die
Familie
👨👩👧👦 What does "die Familie" mean?
Die Familie (noun, feminine) primarily refers to a social group typically consisting of parents and children. However, the term can be broader:
- Nuclear family (Kernfamilie): Parents and their (immediate) children.
- Extended family (Erweiterte Familie): Also includes grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, etc. (Verwandtschaft - relatives).
- Social group: People connected by marriage, descent, or adoption, often living together or having a close emotional bond.
- Biology: A taxonomic rank in biological classification, above genus and below order (e.g., die Familie der Katzenartigen - the cat family).
- Metaphorical: A group of things or people with common characteristics or origins (e.g., eine Sprachfamilie - a language family, die Unternehmensfamilie - the company family).
⚠️ In German, the article used for Familie is almost exclusively die.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ie → almost always feminine.
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
The Grammar of "Familie" 🧐
The word "Familie" is a feminine noun. It is always used with the article die.
Declension of die Familie
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Familie |
| Genitive | der | Familie |
| Dative | der | Familie |
| Accusative | die | Familie |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Familien |
| Genitive | der | Familien |
| Dative | den | Familien |
| Accusative | die | Familien |
Example Sentences
- Die Familie plant einen gemeinsamen Urlaub. (The family is planning a holiday together.)
- Das Wohl der Familie steht an erster Stelle. (The well-being of the family comes first.)
- Ich helfe der Familie beim Umzug. (I am helping the family with the move.)
- Er liebt seine Familie über alles. (He loves his family more than anything.)
- Viele Familien besuchen den Zoo am Wochenende. (Many families visit the zoo on the weekend.)
- Die Geschichte der Familien in dieser Stadt ist lang. (The history of the families in this town is long.)
- Die Stadt bietet Unterstützung für Familien mit geringem Einkommen. (The city offers support for families with low income.)
- Wir haben alle Familien zum Fest eingeladen. (We invited all the families to the party.)
How to use "Familie"? 💬
"Die Familie" is a very common word in German and is used in many contexts:
- Everyday language: When talking about one's own parents, siblings, or children ("Meine Familie kommt zu Besuch" - My family is coming to visit).
- Sociology & Politics: In the context of family structures, family policies, social support, etc. ("Die Rolle der Familie in der Gesellschaft wandelt sich." - The role of the family in society is changing.).
- Biology: For classifying living organisms ("Der Löwe gehört zur Familie der Katzen." - The lion belongs to the cat family.).
- Metaphorical meanings: Sometimes the term is used metaphorically to describe a close-knit community ("Wir sind hier wie eine große Familie" - We are like one big family here, "Die Mafia-Familie" - The Mafia family).
Comparison:
- Familie vs. Verwandtschaft: "Familie" often refers more closely to the nuclear family or household, while "Verwandtschaft" includes all blood relatives and relatives by marriage.
- Familie vs. Sippe: "Sippe" is an older term, often denoting a larger clan or lineage, and is less common today, sometimes sounding slightly pejorative.
Remembering "die Familie" 💡
Article Mnemonic (die)
Think of die Mama (the mom) or die Oma (the grandma) – central female figures in many families. This helps remember the feminine article die for Familie.
Meaning Mnemonic
The word Familie sounds very similar to the English word "family". Both derive from the Latin "familia". If you know English, the meaning is easy to grasp.
Word Connections: Synonyms & Antonyms 🔄
Synonyms (Similar Words)
- Verwandtschaft: Relatives, often extending beyond the nuclear family.
- Angehörige: Members (of the family), relatives.
- Sippe: (Rather dated or for larger clans) Kin, clan.
- Hausgemeinschaft: Household community, people living together (may or may not be family).
Antonyms (Opposites)
- Einzelgänger/in: Loner.
- Single: A single, unattached person.
- Individuum: Individual (emphasizing the person over the group).
Similar but Different Words
- Firma: A company or firm. Sometimes people talk metaphorically about the "Firmenfamilie" (company family), but the meaning is distinct.
A Little Joke 😄
German: Fragt Klein Erna ihre Mutter: "Mama, kommen eigentlich alle Märchen mit den Worten 'Es war einmal...' an?" Mutter: "Nein, mein Kind. Manche fangen auch an mit: 'Schatz, ich muss heute leider länger im Büro bleiben...'"
English Translation: Little Erna asks her mother: "Mom, do all fairy tales really begin with 'Once upon a time...'?" Mother: "No, my child. Some also start with: 'Honey, unfortunately I have to stay late at the office today...'"
Poem about Family 📜
German:
Die Familie, ein starkes Band,
Hält uns zusammen, Hand in Hand.
Durch Freud und Leid, durch Sturm und Wind,
Wo Liebe wohnt, ein jedes Kind
Geborgenheit und Wärme spürt,
Ein Ort, der Herz und Seele rührt.
English Translation:
The family, a strong bond,
Holds us together, hand in hand.
Through joy and sorrow, through storm and wind,
Where love resides, every child
Feels security and warmth,
A place that touches heart and soul.
A Little Riddle 🤔
German:
Ich bin ein Kreis, mal klein, mal groß,
Mal laut und bunt, mal still im Schoß.
Ich wachse, ändre mich mit Zeit,
Biete Schutz und Geborgenheit.
Wer oder was bin ich?
Lösung: die Familie
English Translation:
I am a circle, sometimes small, sometimes large,
Sometimes loud and colorful, sometimes quiet in the lap.
I grow, change with time,
Offer protection and security.
Who or what am I?
Solution: the family
Other Interesting Facts 🤓
- Etymology: The word "Familie" comes from the Latin word familia, which originally referred to the household community including slaves.
- Compound Words: There are many compound words (Komposita) with "Familie" in German, e.g.: Familienstand (marital status), Familienfeier (family celebration), Familienauto (family car), Familienname (family name/surname), Familienplanung (family planning), Familienzuwachs (new addition to the family), Familientreffen (family reunion).
- Social Significance: The definition and structure of family have changed significantly throughout history and across cultures, and remain diverse today (e.g., Regenbogenfamilien - rainbow families, Patchworkfamilien - patchwork/blended families).
Summary: is it der, die or das Familie?
The German word for 'family' is die Familie. It is a feminine noun, so it always uses the article 'die' (in the nominative singular case).