der
Gegenzug
♟️ What does “der Gegenzug” mean?
The word der Gegenzug is a masculine noun and has several meanings:
- In games (e.g., chess): The immediate response to the opponent's move (Zug). A strategic step taken as a reaction.
- As a reaction/response: An action or statement made as a direct reply to a previous action or statement. Often in the sense of a riposte (Retourkutsche) or a balancing measure.
- Figuratively: A measure taken in response to another measure, e.g., in politics or business ("Als Gegenzug für die Sanktionen..." - "In return for the sanctions...").
- Transport (rare): A train traveling in the opposite direction. This meaning is less common than the others.
🚨 There is only the article der for Gegenzug.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ug → mostly masculine.
Caution: der Flug but das Zeug/ das Flugzeug.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Gegenzug
The noun „Gegenzug“ is masculine. Here is the declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Gegenzug |
| Genitive | des | Gegenzug(e)s |
| Dative | dem | Gegenzug(e) |
| Accusative | den | Gegenzug |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Gegenzüge |
| Genitive | der | Gegenzüge |
| Dative | den | Gegenzügen |
| Accusative | die | Gegenzüge |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der Schachspieler überlegte lange seinen nächsten Gegenzug. (The chess player thought long about his next countermove.)
- Als Gegenzug für seine Hilfe erwartete er Loyalität. (In return for his help, he expected loyalty.)
- Die Regierung kündigte wirtschaftliche Gegenzüge an. (The government announced economic countermeasures.)
- Er wartete am Bahnsteig auf den Gegenzug nach Berlin. (He waited on the platform for the train going in the opposite direction to Berlin. - rare)
💡 How to Use „Gegenzug“
The term „Gegenzug“ is often used in contexts where a reaction or response occurs:
- Games & Strategy: Very common in chess, checkers, or other strategic games ("Sein brillanter Gegenzug brachte ihm den Sieg." - "His brilliant countermove won him the game.").
- Social Interaction: When an action is understood as a direct response to another, often with a connotation of balance or retaliation ("Als Gegenzug für die Einladung brachte er Blumen mit." - "In return for the invitation, he brought flowers." or "Ihre unfreundliche Bemerkung provozierte einen scharfen Gegenzug." - "Her unfriendly remark provoked a sharp retort."). The phrase "im Gegenzug" means 'in return', 'in exchange'.
- Politics & Economics: As a term for measures taken in response to actions by other states or companies ("Zölle wurden als Gegenzug verhängt." - "Tariffs were imposed as a countermove.").
Comparison: „Antwort“ (answer) is more neutral, „Erwiderung“ (reply, rejoinder) is more formal, „Konter“ (counter) is often faster and defensive, „Retourkutsche“ (tit-for-tat, riposte) is colloquial and negative for a retaliatory reaction.
🧠 Mnemonics for „Gegenzug“
Article Mnemonic: Think of der Zug (the train/move). A Gegenzug is also a type of Zug, just in the opposite direction or as a response. Trains (Zug) are masculine in German, so der Gegenzug is also masculine.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a chessboard. One player makes a move (Zug), the other makes a move gegen (against) the first move – a Gegen-Zug (counter-move).
↔️ Opposites and Similar Words: Der Gegenzug
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Antwort: Neutral term for a response.
- Erwiderung: Often a verbal or formal reply.
- Konter: Quick, often defensive reaction.
- Retourkutsche: (Colloquial) A negative, often retaliatory reaction.
- Reaktion: General term for a response to a stimulus or action.
- Vergeltung: Strong, often negative reaction to perceived injustice (retaliation).
Antonyms (Opposites)
- Zug: The original action (in a game).
- Aktion / Initiative: The first step, not the reaction.
- Angebot: An offer, not a reaction to a move.
- Vorstoß: An initial action or attempt (advance, push).
⚠️ Be careful with „Gegenleistung“ (return service, consideration). This refers more to a contractually agreed service in return for another service, whereas „Gegenzug“ is more of a strategic or social reaction.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der eine Schachspieler den anderen: „Was ist dein bester Gegenzug gegen das Matt?“
Sagt der andere: „Das Spielbrett umwerfen!“
(One chess player asks the other: “What’s your best countermove against checkmate?”
The other says: “Knocking over the board!”)
✒️ A Poem about the Gegenzug
Ein Zug gemacht, voll List und Plan,
Der Gegner schaut ihn prüfend an.
Was tun? Wie auf den Stoß reagier'n?
Man muss gekonnt konterkarier'n.
Der Gegenzug, wohl überlegt,
Wird nun aufs Feld bewegt.
Mal sanft, mal hart, mal klar, mal vage,
Entscheidet er die ganze Lage.
(A move is made, full of cunning and plan,
The opponent eyes it, scan by scan.
What to do? How to react to the thrust?
One must skillfully counteract, if one must.
The countermove, well thought out,
Is now moved onto the field, no doubt.
Sometimes gentle, sometimes hard, sometimes clear, sometimes vague,
It decides the entire stage.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin die Antwort auf dem Brett,
Manchmal freundlich, manchmal nett,
Manchmal bin ich hart und kalt,
Eine Reaktion, schon sehr alt.
Im Gespräch, da komm ich auch,
Als Antwort auf 'nen fremden Hauch.
Was bin ich?
(I am the answer on the board,
Sometimes friendly, sometimes adored,
Sometimes I am hard and cold,
A reaction, centuries old.
In conversation, I appear too,
As a response to something new.
What am I?)
(Solution: der Gegenzug)
🧩 Further Information
Word Composition:
The word „Gegenzug“ is a compound noun, composed of:
- Gegen-: Prefix indicating opposition, reversal of direction, or response. (against, counter-)
- Zug: Noun meaning move, pull, train, or procession.
The combination highlights the meaning as a "move in response" or "move in the opposite direction".
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Gegenzug?
The noun „Gegenzug“ is always masculine. The correct article is der Gegenzug. The plural is „die Gegenzüge“.