der  Eid

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/aɪ̯t/

📜 What does 'der Eid' mean?

Der Eid (plural: die Eide) means an oath or a solemn vow. It's a formal declaration or promise, often affirmed invoking a divine witness (like God) or before an authority (like a court or head of state), to tell the truth or fulfill a pledge. An Eid typically carries a very formal and binding character.

Examples of contexts:

• Court trials (Zeugeneid - witness oath)
• Inaugurations (Amtseid - oath of office)
• Medicine (Hippokratischer Eid - Hippocratic Oath)
• Military (Fahneneid - oath of allegiance)

⚠️ Breaking an oath (der Eidbruch - oath breaking, or der Meineid - perjury, if lying under oath in court) can have serious legal or social consequences.

🧐 Grammar of 'der Eid' in Detail

The noun 'Eid' is masculine. Here is its declension:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Zeuge musste vor Gericht einen Eid schwören. (The witness had to swear an oath in court.)
2. Der Präsident legte seinen Amtseid ab. (The president took his oath of office.)
3. Sie leistete den Eid auf die Verfassung. (She took the oath on the constitution.)
4. Ein Eid ist eine ernste Angelegenheit. (An oath is a serious matter.)
5. Die alten Ritter waren durch Eide an ihren Herrn gebunden. (The old knights were bound to their lord by oaths.)

🗣️ How to use 'der Eid'?

The term 'Eid' is primarily used in formal, official, or historical contexts. In everyday conversation, people are more likely to talk about a Versprechen (promise) or a Verpflichtung (commitment).

• Typical Verbs: einen Eid leisten (to take an oath), einen Eid ablegen (to swear an oath), einen Eid schwören (to swear an oath), einen Eid brechen (to break an oath).
• Context: Law (court, notary), politics (inauguration), military, medicine (historical/ethical), sometimes in solemn private ceremonies (rare) or in literature/film with historical or fantasy settings.
• Distinction from similar words:
  • Das Versprechen: More informal, lacks the same level of legal or religious binding.
  • Der Schwur: Similar to Eid, often used synonymously, sometimes slightly less formal or more emotionally charged.
  • Das Gelöbnis/Gelübde: Often in a religious or military context, a solemn pledge or vow (e.g., Keuschheitsgelübde - vow of chastity).

You also find 'Eid' in many compound words: Amtseid (oath of office), Fahneneid (oath of allegiance), Hippokratischer Eid (Hippocratic Oath), Meineid (perjury), Zeugeneid (witness oath), Eidgenosse (historically 'confederate by oath', used for Swiss citizens).

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

For the article 'der': Think of DER judge (der Richter) before whom you might swear an Eid. Or: A strong promise needs a strong article – DER Eid.

For the meaning: Imagine someone solemnly raising their hand and saying, "I swear!" The 'ear' sound might remind you of 'Eid', linking it to the serious act of swearing an oath.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words (Potential Confusion):

• Die Eidechse: (Lizard) Completely different meaning!

😂 A Little Joke

Richter zum Zeugen: "Schwören Sie, die Wahrheit zu sagen, die ganze Wahrheit und nichts als die Wahrheit?" Zeuge: "Klar, Chef! Aber bei den ganzen Einschränkungen wird's halt 'ne ziemlich kurze Aussage..." 😉

Judge to the witness: "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"
Witness: "Sure thing, boss! But with all those restrictions, it's gonna be a pretty short testimony..." 😉

✍️ Poem about the Oath

Ein Wort gesprochen, schwer und klar,
Der Eid, der bindet, Jahr für Jahr.
Vor Gott, Gesetz, Gemeinschaft rein,
soll Wahrheit stets Begleiter sein.
Gegeben fest, mit Herz und Hand,
ein starkes, unzertrennlich Band.

A word spoken, heavy and clear,
The oath, that binds, year after year.
Before God, law, community pure,
may truth always be its companion sure.
Given firmly, with heart and hand,
a strong, inseparable band.

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Wort, doch wiege schwer,
Man leistet mich vor Gericht, dem Herrn, dem Heer.
Ich fordre Wahrheit, Treue pur,
Brech ich ihn, droht harte Zensur.

Was bin ich?

I am a word, but carry weight,
Sworn in court, to lord, to state.
I demand truth, loyalty pure,
Break me, and face censure severe.

What am I?

Solution: Der Eid (The Oath)

ℹ️ Other Information

Word Compounds (Examples):

• Amtseid: Oath of office.
• Fahneneid: Oath of allegiance (to the flag/nation).
• Meineid: Perjury (false testimony under oath).
• Eidgenosse: Historically, an ally bound by oath (confederate). Today often used for Swiss citizens (from Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft - Swiss Confederation).

Etymology: The word 'Eid' comes from the Old High German word 'eid', which already had a similar meaning (oath, solemn affirmation). It has Indo-European roots possibly related to 'to go' or 'to enter into an obligation'.