack,
what of the fight was left in track?

In sport now fair, on piste so clean,
the scoring light, an anxious gleam.
The fencer aims, a point is made,
with the épée, the choice obeyed.

❓ Who or What am I? A Riddle

German:
Ich habe eine Klinge, doch schneide nicht gern.
Ich diene dem Stoße, ob nah oder fern.
Im Sport bin ich einer von dreien,
mein Treffer kann den ganzen Körper einweihen.

Historisch war ich des Edelmanns Zier,
man trug mich zur Seite, glaub's mir.

Wer bin ich?

Auflösung: Der Degen

English Translation:
I have a blade, but dislike to cut.
I serve the thrust, no ifs or buts.
In sport, I am one of three,
my touch can score on the whole body.

Historically, I was a nobleman's pride,
they wore me faithfully at their side.

Who am I?

Solution: The Degen (épée/rapier)

✨ Other Interesting Facts

• Etymology: The word 'Degen' likely comes from the Old High German 'degan', which originally meant 'boy, warrior, hero'. The transfer of meaning to the weapon occurred later.
• Development: The historical Degen (rapier/smallsword) developed in the 16th century as a lighter, more elegant alternative to the heavy sword, suitable for civilian dress and dueling.
• Sport Fencing: Épée fencing (Degenfechten) is often considered the discipline closest to historical dueling because the entire body is the target area and there is no right-of-way rule (double touches are possible).