die  Abwehr

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʔapvɛʁ/

🛡️ What does "die Abwehr" mean?

Die Abwehr is a feminine noun generally describing the process or system for defense or protection against something undesirable. It has several specific meanings:

• Military/General: Defense against an attack or danger. Example: Die Grenztruppen verstärkten die Abwehr (The border troops reinforced the defense).
• Medicine/Biology: The body's immune system and its ability to fight off pathogens. Example: Eine gesunde Ernährung stärkt die Abwehrkräfte (A healthy diet strengthens the immune defenses). Often referred to as Immunabwehr.
• Sports: The part of a team responsible for preventing the opponent's attacks (e.g., in football, handball). Example: Die Abwehr stand heute sehr sicher (The defense was very solid today).
• Psychology: Unconscious psychological processes to protect against unpleasant feelings or thoughts (defense mechanisms). Example: Verdrängung ist eine Form der psychischen Abwehr (Repression is a form of psychological defense).

🚨 The word is almost exclusively used in the singular when referring to the general or specific defensive function. The plural (die Abwehren) is rare and usually refers to concrete defense measures or systems.

📊 Grammar in Detail: die Abwehr

"Abwehr" is a feminine noun. The article is die.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

The plural "die Abwehren" is rarely used.

📝 Example Sentences

• Die Abwehr des Immunsystems schützt uns vor Viren. (The immune system's defense protects us from viruses.)
• Die Stärke der Abwehr war entscheidend für den Sieg. (The strength of the defense was crucial for the victory.)
• Wir vertrauen der Abwehr unserer Mannschaft. (We trust our team's defense.)
• Der Feind durchbrach die Abwehr. (The enemy broke through the defense.)

🌐 How to use "die Abwehr"?

The usage of die Abwehr heavily depends on the context:

• Everyday life: Often related to health ("die körpereigene Abwehr stärken" - to strengthen the body's own defenses) or sports ("eine starke Abwehr haben" - to have a strong defense).
• Military/Security: Refers to defense measures or structures ("Luftabwehr" - air defense, "Cyber-Abwehr" - cyber defense).
• Technology: Can also denote technical protective measures ("Virenabwehr" - virus defense/protection).
• Psychology: Technical term for defense mechanisms.

Distinction from similar words:

• Verteidigung: Often synonymous, but "Verteidigung" can sound more active and more often refers to a specific action or organization. "Abwehr" often emphasizes the reaction or the system.
• Widerstand: (Resistance) Refers more to opposing pressure or power, not necessarily a direct attack.
• Schutz: (Protection) More general term for measures preventing harm; "Abwehr" is a specific form of protection against an attacker or threat.

🧠 Memory Aids for "die Abwehr"

Article Mnemonic: Think of a fierce shieldmaiden (feminine association like 'die') defending a position. She is part of 'die Abwehr'.

Meaning Mnemonic: "Ab" often means away or off. "Wehren" means to defend oneself. So, to 'ab-wehren' something (an attack) means to fend it off, push it away = die Abwehr (the defense).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Potential for Confusion!

Sometimes "Abwehr" might be mistaken for pure passivity. However, Abwehr can definitely involve active measures (e.g., launching a counter-attack as part of the defense).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat die Fußballmannschaft nur Abwehrspieler aufgestellt?
Weil der Trainer gehört hat, Angriff sei die beste Verteidigung, aber er wollte auf Nummer sicher gehen! 😉

(Why did the football team only field defenders?
Because the coach heard that attack is the best defense, but he wanted to play it safe!)

📜 Poem about Abwehr

Die Abwehr steht, ein starker Wall,
\gegen Viren, Schuss und Ball.
\Im Körper, Feld und auch im Geist,
\sie mutig Widerstand uns weist.
\Mal still, mal laut, doch stets bereit,
ür uns're Sicherheit.

(The defense stands, a strong wall,
Against viruses, shots, and the ball.
In body, field, and also in mind,
It bravely shows us resistance.
Sometimes quiet, sometimes loud, but always ready,
For our security.)

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich schütze dich vor mancher Not,
\sei's Krankheit, Feindes Angriffsbot.
\Im Sport hält meine Kette dicht,
\im Körper bin ich Pflicht.

\Wer bin ich?

(I protect you from many troubles,
Be it illness, or the enemy's attacking messengers.
In sports, my chain holds tight,
In the body, I am a duty.

Who am I?)

Solution: die Abwehr (the defense)

✨ More about Abwehr

Word Composition:

The word "Abwehr" is composed of:

• ab-: A prefix often indicating away, off, or a repelling/defensive motion/action (as in abwehren - to fend off, abblocken - to block).
• Wehr: An old word for defense, protection, or a defensive structure (related to the verb wehren - to defend oneself). The ending "-wehr" is also found in Feuerwehr (fire brigade) or Bundeswehr (German armed forces).

Trivia: The concept of "Abwehrmechanismus" (defense mechanism) in psychology was significantly shaped by Sigmund Freud and his daughter Anna Freud.