der  Vize

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈviːtsə/

👑 What does 'der Vize' actually mean?

The word der Vize is a common, somewhat informal abbreviation for various titles starting with 'Vize-', such as Vizepräsident (Vice President), Vizekanzler (Vice Chancellor), Vizemeister (Runner-up), or Vizeadmiral (Vice Admiral). It generally refers to a person holding the deputy position, immediately below the highest-ranking person.

It is always a masculine noun, hence the article is always 'der'. A feminine form ('die Vize') is unusual; instead, the full form (e.g., die Vizepräsidentin - *the female Vice President*) or a description is typically used.

Meaning summarized:

• Deputy
• Second in command / Runner-up
• Person in the position directly below the leader or winner

🚨 Attention: Although often used informally, 'der Vize' is a common and accepted term in many contexts (politics, sports, business).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar of 'der Vize' explained

'Der Vize' is a masculine noun. It declines as follows:

Declension Singular

⚠️ For the genitive singular, both forms ('des Vize' and 'des Vizes') exist, though 'des Vize' is more common, especially when it's an abbreviation of a title.

Declension Plural

Examples ✍️

1. Der Vize übernimmt die Aufgaben des Präsidenten.
   (The deputy takes over the president's duties.)
2. Die Meinung des Vize war gefragt.
   (The deputy's opinion was sought.)
3. Wir haben dem Vize zum Geburtstag gratuliert.
   (We congratulated the deputy on his birthday.)
4. Sie ernannten ihn zum neuen Vize.
   (They appointed him as the new deputy.)
5. Alle bisherigen Vizes waren zur Feier eingeladen.
   (All previous deputies were invited to the celebration.)

🗣️ How to use 'der Vize' correctly

'Der Vize' is mostly used in contexts with a clear hierarchy:

• Politics: der Vizekanzler (*Vice Chancellor*), der Vizepräsident (*Vice President*) (abbreviation: 'der Vize')
• Sports: der Vizemeister (*Runner-up*, the team or person in second place; abbreviation: 'der Vize')
• Business/Organizations: der Vizepräsident (*Vice President*), der Vizedirektor (*Deputy Director*) (abbreviation: 'der Vize')
• Military: der Vizeadmiral (*Vice Admiral*)

Style & Context:

The short form 'der Vize' tends to be slightly more informal than the full title (e.g., 'Vizepräsident'). In official documents or very formal addresses, the long form is often preferred. However, in everyday language, news reports, and general conversation, 'der Vize' is very common.

Comparison with 'Stellvertreter':

'Der Stellvertreter' is a more general term for someone representing another person (*deputy*, *substitute*, *representative*). 'Der Vize' more specifically implies the position directly below the leader or the first place finisher.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Vize'

For the article (der): Remember 'der' often goes with male roles or titles. Der Vize sounds like 'the Vice' (president/chancellor), often historically a male role - so use der.

For the meaning (deputy): Think of the English word 'vice' as in 'vice-president'. 'Vize' is the German equivalent, meaning the person acting 'in place of' or second to the main person.

↔️ Vize: Similar and opposite terms

⚠️ Be careful with similar-sounding words: 'Die Weise' (way, manner) or 'der Waise' (orphan) sound vaguely similar but have completely different meanings.

😄 A little joke

DE: Fragt der Chef den Vize: "Na, wie fühlt es sich an, immer die zweite Geige zu spielen?" Sagt der Vize: "Großartig! Weniger Verantwortung, fast das gleiche Gehalt und ich kann immer sagen: 'Frag den Chef!'" 😉

EN: The boss asks the deputy: "So, how does it feel to always play second fiddle?" The deputy replies: "Great! Less responsibility, almost the same salary, and I can always say: 'Ask the boss!'" 😉

📜 The 'Vize' in verse

DE:
Nicht ganz oben, doch stets bereit,
Der Vize steht zur rechten Zeit.
Er springt ein, wenn der Erste fehlt,
Auf seine Kraft die Firma zählt.

Im Sport oft knapp am Sieg vorbei,
Doch Silber glänzt – Platz Nummer zwei!
Ob Kanzler, Meister, Präsident,
Den Vize man als Stütze kennt.

EN:
Not quite at the top, but always prepared,
The Vize stands ready when needed.
He steps in when the first one is absent,
On his strength, the company depends.

In sports, often just missing the win,
But silver shines – place number two!
Whether Chancellor, Champion, President,
The Vize is known as a support.

❓ Who or what am I?

DE:
Ich trage einen Titel, doch nicht den höchsten Kranz.
Ich steh' im zweiten Gliede, doch leiste auch viel Glanz.
Man kürzt mich gerne ab, von Präsident bis Meister fein.
Wer bin ich, stets bereit, der Stellvertreter zu sein?

EN:
I bear a title, but not the highest crown.
I stand in the second rank, yet also provide much renown.
People like to abbreviate me, from president to champion fine.
Who am I, always ready, to be the deputy in line?

Solution: Der Vize (The Deputy/Vice)

💡 Interesting facts about 'Vize'

Etymology (Word Origin):

The prefix 'Vize-' comes from the Latin word vice, meaning "in place of", "instead of", or "alternately". It thus expresses a function of deputyship.

Use as a Prefix:

'Vize-' is a very productive prefix in German and is prepended to many nouns denoting a position or rank to indicate the deputy position (e.g., Vizekonsul - *Vice Consul*, Vizedekan - *Vice Dean*, Vizeweltmeister - *World Runner-up*).

Trivia:

Sometimes 'Vize' is used humorously to describe someone who is 'almost' the best at something, e.g., "Er ist der Vize-Grillmeister unserer Straße." (*He's the vice-barbecue master of our street.*)