die
Devise
📖 What does "die Devise" mean?
The German word die Devise has two main meanings:
-
Motto, slogan, maxim: A short sentence or phrase expressing a fundamental attitude, goal, or principle of action. It can be a personal principle, the motto of an organization, or an event.
Example: Seine Devise war "Ehrlich währt am längsten". (His motto was "Honesty is the best policy".)
-
Foreign currency/exchange (often plural: Devisen): Funds or claims (like checks, bills of exchange) denominated in a foreign currency. Devisen play a central role in international payments. 💰
Example: Das Unternehmen benötigt Devisen für den Import von Rohstoffen. (The company needs foreign currency to import raw materials.)
🚨 Important: Although both meanings use the same word, the context is crucial to understand which one is intended. The plural form "die Devisen" almost exclusively refers to foreign currencies.
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 Corner: "die Devise"
"Devise" is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always die.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Devise |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Devise |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Devise |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Devise |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Devisen |
| Genitive | der | Devisen |
| Dative | den | Devisen |
| Accusative | die | Devisen |
Example Sentences
- (Motto) Die Devise des Unternehmens lautet: Qualität vor Quantität. (The company's motto is: Quality over quantity.)
- (Motto) Er lebte stets nach der Devise seiner Großmutter. (He always lived by his grandmother's maxim.)
- (Currency) Der Staat kontrolliert den Handel mit Devisen streng. (The state strictly controls foreign currency trading.)
- (Currency) Für die Reise benötigen wir ausreichend Devisen. (We need sufficient foreign currency for the trip.)
🗣️ How to Use "die Devise"
The usage of die Devise strongly depends on its meaning:
- As a motto/slogan: Often used to express personal beliefs, company philosophies, or the theme of a campaign. It can sound a bit more formal or principled than the simpler German word *Motto*.
Context: Personal development, ethics, marketing, organizations.
Comparison: While *Motto* is often more everyday, *Devise* sometimes carries a stronger, guiding character.
- As foreign currency: Primarily used in economic, financial, and political contexts. You hear about *Devisenmärkte* (foreign exchange markets), *Devisenreserven* (foreign exchange reserves), *Devisenhandel* (foreign exchange trading), etc. The plural *Devisen* is very common here.
Context: International economy, banking, tourism (currency exchange), import/export.
⚠️ Pay attention to the context to avoid misunderstandings. If someone says "Das ist meine Devise", they rarely mean foreign money.
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Devise"
For the article (die): Imagine a wise DIVA (sounds like Die Devise) giving advice – SHE (pointing to feminine 'die') has a defining Devise (motto).
For the meanings: You need to devise a plan (motto = Devise 1) for your life, and to travel the world according to that plan, you need foreign Devisen (currency = Devise 2). Think of 'devise' for the motto and 'visa' (card) for the foreign money aspect.
↔️ Similar and Opposite Words
Synonyms
- For Motto/Slogan:
- For Foreign Currency:
- Fremdwährung (f) - Foreign currency
- Valuta (f) - Foreign currency (slightly dated)
- Ausländische Zahlungsmittel (n, Plural) - Foreign means of payment
Potential Confusion
Although the meanings are distinct, the dual nature of the word itself could theoretically cause confusion if the context isn't perfectly clear, but this is rare in practice.
😂 A Little Joke
Ein Tourist fragt am Bankschalter: "Können Sie mir meine Euros in eine exotische Devise umtauschen?"
Sagt der Bankangestellte: "Klar, wie wär's mit D-Mark?"
Translation: A tourist asks at the bank counter: "Can you exchange my Euros for an exotic foreign currency (Devise)?"
The bank clerk replies: "Sure, how about Deutsche Marks?"
✍️ Poem about "Devise"
Die Devise, klar und rein,
soll mein Lebenskompass sein.
Ein starker Spruch, ein heller Stern,
ich folge ihm, ach, nur zu gern.
Doch braucht man manchmal, fern der Heimat,
auch die Devise, fremde Mahat
(alte Münze, hier symbolisch für Geld),
die auf dem Weltmarkt Zinsen hat.
Zwei Worte gleich, doch welch ein Sinn,
mal Geisteshaltung, mal Gewinn.
Translation:
The motto (Devise), clear and pure,
shall be my life's compass, sure.
A strong maxim, a guiding star,
I follow it gladly, near and far.
But sometimes needed, far from home,
is foreign currency (Devise) to roam,
like ancient coins from foreign lands,
that earns interest in market hands.
Two words alike, yet meanings split,
One guides the mind, one yields a bit (of profit).
❓ Riddle
Ich bin ein Spruch, der dich leitet,
und Geld, das über Grenzen gleitet.
Mal bin ich Motto, mal Valuta,
stets feminin, na absolut-a!
Was bin ich? (Lösung/Solution: die Devise)
Translation:
I am a saying that guides you right,
And money that crosses borders bright.
Sometimes I'm a motto, sometimes currency's name,
Always feminine, that's my claim to fame!
What am I?
(Answer: die Devise)
🌐 Further Information
Etymology: The word "Devise" comes from the French word devise, which originally meant "division", "badge", or "motto". It derives from the verb deviser, meaning "to divide, arrange, devise". The meaning related to payment methods developed later, possibly via bills of exchange that contained specific instructions (*devises*).
Interesting fact: In the plural form *Devisen*, the financial meaning (foreign currencies) is far more dominant today than the meaning *several mottos*.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Devise?
The German word 'Devise' is always feminine, so the correct article is die Devise. It has two main meanings: 1. A motto or slogan. 2. Foreign currency or foreign exchange (often used in the plural 'Devisen').