der  Frieden

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈfʁiːdn̩/

🕊️ What does "der Frieden" mean?

Der Frieden generally signifies a state of calm, harmony, and security. It appears in various contexts:

• Absence of war and conflict: This is the most common meaning, especially in political and social contexts. It describes the state between nations, groups, or individuals where no violent confrontations occur (e.g., Frieden schließen - to make peace).
• Inner peace: Describes a person's state of mental calm, serenity, and balance (e.g., seinen Frieden finden - to find one's peace).
• Public order and tranquility: Refers to harmonious coexistence within a society without disturbances (e.g., Störung des öffentlichen Friedens - disturbance of the public peace).

🚨 The word is almost exclusively used in the singular. The plural form "die Frieden" is very rare and mostly restricted to historical or poetic contexts (e.g., meaning 'peace treaties').

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar of "der Frieden" in Detail

The noun "Frieden" is masculine. Here is the declension in the singular:

⚠️ As mentioned, the plural (die Frieden, der Frieden, den Frieden, die Frieden) is very uncommon.

Example Sentences for Grammar

• Nominative: Der Frieden ist ein hohes Gut. (Peace is a precious commodity.)
• Genitive: Wir gedenken der Opfer des Krieges und sehnen uns nach der Zeit des Friedens. (We commemorate the victims of the war and long for the time of peace.)
• Dative: Viele Menschen arbeiten an dem Frieden in der Welt. (Many people work towards peace in the world.)
• Akkusative: Nach langen Verhandlungen schlossen sie endlich den Frieden. (After long negotiations, they finally made peace.)

💡 How "der Frieden" is used

Contexts:

• Politics & Society: Very common in discussions about international relations, conflict resolution, and social harmony (Friedensverhandlungen - peace negotiations, Weltfrieden - world peace).
• Personal Well-being: In the context of psychology, spirituality, or simply the desire for quiet (innerer Frieden - inner peace, Seelenfrieden - peace of mind/soul).
• Law: In connection with public order (Landfriedensbruch - breach of the peace).

Typical Idioms:

• Frieden schließen: To make peace, end a conflict.
• Jemanden in Frieden lassen: To leave someone alone, not bother them.
• Seinen Frieden mit etwas/jemandem machen: To make peace with something/someone, to accept a situation or person.
• Um des lieben Friedens willen: For the sake of peace (sometimes implies compromising one's own opinion to avoid conflict).

Distinction from similar words:

• Ruhe: Refers more to the absence of noise or movement. Frieden is more comprehensive.
• Stille: Absence of sound.
• Harmonie: Concord, agreement, often in a musical or social sense. Frieden can exist without perfect Harmonie (e.g., a ceasefire).

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Frieden"

Article "der"

Imagine a strong guardian (masculine, like der) who protects the peace (Frieden). 'Der Guardian des Friedens'.

Meaning "Peace"

Think of being "free den" – free in the den (a safe place) – brings peace. The sound 'Fried-' is similar to 'freed'. Being freed from conflict leads to Frieden.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms for Frieden

Potential for confusion: Don't mix up Frieden (peace) with Freude (joy, happiness), although peace often brings joy.

😄 A Little Joke

Lehrer: "Was ist der Unterschied zwischen Frieden und Freiheit?"
Fritzchen: "Wenn meine Frau schläft, habe ich meinen Frieden. Wenn meine Frau verreist ist, habe ich meine Freiheit!"

Translation:
Teacher: "What's the difference between peace and freedom?"
Little Fritz: "When my wife is asleep, I have my peace. When my wife is away on a trip, I have my freedom!"

📜 A Short Poem

Wo Waffen schweigen, Hass vergeht,
und sanfter Wind durch Ähren weht.
Wo Hand in Hand man friedlich lebt,
der Frieden sanft die Welt durchwebt.

Kein lauter Streit, kein bitt'rer Schmerz,
nur Ruhe tief im off'nen Herz.
Ein stilles Glück, ein lichter Schein,
so möge immer Frieden sein.

Translation:
Where weapons hush and hatred fades,
And gentle wind through cornfields cascades.
Where hand in hand life peacefully flows,
The peace softly through the world weaves and grows.

No loud dispute, no bitter pain,
Just quiet deep in heart's domain.
A silent luck, a shining light,
May peace always be ever bright.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich bin das Gegenteil von Krieg,
bring' Ruhe oft und selten Sieg (im Kampf).
Man schließt mich nach dem längsten Streit,
und wünscht mich für die Ewigkeit.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I am the opposite of war,
Bring calm often, and seldom victory (in battle).
People conclude me after the longest fight,
And wish for me for all eternity.

What am I?

Solution: der Frieden (peace)

🌐 More about Frieden

Word Composition & Origin:

• The word "Frieden" comes from the Old High German word "fridu", which originally meant "protection", "friendship", or also "safety" and "enclosure". It is related to "frei" (free) and "Freund" (friend).
• It forms the basis of many compound words: Friedensvertrag (peace treaty), Friedenspfeife (peace pipe), Friedensnobelpreis (Nobel Peace Prize), Friedensbewegung (peace movement), Weltfrieden (world peace), Burgfrieden (truce within a castle/group), Landfriedensbruch (breach of public peace), Betriebsfrieden (industrial peace), Familienfrieden (family peace).

Symbolism:

• The white dove (often with an olive branch) is an internationally recognized symbol of peace.
• The peace sign (☮️) is also widely known.