die
Bresche
📖 What exactly is a Bresche?
The German word die Bresche has two main meanings:
- Military/Literal: A gap or opening created by force (e.g., shelling, explosion) in a wall, rampart, or fortification. It allows attackers to penetrate. Think of a 'breach' in English.
- Figurative: A gap or breakthrough in a metaphorical sense. Often used in the idiom "für jemanden in die Bresche springen" (literally: 'to jump into the breach for someone'). This means to unexpectedly stand up for someone, defend them, or take over a difficult task for them when they are in need. It means 'to step into the breach' or 'to stand up for someone'.
🚨 There's only one article for Bresche: die. Confusion with other articles isn't possible here.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
📝 Grammar in Detail: die Bresche
Die Bresche is a feminine noun.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Bresche |
| Genitive | der | Bresche |
| Dative | der | Bresche |
| Accusative | die | Bresche |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Breschen |
| Genitive | der | Breschen |
| Dative | den | Breschen |
| Accusative | die | Breschen |
Example Sentences
- Die Angreifer schlugen eine Bresche in die Stadtmauer. (The attackers made a breach in the city wall.)
- Als ihr Kollege kritisiert wurde, sprang sie für ihn in die Bresche. (When her colleague was criticized, she stepped into the breach for him / stood up for him.)
- Durch die Bresche drangen die Soldaten in die Festung ein. (Through the breach, the soldiers entered the fortress.)
- Seine Argumentation schlug eine Bresche in die festgefahrene Meinung der Opposition. (His argumentation made a dent / created an opening in the entrenched opinion of the opposition.)
🗣️ How to use "die Bresche"
The literal meaning of die Bresche is mainly used in historical or military contexts when talking about sieges and fortifications.
In modern language, the figurative meaning, especially the idiom "für jemanden/etwas in die Bresche springen", is much more common. It describes an act of solidarity, support, or defense.
Difference to similar words:
- Lücke (gap): A general term for an empty space or a missing part. A Bresche is specifically a violently created gap.
- Öffnung (opening): Can be natural or artificial, but doesn't necessarily imply violence or destruction like a Bresche.
- Durchbruch (breakthrough): Can be similar to Bresche, but emphasizes overcoming an obstacle more, also figuratively (e.g., wissenschaftlicher Durchbruch - scientific breakthrough).
💡 Mnemonics for "die Bresche"
For the article 'die': Imagine die Mauer (the wall) which is feminine. The gap in die Mauer is die Bresche. Or think: Someone who steps into the breach for you is often a helpful 'she' (die Helferin).
For the meaning: A Bresche sounds a bit like 'breach'. You 'breach' a wall to make a Bresche. For the idiom 'in die Bresche springen', imagine someone bravely 'springing' into the dangerous 'breach' to help.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Words)
- Literal: Lücke (gap), Öffnung (opening), Durchbruch (breach, breakthrough), Spalt (crevice, slit), Einbruchstelle (point of forced entry)
- Figurative ("in die Bresche springen"): Beistand leisten (to assist), unterstützen (to support), helfen (to help), verteidigen (to defend), einspringen (to step in), Partei ergreifen (to take sides)
Antonyms (Opposites)
- Literal: Mauer (wall), Wall (rampart), Befestigung (fortification), Barriere (barrier), Hindernis (obstacle), Geschlossenheit (closedness)
- Figurative ("in die Bresche springen"): im Stich lassen (to abandon, to leave in the lurch), Widerstand leisten (to resist), behindern (to obstruct), angreifen (to attack)
⚠️ Caution: Although Durchbruch (breakthrough) can be a synonym, it's often used more positively (e.g., scientific breakthrough), whereas Bresche is often associated with destruction or conflict (except in the idiom).
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Maurer nie für seinen Kollegen in die Bresche gesprungen?
Er wollte keine Lücken in seiner Arbeit lassen!
Translation:
Why did the bricklayer never step into the breach for his colleague?
He didn't want to leave any gaps (Lücken) in his work!
📜 A Little Poem
Die Mauer stark, der Wall so breit,
Doch donnert laut Geschütz zur Seit'.
Ein Krachen hallt, ein Stein zerfällt,
Die Bresche klafft, dem Feind sie's meld'.
Doch auch im Streit, wenn Not entfacht,
Ein Freund oft unerwartet wacht.
Springt mutig vor, mit starker Hand,
In die Bresche, hält für dich den Stand.
Translation:
The wall so strong, the rampart wide,
But cannons thunder at the side.
A crash resounds, a stone does fall,
The breach gapes open, telling the foe all.
But also in strife, when need ignites,
A friend unexpectedly alights.
Springs bravely forth, with helping hand,
Into the breach, for you takes a stand.
🤔 Little Riddle
Ich bin ein Loch in starkem Stein,
oft durch Gewalt schlug man mich ein.
Manch Freund springt für dich in mich, wenn's brennt,
Wer oder was bin ich, wie man's nennt?
Translation:
I am a hole in solid stone,
Often by force I have been known.
A friend might jump in me for you, when things are dire,
Who or what am I, what name do I acquire?
Solution: die Bresche (the breach)
🧩 Further Information
Etymology (Word Origin):
The German word "Bresche" comes from the French word "brèche", which also means 'gap', 'breach', or 'break'. It was adopted into German in the 16th century, coinciding with developments in military technology and siege warfare.
So, the connection between the German Bresche and the English 'breach' is not accidental; they share a common linguistic ancestor related to the idea of 'breaking'.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Bresche?
The word "Bresche" is always feminine. The correct article is die Bresche. It refers to a breach or gap in a fortification or is used figuratively when someone provides support ("für jemanden in die Bresche springen" - to step into the breach for someone).