die
Clique
🧐 What Exactly is a 'Clique'?
Die Clique refers to a small group of people who are closely connected through common interests, friendship, or social ties. Often, a Clique consciously or unconsciously sets itself apart from others and can therefore sometimes be perceived as exclusive.
The word originates from French (clique) and is used in German as a feminine noun.
⚠️ Sometimes the word carries a slightly negative connotation, implying that a group excludes others.
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 of 'die Clique' in Detail
The noun 'die Clique' is feminine. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Clique |
| Genitive | der | Clique |
| Dative | der | Clique |
| Accusative | die | Clique |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Cliquen |
| Genitive | der | Cliquen |
| Dative | den | Cliquen |
| Accusative | die | Cliquen |
Example Sentences
- Die Clique trifft sich jeden Freitag im Park. (The clique meets every Friday in the park.)
- Er gehört schon lange zu der Clique um den Bandleader. (He has long belonged to the clique around the band leader.)
- Mit dieser Clique möchte ich nichts zu tun haben. (I don't want to have anything to do with this clique.)
- Sie hat die angesagteste Clique der Schule um sich geschart. (She has gathered the most popular clique in the school around her.)
- Die verschiedenen Cliquen auf dem Schulhof ignorierten sich meistens. (The different cliques in the schoolyard mostly ignored each other.)
🗣️ How to Use 'Clique'? Understanding Die Clique
The term 'die Clique' is often used to describe social groups, especially in the context of:
- School and Youth: Groups of friends who spend a lot of time together and often distance themselves from others.
- Workplace: Small, informal groups of colleagues who stick together.
- Social Circles: Exclusive groups within clubs or communities.
Compared to 'Gruppe' (group), 'Clique' is more specific and often implies a stronger internal bond and sometimes a certain closed-off nature towards outsiders. A 'Freundeskreis' (circle of friends) usually sounds more positive and open than a 'Clique'.
Note the potential negative undertone: When someone talks about 'Cliquenwirtschaft', they mean cronyism or favoritism towards members of one's own group.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Clique'
Article Mnemonic: Think of the Queen (feminine connection -> 'die') who has her exclusive Clique. 'Die' is the feminine article in German.
Meaning Mnemonic: A Clique 'clicks' well together – the members understand each other perfectly and are closely connected, like the sound of a click.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Words (Synonyms)
- Freundeskreis: (Circle of friends) Often more positive, less exclusive.
- Gruppe: (Group) More general term for several people.
- Zirkel: (Circle) Rather formal, often for intellectual or social circles.
- Grüppchen: (Little group) Diminutive, often slightly derogatory for small, insignificant cliques.
- Seilschaft: (Rope team, fig.: cronyism) More negative, often in political or economic contexts (mutual support for own advantage).
Opposites (Antonyms)
- Einzelgänger/in: (Loner) Someone who prefers to be alone.
- Außenseiter/in: (Outsider) Someone who doesn't belong to a group.
- die Masse: (The masses) A large, unorganized group of people.
Watch out for similar words
Don't confuse Clique with Klinik (clinic/hospital).
😄 A Little Joke
Warum sind Cliquen so schlecht im Versteckspiel?
Weil sie immer zusammen klicken!
(Why are cliques so bad at hide-and-seek?
Because they always click together!)
📜 A Little Poem about the Clique
Im Pausenhof, ganz eng beisammen,
steht sie da, mit lauten Namen.
Die Clique lacht, hat ihren Spaß,
von außen wirkt's oft blass und krass.
Doch innen drin, da hält man fest,
hat man bestanden manchen Test.
(In the schoolyard, tightly packed,
there it stands, with names loudly tracked.
The clique laughs, having its fun,
from outside it often seems bland, overdone.
But inside, they hold on tight,
having passed many a test and fight.)
🧩 Who or What Am I?
Ich bin ein Kreis, doch nicht ganz rund,
halte zusammen zu jeder Stund'.
Manchmal sind wir sehr verschworen,
haben uns einander auserkoren.
Wir teilen Witz und manchmal Leid,
verbringen gern gemeinsam Zeit.
Wer bin ich?
(Who am I?)
(Answer: die Clique)
(I am a circle, but not quite round,
stick together at every sound (hour).
Sometimes we are very sworn,
have chosen one another, newly born.
We share jokes and sometimes sorrow,
like spending time together, today and tomorrow.
Who am I?)
🌐 Other Interesting Facts
Word Origin: As mentioned, 'Clique' comes from French. The verb cliquer means 'to click' or 'to make a noise'. It might refer to the sound a group makes, or to the members 'clicking' or fitting together.
Sociology: In sociology, clique formation (Cliquenbildung) is an important field of research, especially regarding group dynamics, social networks, and identity formation in adolescents.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Clique?
The German word Clique is feminine. The correct article is die: die Clique (plural: die Cliquen). It refers to a small, often close-knit and sometimes exclusive group of people.