die
Feige
🍑 What does "die Feige" mean? Two Sides of a Coin!
The word die Feige has two main meanings in German, which couldn't be more different:
- The sweet fruit: 🌳 *Die Feige* is the edible fruit of the fig tree (*Ficus carica*). It's known for its sweetness and its many small seeds inside. You can enjoy it fresh or dried. Example: Im Sommer esse ich gerne frische Feigen mit Ziegenkäse. (In summer, I like to eat fresh figs with goat cheese.)
- A fearful person (derogatory): 😨 *Die Feige* can also refer to a person considered anxious, lacking courage, or simply *feige* (cowardly). This usage is rather derogatory and less common than the noun *der Feigling* (the coward) or the adjective *feige*. It can sometimes be used as the feminine form corresponding to *der Feigling*. Example: Sie nannte ihn eine Feige, weil er nicht für seine Meinung einstand. (She called him a coward because he didn't stand up for his opinion.) ⚠️ *Caution: This meaning is rare and can be perceived as outdated or very derogatory. More common are* der Feigling *(for men and generally) or the adjective* feige.
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.
Fruit → mostly feminine.
Caution, exception: das Obst
The Grammar of "die Feige": An Insight
The noun *Feige* is feminine. Therefore, the article is *die*. Here is the declension:
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die | Feige |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der | Feige |
| Dative (To whom?) | der | Feige |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die | Feige |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Feigen |
| Genitive | der | Feigen |
| Dative | den | Feigen |
| Accusative | die | Feigen |
Example Sentences for Grammar
- Nominative: Die Feige schmeckt süß.
(The fig tastes sweet.) / Man sagt, sie sei eine Feige.
(They say she is a coward.) - Genitive: Der Geschmack der Feige ist intensiv.
(The taste of the fig is intense.) / Das Zögern der Feige war offensichtlich.
(The hesitation of the coward was obvious.) - Dative: Ich gebe der Feige noch etwas Zeit zu reifen.
(I give the fig some more time to ripen.) / Er half der Feige nicht.
(He didn't help the coward.) - Accusative: Ich sehe die Feige am Baum hängen.
(I see the fig hanging on the tree.) / Niemand mag die Feige.
(Nobody likes the coward.)
When to use "die Feige"? Usage in Context
The use of *die Feige* heavily depends on its meaning:
- As a fruit: 🍑 Absolutely common in the context of food, cooking, gardening, or botany. When talking about the fruit or the tree, *die Feige* is the correct and neutral term. Contexts: Recipes, shopping, nutrition, biology.
- As a person: 😨 As mentioned, this meaning is rarer and often derogatory. You'll find it more in literary texts or highly emotional arguments. In everyday life, the adjective *feige* (*He is cowardly*) or the noun *der Feigling* (*He is a coward*) are usually used. Using *die Feige* to describe a person can seem outdated. Contexts: Arguments, moral judgment (often negative), literature.
Important: The adjective feige (lowercase) means *cowardly* or *fainthearted* and is very common. Example: Ein feiger Angriff. (A cowardly attack.)
Never Forget: Mnemonics for "die Feige"
Article Mnemonic (die)
Imagine: She ('die' is the feminine article) is too *feeble* (sounds like Feige) to be brave, so *she* is die Feige (coward). Or for the fruit: *She* loves the sweet fruit, *die* Feige.
Meaning Mnemonic (Fruit vs. Coward)
Think of the fruit: it's *soft* and sweet. Think of the coward (*die Feige*): they are metaphorically *soft* and lack a backbone. Both are soft in a way, both can be *die Feige*.
Similar and Opposite Words for "Feige"
Synonyms (Similar Words)
- For the fruit: (Hardly any direct synonyms for the specific fruit. Sometimes generally referred to as *Südfrüchte* - southern fruits.)
- For the person (coward):
- Der Feigling (more common)
- Die Memme (derogatory, sissy/wimp)
- Der Angsthase (colloquial, scaredy-cat)
- Der Hasenfuß (colloquial, scaredy-cat)
- Der Drückeberger (shirker, dodger - more about avoiding duties)
Risk of Confusion?
Be careful not to confuse the noun die Feige (capitalized) with the adjective feige (lowercase). The adjective describes the quality ("Er ist feige" - He is cowardly), while the noun refers to the fruit or (less commonly) the person.
A Little Joke about the Feige 😉
German: Warum hat die Feige Angst vor dem Obstkorb?
Weil sie nicht mit den harten Äpfeln abhängen will – sie ist halt eine Feige! 🤷♀️
English Translation: Why is the fig scared of the fruit basket?
Because it doesn't want to hang out with the hard apples – it's just a coward (Feige)! 🤷♀️
Poem about the Feige
German:
Die Feige, süß und weich im Mund,
am Baum im Süden, prall und rund.
Doch heißt so auch, wer Angst nur kennt,
und vor der Wahrheit schnell wegrennt.
Zwei Worte gleich, doch Sinn so fern,
die Frucht hat jeder doch so gern!
English Translation:
The fig, sweet and soft in the mouth,
on the tree in the south, plump and round.
But it also names one who knows only fear,
and quickly runs away from truth held dear.
Two words the same, yet meaning far apart,
the fruit is loved by every heart!
Little Riddle
German:
Ich habe eine süße Haut und viele Kerne klein,
doch nennst du jemanden so, ist's gar nicht fein.
Ich wachse auf dem Baum, doch steh' auch für den Zagen.
Mit Artikel "die", wer kann mir meinen Namen sagen?
English Translation:
I have sweet skin and many small seeds inside,
but if you call someone this, it's not done with pride.
I grow on a tree, but also stand for the meek.
With the article "die", what is the name that you seek?
Solution: die Feige (the fig / the coward)
Interesting Facts about "die Feige"
- Etymology: The German word *Feige* comes from the Latin word ficus.
- Das Feigenblatt (The Fig Leaf): The German expression *"etwas mit einem Feigenblatt bedecken"* means *to cover up something unpleasant or offensive inadequately or superficially*. It refers to the biblical story of Adam and Eve covering their nakedness with fig leaves.
- Feigenbaum: The tree on which figs grow is called *der Feigenbaum* (the fig tree).
Summary: is it der, die or das Feige?
The word "Feige" is always feminine. The correct article is die Feige, used for both the fruit and (less commonly) for a cowardly person.