die
Figur
🧐 What does "die Figur" mean?
The word die Figur (feminine) has several meanings in German:
- Body shape/figure: The external shape of a person or animal. Often used in the context of appearance or fitness. Example: Sie achtet sehr auf ihre Figur. (She pays close attention to her figure.)
- Character/Person: A person in a literary work, film, or play. Example: Die Hauptfigur des Romans ist sehr komplex. (The main character of the novel is very complex.)
- Figurine/Piece/Statue: A (often small) representation of a person or animal, e.g., a chess piece, a toy figure, or an artistic representation. Example: Auf dem Schachbrett fehlen zwei Figuren. (Two pieces are missing on the chessboard.) Die Statue stellt eine mythologische Figur dar. (The statue depicts a mythological figure.)
- Geometric shape: A geometric form or pattern. Example: Zeichne eine geometrische Figur. (Draw a geometric figure.)
- Idiomatic expression: In fixed phrases, e.g., "eine gute/schlechte Figur machen" (to cut a good/poor figure, i.e., make a good/bad impression). Example: Er hat bei der Präsentation eine gute Figur gemacht. (He made a good impression during the presentation.)
⚠️ Although there are many meanings, the article is always die.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ur/-ür → mostly feminine.
Caution: -eur nouns are usually masculine (e.g. der Ingenieur).
📝 Grammar of "die Figur" in Detail
Die Figur is a feminine noun. Here are the declension tables:
Singular Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Figur |
| Genitive | der | Figur |
| Dative | der | Figur |
| Accusative | die | Figur |
Plural Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Figuren |
| Genitive | der | Figuren |
| Dative | den | Figuren |
| Accusative | die | Figuren |
Example Sentences for Grammar
- Nominative Singular: Die Figur auf dem Sockel ist beeindruckend.
(The figure on the pedestal is impressive.) - Genitive Singular: Die Entwicklung der Figur im Roman ist spannend.
(The development of the character in the novel is exciting.) - Dative Singular: Ich gebe der Figur einen neuen Anstrich.
(I'm giving the figure a new coat of paint.) - Accusative Singular: Er bewundert die Figur der Tänzerin.
(He admires the dancer's figure.) - Nominative Plural: Die Figuren auf dem Schachbrett sind kunstvoll geschnitzt.
(The figures/pieces on the chessboard are artistically carved.) - Accusative Plural: Der Autor beschreibt die Figuren sehr detailliert.
(The author describes the characters in great detail.)
💡 How to use "die Figur"?
The usage of die Figur heavily depends on the context:
- Body: When talking about appearance or fitness, "Figur" refers to the body shape. ("Sie hat eine tolle Figur." - She has a great figure.)
- Arts & Literature: In discussions about books, films, or plays, "Figur" denotes a character. ("Hamlet ist eine tragische Figur." - Hamlet is a tragic figure.)
- Games & Art: Refers to physical objects like game pieces, statues, or sculptures. ("Stell die Figur auf das Feld." - Place the piece on the square.)
- Geometry: In a mathematical context for shapes. ("Diese Figur ist ein Dreieck." - This figure is a triangle.)
- Idioms: "Eine gute Figur machen" is a very common idiom for making a positive impression.
Differentiation from similar words:
- Gestalt: Similar to Figur (body shape), but often a bit vaguer or more encompassing, can also mean the general appearance.
- Person: Refers to a real human being, whereas "Figur" is often fictional or a representation (except when referring to body shape).
- Charakter: Emphasizes the personality traits of a literary figure more.
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Figur"
For the article 'die': Think of "Die Figure" - the 'e' sound at the end might remind you of the feminine article 'die'. Or associate it with feminine concepts: She (die) has a nice figure.
For the meanings: Imagine an artist (die Künstlerin) modeling a Figur (statue/figurine) of a dancer with a great Figur (body shape), who is also the main Figur (character) in her favorite book, using geometric Figuren (shapes) as a base.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (similar words):
- For body shape: die Gestalt (shape, form), die Statur (stature), die Silhouette (silhouette), der Körperbau (physique)
- For character/person (literature/film): der Charakter (character), die Person (person), die Rolle (role), die Gestalt (figure, character)
- For piece/statue: die Spielfigur (game piece), die Statue (statue), die Skulptur (sculpture), die Plastik (sculpture), das Standbild (statue), der Stein (stone, piece in board games)
- For geometric shape: die Form (shape), das Gebilde (structure, shape)
Antonyms (opposite words):
- For character/figure in the foreground: der Hintergrund (background), die Masse (masses, crowd), die Statisten (extras)
- For concrete shape: die Formlosigkeit (formlessness), das Chaos (chaos) (depending on context)
- For gute Figur (idiom): eine schlechte Figur machen (to make a bad impression)
Potential for confusion:
- die Ziffer: Means 'digit' (0-9), not 'figure' in the sense of a number or illustration.
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Trainer den Boxer: "Na, wie war die erste Runde?"
Sagt der Boxer: "Super! Ich habe eine tolle Figur abgegeben – leider auf der Matte."
English Translation:
The coach asks the boxer: "Well, how was the first round?"
The boxer says: "Great! I cut a great figure – unfortunately, it was on the mat." (Play on words: "eine Figur abgeben" can mean to cut a figure/look good, but here implies falling down.)
📜 Poem about die Figur
Ob schlank, ob rund, ob groß, ob klein,
die Figur, sie soll uns freu'n.
Im Buch ein Held, kühn und gewandt,
als Spielfigur fest in der Hand.
Am Brett gezogen, Zug um Zug,
im Film geliebt, wer weiß wie klug?
Aus Stein gehauen, stolz und sacht,
die Figur hat viele Seiten, gib gut Acht!
English Translation:
Whether slim, or round, or big, or small,
the figure, it should bring joy to all.
In books a hero, bold and deft,
as a game piece firmly held, nothing left.
Moved on the board, move by move,
loved in film, who knows how shrewd?
Carved from stone, proud and gentle might,
the figure has many sides, pay attention right!
🧩 Little Riddle
Ich kann deine Form beschreiben,
auf dem Schachbrett mich zeigen.
Im Roman lebe ich,
bin oft aus Holz, Stein oder dich.
Was bin ich?
Lösung: die Figur
English Translation:
I can describe your shape,
show myself on the chessboard's landscape.
In novels I live,
I'm often made of wood, stone, or even give
a sense of you.
What am I?
Solution: die Figur (the figure/character/piece)
✨ More Information
Etymology (Word Origin):
The word "Figur" comes from the Latin word figūra, meaning "shape, form, figure". It has been used in German since Middle High German times.
Interesting Phrases:
- eine traurige Figur abgeben: to cut a sorry figure, make a pitiful impression.
- eine gute Figur machen: to cut a fine figure, make a good impression, look good, or perform well.
- Schlüsselfigur: a key figure, a central, important person in a specific context (e.g., in politics, in a story).
Summary: is it der, die or das Figur?
The word "Figur" is always feminine. The correct article is die Figur. It has various meanings, such as body shape, character, or game piece, but the article consistently remains 'die'.