der  Flügel

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈflyːɡl̩/

🦋 What does "der Flügel" actually mean?

The word der Flügel is a masculine noun with several meanings:

• Animals & Aviation: The body part birds or insects use to fly, or a wing of an airplane. 🦅✈️ (der Flügel des Vogels, der Flugzeugflügel)
• Music: A grand piano. 🎹 (der Konzertflügel)
• Architecture: A side extension or part of a building. 🏛️ (der Gebäudeflügel, der Seitenflügel)
• Politics: A faction or group within a party or organization. 👥 (der linke/rechte Flügel)
• Technology: A rotating blade, e.g., on a fan or windmill. 💨 (der Ventilatorflügel)
• Other: A movable part of a door or window. 🚪 (der Türflügel, der Fensterflügel)

🚨 Attention: The meaning is usually clear from the context.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Flügel

"Flügel" is a masculine noun. The article is der.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences

1. Der Vogel breitete seine Flügel aus.
   (The bird spread its wings.)
2. Der Pianist spielte auf einem schwarzen Flügel.
   (The pianist played on a black grand piano.)
3. Wir wohnten im linken Flügel des Schlosses.
   (We lived in the left wing of the castle.)
4. Der rechte Flügel der Partei stimmte dagegen.
   (The right wing of the party voted against it.)
5. Ein Flügel des Ventilators war abgebrochen.
   (A blade of the fan was broken.)
6. Bitte schließe den rechten Flügel des Fensters.
   (Please close the right leaf of the window.)

💡 How to use "der Flügel"?

The usage of der Flügel heavily depends on its specific meaning:

• In the biological and technical sense (bird, plane, fan), the meaning is usually straightforward.
• In a musical context, der Flügel almost always refers to the grand piano (Konzertflügel). An upright piano is called Klavier or Piano.
• In architecture, one speaks of Gebäudeflügel (building wings) to denote sections or parts of a larger complex (e.g., Westflügel, Seitenflügel).
• In politics, Flügel describes a specific ideological current within a group (e.g., der liberale Flügel, der konservative Flügel).
• Double doors or windows also have Flügel (leaves).

Confusion is rare as the context usually clarifies the intended meaning.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Flügel"

Article Mnemonic: Think of der Vogel (the bird, masculine) flying with der Flügel. Or der grand piano (der Flügel) is a big, strong, 'male' instrument. The masculine article 'der' fits the idea of power (flight) or size (instrument).

Meaning Mnemonic: A Flügel is always something that spreads out or branches off from a central point: be it on a bird's body, an airplane fuselage, the body of a piano, a building, or a door/window frame. Think 'fling outwards' for Flügel.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Flügel

⚠️ Similar but Different Words:

• Flügelchen (Diminutive): Little wing.
• Beflügelt (Adjective/Participle): Inspired, energized.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum spielen Skelette keinen Flügel?

Weil sie keine Organe haben!

(Why don't skeletons play the grand piano (Flügel)? Because they have no organs! - This is a pun, as 'Organe' means 'organs' (body parts), but sounds like 'Orgel' which means 'organ' (the musical instrument), often found alongside grand pianos in concert halls.)

📜 Poem about the Flügel

Der Flügel, stolz und breit gespannt,
Trägt Vögel hoch ins Himmelsland.
Am Piano klingt sein voller Ton,
Im Schloss ein Teil, bekannt ja schon.
Ein Wort, so vielseitig und klar,
Ob Luft, Musik, ob Bau – wunderbar!

Translation:

The wing (Flügel), proud and broadly spanned,
Carries birds high to heaven's land.
On the piano, its full tone sounds,
In the castle a part, already renowned.
A word, so versatile and clear,
Be it air, music, or building – oh dear! (wonderful!)

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich habe Tasten, doch kein Schloss,
Ich habe Saiten, doch kein Ross.
Man spielt auf mir bei Tag und Nacht,
Hab eine Form, die Größe macht.

Was bin ich?

Translation:

I have keys, but no lock,
I have strings, but no horse (Ross - rhymes with Schloss).
People play on me day and night,
I have a shape that gives me might (size).

What am I?
(Solution: Der Flügel [grand piano])

More about Flügel

Word Formation & Origin

The word "Flügel" comes from the Old High German "flugil", which is related to "fliegen" (to fly). The original meaning referred to the flying organ of birds.

Idioms (Redewendungen)

• Jemandem Flügel verleihen: Literally 'to lend someone wings', meaning to inspire, energize, or encourage someone.
• Sich die Flügel verbrennen: Literally 'to burn one's wings', meaning to dare too much and fail (similar to Icarus).
• Unter seine Fittiche/Flügel nehmen: Literally 'to take under one's pinions/wings', meaning to protect someone, to take someone under one's wing. (Fittich is an archaic word for wing).