die  Eile

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaɪ̯lə/

🏃‍♀️ What does "die Eile" mean?

Die Eile (feminine noun) describes a state of great haste, hurry, speed, or urgency. It refers to the feeling or necessity of doing something quickly or moving quickly, often under time pressure.

• Main meaning: State of haste, urgency, speed.

⚠️ Attention: The word is almost exclusively used in the singular. The plural form "die Eilen" is extremely rare and uncommon.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📖 Grammar in Detail: die Eile

The noun "Eile" is feminine. Here is the declension in the singular:

Plural: As mentioned, a plural form ("die Eilen") is very unusual and not used in practice.

Example Sentences

1. In seiner Eile vergaß er die Schlüssel. (In his hurry, he forgot the keys.)
2. Große Eile war geboten, um den Zug noch zu erreichen. (Great haste was required to still catch the train.)
3. Wegen der Eile machte er viele Fehler. (Because of the haste, he made many mistakes.)
4. Sie spürte die Eile der anderen Pendler. (She felt the hurry of the other commuters.)

💡 How to use "die Eile"?

"Eile" is often used in fixed expressions:

• in Eile sein: To be in a hurry. Example: Entschuldigung, ich bin gerade sehr in Eile. (Sorry, I'm in a big hurry right now.)
• Eile geboten sein: Haste is required, it's urgent. Example: Bei diesem Notfall ist höchste Eile geboten. (In this emergency, utmost haste is required.)
• keine Eile haben: To be in no hurry, to have time. Example: Wir haben keine Eile, lass uns noch einen Kaffee trinken. (We're in no hurry, let's have another coffee.)
• etwas in aller Eile tun: To do something in a great hurry, often hastily. Example: Er packte seinen Koffer in aller Eile. (He packed his suitcase in a great hurry.)
• Saying: "Eile mit Weile." – Literally "Haste with while/leisure." Meaning: Make haste slowly; more haste, less speed. It advises doing things quickly but not rashly or carelessly.

The term often describes subjectively felt or objectively necessary time pressure.

🧠 Memory Aids for "die Eile"

Article Mnemonic: Think of a queen ('Die Königin') who is always rushed and in a hurry ('in Eile') – so 'Die Eile' is feminine, like 'die Königin'.

Meaning Mnemonic: 'Eile' sounds a bit like the English word 'isle'. Imagine you are rushing (in Eile) to catch the last ferry to a beautiful isle.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Eile

⚠️ Similar Words:

• eilig (adjective): (hurried, urgent) Describes something happening with haste or someone being in a hurry (e.g., eine eilige Nachricht - an urgent message, er ist eilig - he is in a hurry).
• eilen (verb): (to hurry, to rush) To hurry, to go or drive quickly (e.g., wir müssen eilen - we must hurry).

😄 A Little Joke about Eile

German: Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Na, schon eingelebt?" Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "Ja, Chef, ich bin schon so schnell, ich mache die Arbeit von morgen bereits heute!" Chef: "Sehr gut! Aber bitte keine Fehler machen in der Eile!" Mitarbeiter: "Keine Sorge, die korrigiere ich dann übermorgen!"

English Translation: The boss asks the new employee: "Well, settled in yet?" The employee replies: "Yes, boss, I'm already so fast, I'm doing tomorrow's work today!" Boss: "Very good! But please don't make any mistakes in your haste ('in der Eile')!" Employee: "Don't worry, I'll correct them the day after tomorrow!"

✍️ Poem about Eile (Haste)

German:
Die Uhr, sie tickt, kennt keine Rast,
im Herzen wohnt oft große Hast.
Die Eile treibt uns, fort und fort,
von einem Ort zum nächsten Ort.

Man rennt und hetzt, vergisst das Sein,
lässt kaum noch Sonnenstrahlen rein.
Doch halt mal inne, nimm dir Zeit,
fern aller Hast und Eiligkeit.

English Translation:
The clock, it ticks, knows no rest,
within the heart, great haste does nest.
The hurry (Die Eile) drives us, forth and forth,
from one place to the next place's berth.

We run and rush, forget to be,
let hardly sunshine in, you see.
But pause a moment, take some time,
far from all haste and hurried climb.

❓ Riddle

German:
Ich habe keine Füße, doch treibe dich an.
Ich habe keine Stimme, doch sag dir "Schnell, Mann!"
Bin oft ungebeten, wenn Zeit wird knapp,
wer mich hat, macht manches schlapp.

Was bin ich?
(Lösung: die Eile)

English Translation:
I have no feet, yet I drive you on.
I have no voice, yet tell you "Quick, man!"
I'm often uninvited when time is tight,
whoever has me, might make things slight (or: wear things out).

What am I?
(Answer: die Eile / haste, hurry)

🧩 Further Information

• Word Formation: The noun Eile is derived from the verb eilen (to hurry).
• Cultural Aspects: The German proverb "Eile mit Weile" (Make haste slowly) reflects a cultural reminder not to neglect carefulness despite urgency. Punctuality and fast work (sometimes interpreted as Eile) are highly valued in German culture compared to some others.
• Compounds: Sometimes part of compound words like Eilentscheidung (urgent decision), Eilverfahren (summary proceedings), Eilpost (express mail).