die
Ehe
💍 What does "die Ehe" mean?
Die Ehe (noun, feminine) means marriage. It refers to the legally and/or socially recognized union between two people (traditionally a man and a woman, but now includes same-sex couples in many countries). It establishes mutual rights and obligations.
It represents a lasting relationship, often initiated with a ceremony (Hochzeit - wedding).
Example: Sie führen eine glückliche Ehe. (They have a happy marriage.)
⚠️ There's only this one main meaning for "die Ehe".
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 Ehe"
The word "Ehe" is a feminine noun. The article is die.
Declension Singular
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die Ehe | eine Ehe (a marriage) |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der Ehe | einer Ehe (of a marriage) |
| Dative (To whom?) | der Ehe | einer Ehe (to/for a marriage) |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die Ehe | eine Ehe (a marriage) |
Declension Plural
The plural of "Ehe" is "Ehen". It's used when talking about multiple marriages or different types of marriage.
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Ehen | - Ehen (marriages) |
| Genitive | der Ehen | - Ehen (of marriages) |
| Dative | den Ehen | - Ehen (to/for marriages) |
| Accusative | die Ehen | - Ehen (marriages) |
📝 Example Sentences
- Die Ehe zwischen Anna und Paul hält schon seit 20 Jahren. (The marriage between Anna and Paul has lasted for 20 years.)
- Das Ende der Ehe war schmerzhaft. (The end of the marriage was painful.)
- Er gab der Ehe noch eine Chance. (He gave the marriage another chance.)
- Sie schlossen die Ehe im kleinen Kreis. (They got married in a small circle. Lit: They concluded the marriage...)
- In diesem Land sind gleichgeschlechtliche Ehen erlaubt. (Same-sex marriages are permitted in this country.)
💡 Using "die Ehe" in Practice
"Die Ehe" is often used in formal, legal, and social contexts. It describes the state of being married.
- In conversation: "Ihre Ehe scheint sehr stabil zu sein." ("Their marriage seems very stable.")
- In documents: "Status: In Ehe lebend." ("Status: Living in matrimony.")
- Difference from "Hochzeit": Die Hochzeit is the wedding ceremony or the act of getting married, while die Ehe is the resulting state. You have a Hochzeit (event) and you lead or live in an Ehe (state).
- Expressions: "die Ehe schließen" (to get married), "in den Hafen der Ehe einlaufen" (lit. to sail into the harbor of marriage; to get married, often humorously), "eine wilde Ehe führen" (to live together unmarried, somewhat dated term), "die Ehe für alle" (marriage equality, lit. marriage for all).
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Ehe"
- Article Mnemonic: Many abstract nouns ending in "-e" in German are feminine (die): die Liebe (love), die Sorge (worry) – and also die Ehe. Think: "She has die Ehe." The 'e' sound at the end often links to 'die'.
- Meaning Mnemonic: "Ehe" sounds a bit like the English "eh?". Imagine asking someone surprisingly, "Eh? You're getting married?" This connects the sound to the concept of marriage (Ehe).
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms for "Ehe"
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Heirat: Often used synonymously, but emphasizes the act of marrying or the institution more.
- Ehebund: Slightly more formal, emphasizes the binding nature (Bund = bond, covenant).
- Bund fürs Leben: Poetic, idealistic (bond for life).
- Trauung: Refers specifically to the wedding ceremony.
- Vermählung: Elevated, somewhat archaic term for wedding/marriage.
⚠️ Watch out for confusion:
- Eher: Adverb meaning 'sooner' or 'rather' - sounds similar but is unrelated. (e.g., "Ich komme eher." - "I'll come sooner.")
😂 A Little Joke about Marriage
German: Fragt der Freund: "Und, wie gefällt dir die Ehe?" Antwortet der Frischverheiratete: "Super! Ich wusste gar nicht, dass man so viele Dinge falsch machen kann, bis ich geheiratet habe!" 😄
English: A friend asks: "So, how do you like married life?" The newlywed replies: "It's great! I never knew I could do so many things wrong until I got married!" 😄
📜 Poem about Marriage
German:
Zwei Herzen, ein Versprechen geben,
Die Ehe soll ein Leben weben.
Aus Ich und Du wird Wir gemacht,
Gemeinsam durch den Tag, die Nacht.
Mit Lachen, manchmal auch mit Streit,
Wächst Liebe über lange Zeit.
Ein Band, das hält, mal fest, mal lose,
Im Kern jedoch 'ne starke Kose.
English Translation:
Two hearts, a promise they impart,
Die Ehe (Marriage) weaves life like an art.
From 'I' and 'You', a 'We' is made,
Together through the light and shade.
With laughter, sometimes quarrels rise,
Love grows beneath the passing skies.
A bond that holds, sometimes feels loose,
But strong affection at its root.
❓ Riddle
German:
Ich bin ein Bund, oft fürs Leben gedacht,
Hab Ringe gebracht und manchen Vertrag gemacht.
Ich beginne mit Fest und großer Freud',
Und hoffe auf Treue für lange Zeit.
Was bin ich?
English:
I am a bond, often meant for life's span,
I've brought rings and many a legal plan.
I start with a party and great delight,
And hope for faithfulness, long and bright.
What am I?
Solution: die Ehe (marriage)
📌 Other Information about "Ehe"
- Word Origin: The word "Ehe" comes from the Old High German word "ēwa", which originally meant "law", "contract", or even "eternity". This reflects the legal and enduring nature attributed to marriage.
- Compound Words: There are many German compound words with "Ehe", for example:
- Ehepartner/-in (spouse)
- Ehering (wedding ring)
- Ehevertrag (prenuptial agreement)
- Eheleben (married life)
- Eheberatung (marriage counseling)
- Eheversprechen (wedding vows)
- Cultural Significance: Marriage (die Ehe) holds significant social and often religious importance in Germany and many other cultures, although forms and understandings of marriage continue to evolve over time.
Summary: is it der, die or das Ehe?
The German word "Ehe" (marriage) is feminine. The correct article is always die. Use: die Ehe (Nominative/Accusative Singular), der Ehe (Genitive/Dative Singular), die Ehen (Nominative/Accusative Plural).