die  Flamme

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈflamə/

🔥 What does 'die Flamme' mean?

The German word die Flamme has several meanings:

• Literal: The visible, gaseous part of a fire that emits light and heat; a flame. Example: Die Kerze brannte mit ruhiger Flamme. (The candle burned with a steady flame.)
• Figurative (Emotion): A strong feeling, especially passion, enthusiasm, or anger. Example: Die Flamme der Liebe erlosch langsam. (The flame of love slowly died out.)
• Figurative (Person, colloquial): A former or current girlfriend or sweetheart (often as alte Flamme - old flame). Example: Er traf zufällig seine alte Flamme wieder. (He bumped into his old flame again by chance.)

🚨 Pay attention to the context to understand the correct meaning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar in Detail: Die Flamme

The noun Flamme is feminine. Its definite article is die. Here’s its declension:

💡 Example Sentences

1. Die Flamme des Bunsenbrenners war blau. (The flame of the Bunsen burner was blue.) - Literal
2. Eine Flamme der Begeisterung ergriff die Menge. (A flame of enthusiasm gripped the crowd.) - Figurative: Emotion
3. Ist das deine neue Flamme? (Is that your new flame/girlfriend?) - Figurative: Person
4. Das Feuer breitete sich mit riesigen Flammen aus. (The fire spread with huge flames.) - Plural, literal

Context and Usage of 'Flamme'

How you use die Flamme depends heavily on the context:

• Literal Meaning: Often used when describing fire, candles, campfires, welding, etc. (e.g., Die Flammen schlugen aus dem Dachstuhl. - The flames burst from the roof truss.)
• Figurative Meaning (Emotion): Common in literature, poetry, or when expressing strong feelings. (e.g., in Flammen stehen - to be 'on fire' with enthusiasm or anger).
• Figurative Meaning (Person): This is more colloquial and can sound affectionate, teasing, or slightly dismissive depending on the situation. Mostly used for past relationships ("alte Flamme" - old flame).

Comparison:

• Feuer (das): Refers to the entire combustion process (fire), not just the visible, glowing part.
• Glut (die): Describes glowing material without visible flames (embers).
• Brand (der): A large, often destructive fire.

🧠 Memory Aids for 'die Flamme'

For the Article: Think of 'flame' itself. Flames often dance elegantly, which can be associated with feminine (die) qualities. Or link it to die Leidenschaft (passion), a common figurative meaning of Flamme.

For the Meaning: The English word 'flame' is very similar to the German Flamme, making it easy to remember the core meaning. Just remember the feminine article 'die'.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Sounding Words (Not Related):

• Flamingo (der): A bird (flamingo).
• Flanell (der): A type of fabric (flannel).

😄 A Little Joke

German: Warum sind Flammen so schlecht im Versteckspielen? – Weil sie immer wieder aufflammen!

English: Why are flames so bad at hide-and-seek? – Because they always flare up (aufflammen also means 'to flare up')! 🔥

📜 Poem about the Flame

German:

Klein und zart, ein Licht im Dunkel,
mal ruhig, mal wildes Gefunkel.
Die Flamme tanzt, verzehrt und scheint,
hat Wärme und Gefahr vereint.
Mal Leidenschaft, mal Zornesglut,
gibt Hoffnung und nimmt Lebensmut.

English Translation:

Small and tender, a light in the dark,
Sometimes calm, sometimes a wild spark.
The flame dances, consumes, and gleams,
Uniting warmth and danger, it seems.
Sometimes passion, sometimes wrath's ember,
Gives hope and takes life's courage, remember.

🧩 Little Riddle

German:

Ich tanze und leuchte, doch habe kein Bein,
ich wärme dich gern, doch fass mich nicht an, sonst tut's weh – ganz gemein!
Ich lebe vom Wind, doch er kann mich auch jagen,
was bin ich, kannst du es sagen?

English:

I dance and I glow, but have no leg to stand,
I gladly warm you, but don't touch me with your hand – it hurts, understand!
I live from the wind, though it can chase me away,
What am I, can you say?

Solution: Die Flamme (The flame)

More Interesting Facts

Word Compounds (Wortzusammensetzungen):

Flamme is part of many compound words, e.g.:

• Stichflamme (die): A jet of flame, flash fire.
• Gasflamme (die): Gas flame.
• Sparflamme (die): A low flame (also figuratively: on the back burner, with reduced effort).
• Flammenwerfer (der): Flamethrower.

Etymology:

The word Flamme comes from the Latin word flamma, which has the same meaning.