die
Drehung
🔄 What does 'die Drehung' mean?
Die Drehung (noun, feminine) describes the movement of an object or body around an axis or a point. It means 'turn', 'rotation', or 'spin'. It can refer to a complete revolution (360 degrees) or a partial turn.
- Physical movement: The act of moving in a circle, e.g., in dancing (Tanzen), sports (Sport), or with technical devices (technische Geräte).
- Change of direction: A turn or change in orientation (Ausrichtung).
- Figuratively: A twist or turn in a situation or narrative (often expressed as 'Wendung', but 'Drehung' can sometimes be used similarly depending on context).
Because the word ends in '-ung', it is feminine (die Drehung), which is a common rule for nouns derived from verbs (here: drehen - to turn).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
📚 Grammar of 'die Drehung' in Detail
'Die Drehung' is a feminine noun.
Declension (Deklination):
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Drehung |
| Genitive | der | Drehung |
| Dative | der | Drehung |
| Accusative | die | Drehung |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Drehungen |
| Genitive | der | Drehungen |
| Dative | den | Drehungen |
| Accusative | die | Drehungen |
Example Sentences (Beispielsätze):
- Die Ballerina machte eine elegante Drehung. (The ballerina made an elegant turn.)
- Die Drehung des Schlüssels im Schloss war schwierig. (The turning of the key in the lock was difficult.)
- Nach mehreren Drehungen wurde ihm schwindelig. (He got dizzy after several rotations/spins.)
- Die Drehung des Windrades erzeugt Energie. (The rotation of the wind turbine generates energy.)
💡 How to use 'die Drehung'?
'Die Drehung' is used in various contexts:
- Sports & Dance (Sport & Tanz): Describes pirouettes, jumps with rotation, or body rotations (e.g., gymnastics - Turnen, figure skating - Eiskunstlauf). Example: Die Turnerin zeigte eine perfekte Drehung um die Längsachse. (The gymnast showed a perfect rotation around the longitudinal axis.)
- Technology & Mechanics (Technik & Mechanik): Refers to the rotation of machine parts, engines, wheels, etc. Example: Die Drehung der Kurbelwelle treibt den Motor an. (The rotation of the crankshaft drives the engine.)
- Physics & Mathematics (Physik & Mathematik): Denotes rotation around a point or axis, often specifying an angle. Example: Eine Drehung um 90 Grad. (A rotation by 90 degrees.)
- Everyday Life (Alltag): Simple turns or the turning of objects. Example: Eine leichte Drehung des Kopfes genügte. (A slight turn of the head was enough.)
- Figuratively (less common than 'Wendung'): Can describe an unexpected development. Example: Die Handlung nahm eine überraschende Drehung. (The plot took a surprising turn.)
Comparison: 'Die Drehung' is more specific than 'die Bewegung' (movement). 'Die Rotation' is a very close synonym, often preferred in technical or scientific contexts. 'Die Wendung' often emphasizes a change of direction or a plot twist.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'Drehung'
Article Mnemonic (die): Think of words ending in '-ung' like 'Achtung' (attention) or 'Zeitung' (newspaper) – they are mostly feminine. So, die Drehung fits the pattern!
Meaning Mnemonic (turn/rotation): Imagine someone getting dray (sounds like 'Dreh') and dizzy from spinning around – that's a Drehung (turn/rotation).
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Synonyme - similar meaning):
- Die Rotation: Very similar, often used in technical/scientific contexts.
- Die Wendung: Can mean a turn, but often emphasizes change of direction or a twist (also figurative).
- Die Umdrehung: Usually refers to a full 360° rotation/revolution.
- Der Schwenk / Die Schwenkung: Often used for panning cameras or moving levers/arms.
- Das Kreisen: Describes moving in a circle, not necessarily spinning on an axis.
Antonyms (Antonyme - opposite meaning):
- Der Stillstand: Standstill, lack of movement.
- Die Geradlinigkeit / Die Linearität: Movement in a straight line, without turning.
- Die Ruhe: Rest, state without motion.
⚠️ Similar but misleading words:
- Die Drohung: Sounds similar, but means 'threat'. Don't mix them up!
😄 A Little Joke
German: Frage: Was sagt ein Karussellpferd nach der Arbeit? Antwort: "Mir ist von den vielen Drehungen ganz schwindelig!"
English: Question: What does a carousel horse say after work? Answer: "I'm dizzy from all the turns (Drehungen)!"
✍️ Poem about 'Drehung'
German:
Ein Kreisel tanzt, welch schnelle Drehung,
Im Kreis herum, fast ohne Regung.
Die Welt verschwimmt in bunter Pracht,
Bis er zur Ruhe sanft erwacht.
So dreht sich manches im Leben fort,
An diesem oder jenem Ort.
English:
A spinning top dances, what a quick turn,
Around in circles, hardly a concern.
The world blurs by in colorful might,
Until it gently comes to rest at night.
Thus many things in life keep turning past,
In this place or another, built to last.
🧩 A Little Riddle
German:
Ich habe keine Beine, doch tanze ich im Kreis.
Mal schnell, mal langsam, wie es die Achse weiß.
Ein Schlüssel macht mich oft, ein Tänzer liebt mich sehr.
Was bin ich, sag es schnell, es ist nicht gar so schwer!
English:
I have no legs, yet I dance in a ring.
Sometimes fast, sometimes slow, as the axis may bring.
A key often makes me, a dancer loves me true.
What am I? Say it quick, it's not hard to construe!
Solution (Lösung): Die Drehung (the turn/rotation)
💡 Other Information
Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):
'Die Drehung' is derived from the verb drehen (to turn, to rotate) by adding the suffix -ung. This suffix is frequently used to form nouns from verbs, describing the process or result of the action. These nouns are typically feminine (feminin).
Examples: warnen (to warn) -> die Warnung (the warning), bewegen (to move) -> die Bewegung (the movement), hoffen (to hope) -> die Hoffnung (the hope).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Drehung?
The word 'Drehung' is always feminine. The correct article is die Drehung.