die  Attacke

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/atˈtakə/

⚔️ What does "die Attacke" mean?

The German word die Attacke primarily has two meanings:

1. An attack or assault: This can refer to a military action, a physical assault, but also a verbal attack or sharp criticism.

   • Example: Die feindliche Armee startete eine überraschende Attacke. (The enemy army launched a surprise attack.)
   • Example: Seine Rede war eine scharfe Attacke auf die Regierungspolitik. (His speech was a sharp attack on government policy.)

2. A sudden fit, bout, or onset (medical or emotional): This refers to the sudden occurrence of symptoms of illness or strong emotions.

   • Example: Sie erlitt eine heftige Husten-Attacke. (She suffered a severe coughing fit/attack.)
   • Example: In stressigen Situationen bekommt er manchmal Panikattacken. (In stressful situations, he sometimes gets panic attacks.)

⚠️ It's important to consider the context to understand the correct meaning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar of "die Attacke"

"Attacke" is a feminine noun. The article is always die.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

📜 Example Sentences

• Die Attacke der Ritter war erfolgreich. (The knights' attack was successful.)
• Wir gedachten der Opfer der Attacke. (We remembered the victims of the attack.)
• Er konnte der Attacke knapp entkommen. (He barely escaped the attack.)
• Sie planten die nächste Attacke. (They planned the next attack.)
• Die nächtlichen Attacken nahmen zu. (The nightly attacks increased.)
• Die Folgen der Attacken waren verheerend. (The consequences of the attacks were devastating.)
• Man musste den ständigen Attacken trotzen. (One had to defy the constant attacks.)
• Die Medien berichteten über die Attacken. (The media reported on the attacks.)

💡 How to use "die Attacke"?

The use of die Attacke depends heavily on the context:

• Military/Conflict: Here, "Attacke" is often synonymous with "Angriff" (attack) or "Offensive" (offensive). Example: "Die Truppen bereiteten sich auf die finale Attacke vor." (The troops prepared for the final attack.)
• Sports: In sports, e.g., cycling or running, an "Attacke" describes a sudden burst of speed to break away from the pack. Example: "Kurz vor dem Ziel startete der Führende eine letzte Attacke." (Shortly before the finish line, the leader launched a final attack.)
• Medicine/Health: Here, it refers to a sudden fit, bout, or flare-up of an illness. Examples: Herzattacke (heart attack), Asthmaattacke (asthma attack), Panikattacke (panic attack), Hustenattacke (coughing fit).
• Interpersonal/Politics: Eine verbale Attacke is a sharp verbal assault or harsh criticism. Example: "Seine Bemerkungen waren eine persönliche Attacke." (His remarks were a personal attack.)

Difference from "Angriff": While "Angriff" is often broader and can be more planned, "Attacke" frequently implies something sudden, fierce, or unexpected.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Attacke"

Article Mnemonic (die)

Remember: Many nouns ending in -e, especially those borrowed from other languages (like French here), are feminine (die). Picture an energetic woman (die Frau) launching an Attacke! Or think: Die bomb explodes during die Attacke.

Meaning Mnemonic

The word sounds very similar to the English word "attack". Imagine someone shouting "Attacke!" and then charging forward (an attack) or suddenly gasping for air (a fit/bout).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

🚨 Beware of Confusion!

Das Attentat: This refers specifically to an assassination attempt or a targeted attack (often politically motivated) on a person or institution. It's more specific than a general Attacke. Example: Das Attentat auf den Präsidenten scheiterte. (The assassination attempt on the president failed.)

😂 A little Joke

Warum nehmen Skelette nie an einer Attacke teil?

Weil sie nicht den Mut (und keine Muskeln) dafür haben! 😉

(Why do skeletons never take part in an attack? Because they don't have the guts (or muscles) for it!)

📜 Poem about Attacke

Die Stille bricht, ein jäher Schrei,
Die Attacke kommt, schnell vorbei?
Ob Wortgefecht, ob Speer, ob Faust,
Ein jäher Sturm, der niedersaust.

Auch innen drin, im Brustkorb eng,
Die Angst beginnt, ein wilder Spreng,
Die Panik kommt, als kalter Hauch,
Auch das 'ne Attacke, kennst du's auch?

(The silence breaks, a sudden cry,
The attack arrives, swiftly passing by?
Be it verbal spar, or spear, or fist,
A sudden storm that can't be missed.)

(Inside as well, the chest feels tight,
Fear starts to grow, a wild, fierce light,
The panic comes, a chilling breath,
That's an attack too, do you know its depth?)

🤔 Little Riddle

Ich komme plötzlich, unerwartet, schnell,
Bin mal im Feld, mal an der Schwelle.
Mal trifft mein Wort dich tief und spitz,
Mal bin ich nur ein Hustenreiz, ein Witz?
Im Krieg gefürchtet, im Sport gewollt,
Manchmal vom Arzt, wenn's Herzchen rollt.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: die Attacke

(I come suddenly, unexpectedly, fast,
Sometimes in the field, sometimes at the threshold cast.
Sometimes my word hits you deep and sharp,
Sometimes I'm just a cough, a joke, a harp?
Feared in war, desired in sport's domain,
Sometimes from the doctor, when the heart feels pain.

What am I?)

(Answer: die Attacke)

➕ More Info on Attacke

Word Origin: The word "Attacke" comes from the French word "attaque", which in turn originates from the Italian "attacco" (attack).

Word Formations: "Attacke" is part of many compound words, especially in the medical field:

• Panikattacke (panic attack)
• Herzattacke (heart attack)
• Asthmaattacke (asthma attack)
• Fressattacke (binge eating attack/food craving attack)
• Hustenattacke (coughing fit/attack)

Expression: Sometimes you might hear the exclamation "Attacke!" as a call to act quickly or to attack, often meant humorously.