der
Siegeszug
🏆 What does "der Siegeszug" mean?
Der Siegeszug is a masculine noun (maskulines Substantiv). Originally, it described a triumphal procession to celebrate a military victory. However, nowadays the term is much more commonly used in a figurative sense.
In its figurative meaning, der Siegeszug refers to:
- A sustained, unstoppable success or a winning streak (e.g., of an idea, a technology, a team).
- The rapid and successful spread of something new.
So, it usually carries a very positive connotation of triumph and success.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ug → mostly masculine.
Caution: der Flug but das Zeug/ das Flugzeug.
🧐 Grammar of "der Siegeszug" in Detail
The word "Siegeszug" is a masculine noun. The article is der.
Declension (Deklination):
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | der | Siegeszug |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des | Siegeszug(e)s |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem | Siegeszug(e) |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | den | Siegeszug |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Siegeszüge |
| Genitive | der | Siegeszüge |
| Dative | den | Siegeszügen |
| Accusative | die | Siegeszüge |
Note: The Genitive and Dative singular endings -(e)s and -(e) are optional, but the forms without 'e' are more common today.
Example Sentences (Beispielsätze)
- Nach dem gewonnenen Krieg hielt der Feldherr einen prächtigen Siegeszug durch die Hauptstadt ab. (After the won war, the general held a magnificent triumphal procession through the capital. - Literal meaning)
- Der Siegeszug des Internets hat die Welt verändert. (The triumphant advance/winning streak of the internet has changed the world. - Figurative meaning)
- Die Mannschaft setzte ihren Siegeszug in der Liga fort. (The team continued its winning streak in the league. - Figurative meaning)
- Niemand konnte den Siegeszug dieser neuen Technologie aufhalten. (Nobody could stop the triumphant advance of this new technology. - Figurative meaning)
💡 How is "Siegeszug" used?
The original meaning of a military triumphal procession is rather rare today and mostly found in historical contexts.
The figurative meaning is much more common:
- One speaks of the Siegeszug of an idea, an invention, a product, a technology, or even a political movement when it spreads quickly, successfully, and seemingly unstoppably.
- In sports, the term describes a sustained series of victories by a team or athlete (a winning streak).
- Phrases like "einen Siegeszug antreten" or "seinen Siegeszug beginnen" mean to start such a successful run.
Comparison: Similar terms are Erfolgslauf (successful run), Erfolgsserie (success series), or Triumph. However, "Siegeszug" often sounds stronger and implies greater momentum and inevitability.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Remembering the Article: Der Sieg (the victory) is masculine. So, the procession celebrating it, der Siegeszug, is also masculine. Think of 'der' strong leader celebrating 'der' victory.
Remembering the Meaning: Imagine a triumphant procession (Zug) celebrating a great victory (Sieg). Now, picture this procession not just with soldiers, but with smartphones, electric cars, or a successful sports team marching unstoppably forward – that's the modern, figurative meaning of Siegeszug.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Triumphzug (often more literal: triumphal procession)
- Erfolgslauf (successful run)
- Erfolgsserie (winning streak, success series)
- Durchmarsch (straight march, often military or sports: steamrolling)
- Boom (especially economic)
- Aufstieg (rise, ascent)
- Erfolgsgeschichte (success story)
Antonyms (Opposites)
- Niederlage (defeat)
- Misserfolg (failure)
- Rückschlag (setback)
- Pleite (bankruptcy, flop)
- Untergang (downfall, demise)
- Abstieg (descent, relegation)
- Durststrecke (dry spell, lean period)
Similar but potentially misleading words:
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat die Schnecke ihren Siegeszug abgesagt?
Sie hatte Angst, dass er zu schnell vorbei sein könnte!
(Why did the snail cancel its triumphal procession/winning streak?
It was afraid it might be over too quickly!)
📜 A Poem about the Word
Der Fortschritt kam, ein leuchtend Band,
Ein Siegeszug durch Stadt und Land.
Kein Zögern, kein Verweilen hier,
Erfolg und Wandel an der Tür.
Von Null auf Hundert, schnell und klar,
So zog die Neuheit Jahr um Jahr.
Ein Siegeszug, nicht aufzuhalten,
Ließ alte Muster schnell erkalten.
(Progress came, a shining ribbon,
A triumphal march through city and country.
No hesitation, no lingering here,
Success and change at the door.
From zero to a hundred, fast and clear,
Thus the novelty advanced year after year.
A triumphal march, unstoppable,
Made old patterns quickly grow cold.)
❓ A Little Riddle
Ich bin ein Zug, doch fahr' nicht auf Schienen,
Ich feiere den Erfolg, diene keinen Bienen.
Mal bin ich historisch, nach gewonn'ner Schlacht,
Mal die Idee, die unaufhaltsam Macht.
Was bin ich?
(I am a procession/train (Zug), but don't run on rails,
I celebrate success, I don't serve bees.
Sometimes I'm historical, after a battle won,
Sometimes the idea, gaining unstoppable might.
What am I?)
(Answer: Der Siegeszug)
🧩 Word Composition & Trivia
The word "Siegeszug" is a compound noun (Kompositum), formed from:
The connecting element is the genitive 's' (Fugen-s): "Siegeszug". The literal meaning is therefore "procession/march of victory".
Trivia: The term was historically often used to describe the spread of Christianity or later the Reformation. In the 20th and 21st centuries, its use is dominated by technological or social developments (e.g., "der Siegeszug des Automobils" - the triumphant advance of the automobile, "der Siegeszug des Smartphones" - the triumphant advance of the smartphone).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Siegeszug?
The noun Siegeszug is masculine. The correct article is der. It literally means a triumphal procession after a victory, but is more commonly used metaphorically for a sustained winning streak or the unstoppable spread of something new (e.g., der Siegeszug of the internet).