der
Gegenwind
🌬️ What does "der Gegenwind" mean?
The word der Gegenwind has two main meanings:
- Literal meaning: Wind blowing from the direction towards which one is moving. It makes progress difficult, e.g., when cycling or sailing. This is called a headwind in English.
- Figurative meaning: Opposition, criticism, difficulties, or resistance towards a person, a plan, or an idea. One encounters disapproval or obstacles.
The article is always der for this word, regardless of the meaning.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Precipitation, wind → almost always masculine.
Caution: see exceptions
🧐 Grammar of Gegenwind in Detail
Der Gegenwind is a masculine noun. It follows the strong declension pattern.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Gegenwind |
| Accusative | den | Gegenwind |
| Dative | dem | Gegenwind(e) |
| Genitive | des | Gegenwind(e)s |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Gegenwinde |
| Accusative | die | Gegenwinde |
| Dative | den | Gegenwinden |
| Genitive | der | Gegenwinde |
Example Sentences
- Literal: Beim Radfahren hatten wir starken Gegenwind.
(We had a strong headwind while cycling.) - Figurative: Das neue Projekt bekam von Anfang an heftigen Gegenwind aus der Finanzabteilung.
(The new project faced fierce opposition from the finance department right from the start.) - Figurative: Trotz des Gegenwindes hielt sie an ihrer Meinung fest.
(Despite the opposition, she stuck to her opinion.) - Figurative: Der Politiker spürte den Gegenwind der Wähler.
(The politician felt the headwind/opposition from the voters.)
💬 How to use Gegenwind?
Literal Usage:
- Refers to actual wind that hinders movement.
- Contexts: Weather reports, sports (cycling, running, sailing), aviation.
- Example: „Der Pilot musste den Flugkurs wegen des starken Gegenwinds anpassen.“ (The pilot had to adjust the flight path due to the strong headwind.)
Figurative Usage:
- Very common in a metaphorical sense for any form of resistance or difficulty.
- Contexts: Politics, business, personal projects, social interactions.
- Typical collocations: Gegenwind bekommen/spüren/erfahren (to receive/feel/experience opposition); mit Gegenwind rechnen (to expect opposition); trotz Gegenwindes durchsetzen (to push through despite opposition).
- Example: „Ihre innovative Idee bekam zunächst viel Gegenwind von konservativen Kollegen.“ (Her innovative idea initially received a lot of opposition from conservative colleagues.)
⚠️ Don't confuse it with Widerstand, which can be a synonym in the figurative sense, but can also mean physical resistance (e.g., electrical) or political resistance (a movement).
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic: Think of der Wind (the wind). Wind is masculine in German, and the wind blowing 'gegen' (against) you, der Gegenwind, stays masculine.
Meaning Mnemonic (Figurative): Imagine you want to push an idea forward (like cycling), but people or circumstances are symbolically blowing 'wind against' you – that's the Gegenwind slowing you down.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Words)
- Figurative: Widerstand (resistance), Opposition (opposition), Kritik (criticism), Schwierigkeit (difficulty), Ablehnung (rejection), Kontra (con), Anfeindung (hostility)
- Literal (rare): Gegenbrise (headwind, light opposing breeze)
Antonyms (Opposite Words)
- Figurative: Rückenwind (tailwind, support), Unterstützung (support), Zustimmung (approval), Zuspruch (encouragement), Förderung (promotion, backing), Befürwortung (endorsement)
- Literal: Rückenwind (tailwind)
Similar but different words:
- Widerwille: Refers to an inner feeling of reluctance or aversion, not external resistance.
- Hindernis: A concrete object or situation blocking the way; Gegenwind is more like a force or attitude.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum beschweren sich Radfahrer nie über Rückenwind?
Weil sie dann keinen Grund mehr hätten, über den Gegenwind zu jammern! 😉
(Why do cyclists never complain about tailwinds? Because then they'd have no reason left to complain about the headwind!)
📜 Poem about Gegenwind
Der Wind weht kalt, mir ins Gesicht,
Ein harter Kampf, ein schwer' Gewicht.
Doch Gegenwind, er macht mich stark,
Treibt mich voran, durch Nacht und Tag.
Im Leben oft, weht er mir kalt,
Doch meinen Kurs, den find' ich bald.
(The wind blows cold, into my face,
A hard fight, a heavy weight's embrace.
But headwind, it makes me strong,
Drives me onward, all day long.
In life it often blows so cold,
But my own course, I'll soon unfold.)
🧩 Riddle
Ich habe keine Stimme, doch spreche von Not.
Ich habe keine Hände, doch bremse dein Boot.
Mal bin ich nur Luft, mal Kritik, die dich stört.
Wer oder was bin ich, hast du schon gehört?
(I have no voice, yet speak of need.
I have no hands, yet slow your speed.
Sometimes I'm air, sometimes critique that bites.
Who or what am I, known through days and nights?)
Solution: Der Gegenwind (the headwind/opposition)
ℹ️ Other Information
Word Composition:
The word Gegenwind is a compound noun, composed of:
- Preposition/Adverb gegen: Expresses an opposite direction or opposition.
- Noun der Wind: the wind, moving air.
Idiomatic Expressions (Redewendungen):
- Gegenwind bekommen/haben/spüren: To receive/have/feel opposition or criticism.
- Sich gegen den Wind stemmen: To brace oneself against difficulties (literally and figuratively).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Gegenwind?
The noun "Gegenwind" is always masculine. The correct article is der Gegenwind. It means literally 'headwind' (wind blowing against you) or figuratively 'opposition' or 'criticism'.
