die  Artillerie

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˌʔaʁtɪˈleːʁi/

🎯 What exactly is 'die Artillerie'?

Artillerie (feminine, article: die) generally refers to:

• Large-caliber guns: Kanonen (cannons), Haubitzen (howitzers), Mörser (mortars), etc., used in warfare or defense. They are characterized by their range and destructive power.
• A branch of the armed forces: The part of an army or military force equipped with and operating such guns. E.g., die Heeresartillerie (army artillery), die Marineartillerie (naval artillery).
• The science of gunnery: The study of the construction, operation, and deployment of guns (ballistics, tactics, etc.).

🚨 Note: The word is mostly used in the singular as a collective noun. The plural (die Artillerien) is rare and refers to different artillery units or types.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'Artillerie' in Detail

The noun Artillerie is feminine. The correct article is die. It is mostly used in the singular.

Declension (Singular)

Note: The plural 'die Artillerien' exists but is rarely used.

📚 Example Sentences

1. Die Artillerie eröffnete das Feuer auf die feindlichen Stellungen.
   (The artillery opened fire on the enemy positions.)
2. Er diente bei der schweren Artillerie.
   (He served in the heavy artillery.)
3. Die Entwicklung der Artillerie revolutionierte die Kriegsführung.
   (The development of artillery revolutionized warfare.)
4. Moderne Artillerie nutzt computergestützte Zielsysteme.
   (Modern artillery uses computer-aided targeting systems.)

🗣️ How to Use 'Artillerie'?

The term Artillerie is primarily used in military and historical contexts.

• Military: Describing weapon systems, units, or tactics. (Example: Die Reichweite der feindlichen Artillerie war beachtlich. - The range of the enemy artillery was considerable.)
• History: Discussing past wars, battles, and the evolution of weapon technology. (Example: Die Artillerie spielte im Ersten Weltkrieg eine entscheidende Rolle. - Artillery played a decisive role in World War I.)
• Technology: In connection with the manufacturing, development, or technical aspects of guns. (Example: Die Präzision moderner Artillerie ist beeindruckend. - The precision of modern artillery is impressive.)

Figurative use is rare, perhaps for a massive or concentrated accumulation of something (e.g., eine Artillerie von Argumenten - an artillery of arguments), but this is uncommon and can sound forced.

💡 Mnemonics for 'Artillerie'

For the article 'die': Many military units or branches ending in '-ie' in German are feminine: die Infanterie, die Kavallerie, die Artillerie. Remember the ending -ie often signals die.

For the meaning: Imagine the immense size and power of the guns. They aren't exactly artistic, more like eriely large and loud – that's Artillerie!

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse Artillerie with Artistik (artistry, circus performance) or specific gun types like Kanone (cannon), Haubitze (howitzer), Mörser (mortar) – these are *components* or *types* of artillery.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der General den Artilleristen: "Können Sie das Ziel treffen?"
Antwortet der Artillerist: "Keine Ahnung, Herr General, aber ich kann einen Höllenlärm direkt daneben machen!"

Translation:
The general asks the artilleryman: "Can you hit the target?"
The artilleryman replies: "I have no idea, Sir, but I can make a hell of a noise right next to it!"

📜 Poem about Artillerie

Aus Stahlrohr schwer, mit Donnerhall,
fliegt weit das Korn, bringt Fall um Fall.
Die Artillerie, mit Macht und Wucht,
verändert manch' geschlag'ne Schlacht.
Am Horizont der Mündungsblitz,
ein eherner, berechneter Witz? Nein, ernste Macht, die zielt und trifft,
in Krieg und Streit ein dunkles Gift.

Translation:
From heavy steel tube, with thunderous sound,
The projectile flies far, bringing fall after fall around.
The Artillery, with might and force,
Changes the course of many a battle's discourse.
On the horizon, the muzzle flash bright,
An iron, calculated jest in the fight?
No, serious power that aims and strikes,
In war and conflict, a dark poison alike.

❓ Riddle

Ich spreche laut mit Blitz und Krachen,
kann über weite Felder wachen.
Bin eine Truppe, schwer und groß,
mein Schuss fliegt los, erbarmungslos.
Mit 'die' steh ich im deutschen Satz,
wer bin ich wohl, an meinem Platz?

Translation:
I speak loudly with flash and crash,
Can watch over wide fields in a dash.
I am a troop, heavy and grand,
My shot flies forth, across the land.
With 'die' I stand in German grammar's domain,
Who am I then, tell me my name?

Solution: die Artillerie

🌐 Other Information

Etymology: The word "Artillerie" comes from French (artillerie), which in turn derives from the Old French word artillier, meaning "to arm" or "to equip". Originally, it referred to any kind of war equipment, later specializing to mean ordnance or large guns.

Compounds: You often find "Artillerie" in compound words like Artilleriebeschuss (artillery barrage/shelling), Artilleriestellung (artillery position), Artillerieschule (artillery school), Feldartillerie (field artillery), Gebirgsartillerie (mountain artillery), Raketenartillerie (rocket artillery).