die
Flanke
📖 What does "die Flanke" mean?
The word die Flanke (feminine) has several meanings, mostly referring to a side:
- Physical 💪: The side of the abdomen or torso in humans and animals. Example: Er spürte einen Schmerz in der linken Flanke. (He felt a pain in his left flank/side.)
- Military/Strategic 🛡️: The side of a military formation, army, or position. Attacks on the flank are often considered tactically advantageous. Example: Der Feind versuchte, uns in die Flanke zu fallen. (The enemy tried to attack our flank.)
- Sports (especially football/soccer) ⚽: A high ball kicked from the side of the field towards the goal (often as a setup for a header or shot). Example: Eine präzise Flanke führte zum Torerfolg. (A precise cross/flank led to the goal.)
- Butchery 🥩: A specific cut of meat from the side/belly area of cattle (flank steak). Example: Zum Grillen kaufte er eine schöne Flanke. (He bought a nice flank steak for grilling.)
- Architecture/Geography ⛰️: The side of a mountain or a building. Example: Die steile Flanke des Berges war schwer zu erklimmen. (The steep flank/side of the mountain was hard to climb.)
🚨 Although it only takes the article "die", understanding the context is crucial to grasp the correct meaning.
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.
📊 Grammar in Detail: Die Flanke
Die Flanke is a feminine noun.
Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Flanke |
| Genitive | der | Flanke |
| Dative | der | Flanke |
| Accusative | die | Flanke |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Flanken |
| Genitive | der | Flanken |
| Dative | den | Flanken |
| Accusative | die | Flanken |
Example Sentences
- (Body) Nach dem Sport tat ihm die rechte Flanke weh. (His right flank/side hurt after exercising.)
- (Military) Die Truppen sicherten ihre Flanken gegen einen Überraschungsangriff. (The troops secured their flanks against a surprise attack.)
- (Sport) Der Spieler schlug eine scharfe Flanke von der Außenbahn. (The player hit a sharp cross/flank from the wing.)
- (Meat) Die marinierte Flanke lag schon auf dem Grill. (The marinated flank steak was already on the grill.)
- (Geography) An der südlichen Flanke des Hügels wächst Wein. (Wine grows on the southern flank/slope of the hill.)
💡 How to use "die Flanke"?
The usage of die Flanke strongly depends on the context:
- In sports (especially football), "eine Flanke schlagen/geben" (to cross the ball / hit a flank) is a very common phrase.
- In the military, one often talks about "die Flanke zu sichern" (to secure the flank), "in die Flanke zu fallen" (to attack the flank), or "Flankenschutz" (flank protection).
- In a medical or everyday context, "die Flanke" refers to the side of the body, often in connection with pain or injury ("Schmerzen in der Flanke haben" - to have pain in the flank/side).
- In cooking, "die Flanke" or "das Flanksteak" is a specific cut of meat.
Comparison with "Seite": While "Seite" is a more general term for any side (e.g., Buchseite - book page, Straßenseite - side of the street), "Flanke" is more specific and preferred in the contexts mentioned above. For example, you wouldn't say "eine Buchflanke" or "die linke Flanke der Straße".
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Flanke"
Article Mnemonic: Think of die Linie (the line) on the side of the football pitch, from where die Flanke is kicked. Linie ends in -e, is feminine -> die Flanke. Many feminine nouns in German end in -e.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a football player flanking the ball (running alongside it) before crossing it high into the center – that's die Flanke. Also, it sounds very similar to the English word "flank," which shares the core meaning.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Seite: General term for 'side', can sometimes replace Flanke (e.g., body side), but not always (e.g., not for the football cross).
- Weiche: Archaic or regional term for the body flank.
- Flügel: 'Wing', used in military or sports contexts (side position of a formation).
- Außenbahn (Sport): 'Wing' or 'outside lane', the area from which a cross (Flanke) is often delivered.
- Querpass (Sport): 'Square pass', similar but usually lower than a Flanke.
⚠️ Be careful: Not every word for "side" is a synonym for "Flanke". Context is key!
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Trainer den neuen Stürmer: "Kannst du auch Flanken schlagen?"
Antwortet der Stürmer: "Klar, Trainer! Links, rechts – oder soll ich sie lieber gleich ganz vom Platz hauen?"
Translation: The coach asks the new striker: "Can you hit crosses (Flanken) too?"
The striker replies: "Sure, coach! Left, right – or should I rather just kick them right off the pitch?"
✒️ Poem about the Flanke
Am Feldesrand, schnell und gewandt,
der Ball fliegt hoch, von Fuß gesandt.
Die Flanke segelt, schön geschwungen,
ins Zentrum, wo der Kampf gelungen.
Ein Kopfstoß sitzt, das Netz erzittert,
durch diese Flanke, blitzgescheitert
ist die Abwehr, Jubel hallt,
ein Tor gemacht, im Fußballwald!
Translation:
On the field's edge, quick and skilled,
the ball flies high, by foot propelled.
The cross (die Flanke) sails, beautifully swung,
to the center, where the battle's won.
A header connects, the net does quiver,
by this flank, smartly out-delivered
is the defense, cheers resound,
a goal is scored on football ground!
🤔 Little Riddle
Ich bin die Seite, oft im Spiel,
im Krieg bring' ich Gefahr als Ziel.
Am Körper spürst du mich bei Schmerz,
als Steak erfreu' ich oft dein Herz.
Was bin ich?
(Lösung: die Flanke)
Translation:
I am the side, often in a game,
In war, I bring danger as a target's aim.
On the body, you feel me when in pain,
As a steak, I often bring you joy again.
What am I?
(Solution: die Flanke / the flank)
🧩 Further Information
Etymology: The German word "Flanke" comes from Middle High German "flanke", which in turn derives from Old High German "hlanca" (hip, side). It is related to the English word "flank".
Compound Words (Wortzusammensetzungen):
- Flankenangriff (Military): A flank attack.
- Flankenschutz (Military): Flank protection/security.
- Flankengott (Sport, informal): Literally 'Flank God', a player known for excellent crosses.
- Flankenlauf (Sport): A run down the wing, often to set up a cross.
- Flankenschmerz (Medicine): Flank pain (pain in the side of the torso).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Flanke?
The correct article for Flanke is always die. It is a feminine noun: die Flanke (Nominative), der Flanke (Genitive/Dative).