die  Brigade

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bʁiɡaˈdeː/

📖 What does 'die Brigade' mean?

The German word die Brigade (feminine) primarily has two meanings:

1. Military Unit: A Brigade is a major military tactical unit, typically composed of several battalions or regiments. It's larger than a regiment but smaller than a division. 💂‍♀️
2. Work Collective (historical/socialist): Especially in former socialist countries (like the GDR - DDR), a Brigade referred to a work group or collective within factories or agriculture, often linked to planned targets and socialist competition. 🧑‍🏭
   Example: Eine 'Brigade der sozialistischen Arbeit' (A 'Brigade of Socialist Labour').

The intended meaning usually becomes clear from the context.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar and Declension of 'die Brigade'

The noun die Brigade is feminine. Here is its declension:

Singular

This table shows how 'die Brigade' changes in the singular depending on the grammatical case.

Plural

This table shows how 'die Brigaden' (the plural form) changes. Note the '-n' ending in the plural noun.

Example Sentences

• Military: Die Panzergrenadierbrigade verlegte in das Übungsgebiet. (The mechanized infantry brigade moved to the training area.)
• Military: Der General inspizierte die gesamte Brigade. (The general inspected the entire brigade.)
• Work Collective: Unsere Brigade hat das Plansoll übererfüllt. (Our brigade exceeded the planned target.)
• Work Collective: Die Mitglieder der verschiedenen Brigaden trafen sich zur Versammlung. (The members of the different brigades met for the assembly.)

✅ Usage in Context

The use of die Brigade strongly depends on the context:

• Military Context: Here, the term is common internationally and refers to a clearly defined tactical unit. You hear about Panzerbrigaden (tank brigades), Infanteriebrigaden (infantry brigades), etc.
• Historical/Socialist Context: This meaning is less common today and mostly used in historical descriptions or contexts dealing with the world of work in socialist systems. It often implied a collective work ethic and competition (e.g., 'Wettbewerb der Brigaden' - competition of the brigades).
• Figurative Use (rare): Sometimes 'Brigade' might be used slightly ironically or colloquially for any group of people doing something together (e.g., "die Putz-Brigade" - the cleaning brigade), but this is not very frequent.

⚠️ Don't confuse the military unit with the work group, even though the word is the same. Context is key!

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article 'die': Remember that many military units in German are feminine (like die Armee - the army, die Division - the division). Imagine: Die powerful Brigade marches. The '-e' ending is also a common (though not fully reliable) indicator for feminine nouns in German.

Meaning: For the military meaning: A Brigade is 'grade A' (top level) for important tasks, a large group. For the work group: Think of a group that 'brings' results together.

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

🚨 Similar but Different Words

• Brigantine: A type of sailing ship. Nothing to do with the military or work Brigade.
• Brigant: A robber or bandit. Sounds similar, but has a completely different, negative meaning.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der General den neuen Rekruten: "Was ist der Unterschied zwischen einer Kompanie und einer Brigade?"
Rekrut: "Herr General, eine Kompanie kämpft, bis sie müde ist. Eine Brigade kämpft, bis die Kompanien müde sind!" 😄

Translation:
The general asks the new recruit: "What's the difference between a company and a brigade?"
Recruit: "Sir, a company fights until it's tired. A brigade fights until the companies are tired!" 😄

✍️ Poem about the Brigade

Die Brigade

Ob im Feld, in Reih und Glied,
oder wo die Arbeit zieht.
Die Brigade, stark und groß,
wirft sich mutig in den Schoß
des Gefechts, des Plans, der Zeit,
stets zu Taten stolz bereit.

Translation:

The Brigade

Whether in field, in rank and file,
or where the work does pile.
The Brigade, strong and grand,
throws itself bravely into the land
of battle, plan, or time's demand,
always proudly ready for deeds at hand.

🤔 Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Verband, doch trage kein Tuch,
bin stärker als ein Regiment, das ist kein Bruch.
In der DDR war ich auch am Werk zu seh'n,
als Gruppe von Arbeitern, um Pläne zu dreh'n.

Was bin ich?

Translation:

I am a formation, but wear no cloth,
I'm stronger than a regiment, that is no froth.
In the GDR, I was also seen at work, it's true,
as a group of workers, turning plans anew.

What am I?
Solution: die Brigade

🧩 Other Information

Etymology (Word Origin):

The word 'Brigade' originally comes from Italian (brigata: company, troop, band) and entered German via French (brigade). It is related to the Italian word briga, meaning 'quarrel, trouble, business'.

Interesting Fact: Fire departments are sometimes also organized into Brigaden, especially larger professional fire services or during major incidents. 🚒