die  Analogie

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˌʔanaˈloːɡi/

📖 What does "die Analogie" mean?

Die Analogie (noun, feminine) refers to a similarity or correspondence in relationships, structures, or functions between different things or domains. It's often about making something complex more understandable by comparing it to something familiar.

You draw an Analogie (analogy) to:

• Support an argument (e.g., in rhetoric or law).
• Explain or illustrate something (e.g., in science or education).
• Draw a conclusion (Analogieschluss - conclusion by analogy).

⚠️ Be careful: Analogies are helpful but not always logically compelling. An overstretched or false Analogie can lead to fallacies (Fehlschlüsse).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🔍 Grammar in Detail: Die Analogie

The word "Analogie" is a feminine noun. The article is always die.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences

1. Der Lehrer erklärte den Blutkreislauf anhand der Analogie zu einem Heizungssystem.
   (The teacher explained the circulatory system using the analogy of a heating system.)
2. Zwischen diesen beiden historischen Ereignissen lässt sich eine interessante Analogie ziehen.
   (An interesting analogy can be drawn between these two historical events.)
3. Man muss vorsichtig sein, wenn man Schlussfolgerungen nur auf Analogien basiert.
   (One must be careful when basing conclusions solely on analogies.)

💡 How to use "die Analogie"?

Die Analogie is frequently used to make complex matters understandable by comparing them to something familiar.

• In explanations: "Stell dir das Gehirn als Computer vor – das ist eine oft genutzte Analogie." (Imagine the brain as a computer – that's a frequently used analogy.)
• In arguments: "Wenn wir Tierversuche für Kosmetika verbieten, sollten wir das per Analogie auch für Reinigungsmittel tun." (If we ban animal testing for cosmetics, we should, by analogy, do the same for cleaning products.) (Here, a similarity between the cases is asserted).
• In science: Researchers use Analogien to develop hypotheses, for instance, by transferring models from one field to another.
• In law: The Analogieschluss (conclusion by analogy) fills legal gaps by applying a rule to a similar, unregulated case.

Distinction from similar terms:

• Vergleich (comparison): A Vergleich directly contrasts similarities or differences ("Er ist stark wie ein Bär" - He is strong like a bear). An Analogie refers more to the similarity of *relations* ("Das Atommodell von Bohr zieht eine Analogie zum Planetensystem" - Bohr's atomic model draws an analogy to the planetary system).
• Metapher (metaphor): A Metapher is a figurative expression, often shorter and more direct than an analogy ("Er ist ein Löwe im Kampf" - He is a lion in battle). An Analogie is usually more detailed and explanatory.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Analogie"

Article Mnemonic (die)

Think of die Logie – many German words ending in "-logie" are feminine (die Biologie, die Psychologie, die Technologie). "Analogie" fits this pattern. Alternatively, picture a wise woman (die Frau) who is skilled at forming Analogien.

Meaning Mnemonic

"Ana-logie": Sounds a bit like "Anna's logic". Imagine Anna explaining the world to you using comparisons and similarities – she's constantly using Analogien.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Analogie

🚨 Potentially Confusing Words:

• Homologie (homology): In biology, this refers to similarity due to common ancestry (not just functional similarity like Analogie). In linguistics, it refers to words with the same origin.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum sind schlechte Klempner wie falsche Analogien?

Weil bei beiden etwas undicht ist und am Ende keiner mehr durchblickt! 😄

Why are bad plumbers like false analogies?

Because both have leaks, and in the end, nobody understands what's going on! 😄

📜 Poem about Analogie

Ein Ding dem andern ähnlich sei,
nicht im Ganzen, doch im Wie.
Struktur, Funktion, Verhältnis klar,
die Analogie macht's wunderbar.
Sie erklärt, was schwer zu fassen,
lässt uns die Welt besser erfassen.
Von Herz zu Pumpe, Staat zu Schiff,
sie gibt dem Denken neuen Schliff.

One thing may be like another,
Not wholly, but in its 'how'.
Structure, function, relation clear,
The Analogie makes it wonderfully appear.
It explains what's hard to grasp,
Lets us understand the world's vast clasp.
From heart to pump, from state to ship,
It gives new edge to thought's own grip.

❓ Riddle

Ich bin kein direkter Vergleich, doch zeige Ähnlichkeit.
Ich helfe zu verstehen, was wirkt wie Wirklichkeit.
Ich verbinde Welten, die scheinbar fern,
und stütze Argumente, hört man mich gern.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: die Analogie

I'm not a direct comparison, yet similarity I show.
I help to understand what seems like reality's flow.
I connect worlds that appear far apart,
And support arguments, gladly heard from the start.

What am I?

Solution: die Analogie (the analogy)

✨ More Information about die Analogie

Word Origin: The word "Analogie" comes from the Greek word analogía (ἀναλογία), meaning “proportion,” “correspondence,” or “ratio.”

Use in Specific Fields:

• Linguistik (Linguistics): Leveling of word forms according to existing patterns (e.g., plural formation).
• Biologie (Biology): Similarity of organs based on similar function but different ancestry (e.g., wings of birds and insects). This is distinct from Homologie (homology).
• Recht (Law): Application of a legal norm to a similar, unregulated situation (Analogieschluss - conclusion by analogy).
• Rhetorik/Philosophie (Rhetoric/Philosophy): Means of argumentation and explanation.