die / das  Furore

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/fuˈʁoːʁə/

🧐 What does Furore mean?

The German word Furore describes a great stir, sensation, uproar, or enthusiastic acclaim caused by something or someone. It originates from the Italian word furore, which originally means “rage, frenzy, passion”.

In German, it can technically have two articles, although one is far more common:

• die Furore (feminine): This is the common and modern form. It refers to a big sensation, scandal, or resounding success.
  Example: Das neue Theaterstück machte Furore. (The new play caused a sensation.)
• das Furore (neuter): This form is archaic or poetic and rarely used today. The meaning is identical to „die Furore“. You might find it in older texts or in elevated language to create a specific stylistic effect.
  Example: Welch ein Furore bei seiner Ankunft! (What an uproar upon his arrival!)

🚨 Attention: In normal, everyday German, you should always use die Furore.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📜 Grammar of Furore: Die and Das in Detail

Although both articles exist, Furore is mostly used only in the singular. The declension differs depending on the article.

Die Furore (feminine - common)

A plural form for „die Furore“ practically doesn't exist.

Das Furore (neuter - rare/archaic)

Here too, the plural is uncommon. The form „das Furore“ is mostly encountered only in the nominative or accusative case.

Example Sentences 📝

• Die Furore: Der Film sorgte bei seiner Premiere für Furore.
  (The film caused a sensation at its premiere.)
• Die Furore: Mit ihrer Erfindung machte die Wissenschaftlerin weltweit Furore.
  (With her invention, the scientist caused a worldwide sensation.)
• Das Furore (rare): In den Salons der Stadt sprach man nur von dem Furore, das der junge Künstler erregte.
  (In the city's salons, people only talked about the furore the young artist caused.)

💡 How to use Furore?

Furore is primarily used in the phrase „Furore machen“, which means to cause a sensation, to create a stir, or to have great success.

• Context: It usually refers to public reactions to events, works of art, people, or new ideas. It can have both positive connotations (great success, admiration) and negative ones (scandal, outrage), although the positive meaning is more common.
• Style: The word belongs more to elevated colloquial language or written language.
• Die vs. Das: As mentioned, die Furore is the standard form. Das Furore sounds archaic or very sophisticated today and should only be used intentionally in specific contexts (e.g., quotes, poetic language) to avoid being misunderstood or sounding unnatural.
• Comparison: Similar to „Aufsehen erregen“ (to attract attention), „eine Sensation sein“ (to be a sensation), „einschlagen wie eine Bombe“ (to hit like a bombshell). „Furore“ often sounds stronger and more sudden than just „Aufsehen“.

🧠 Mnemonics for Furore

For the article: Remember: 'Die' Sensation (which is feminine in German, 'die Sensation') causes Furore. This fits the feminine article „die“. Think of „das“ as the rare, ghostly (neuter 'das Gespenst') exception from old times.

For the meaning: The word sounds like 'fury' or 'furious'. Imagine a furious crowd (or an excited one) making noise – that's the Furore (uproar, sensation).

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: Words like „Furor“ (fury, rage) sound similar but have a different core meaning, even though they are etymologically related.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat das neue Chamäleon-Parfüm Furore gemacht?
Weil niemand es kommen sah, aber jeder darüber sprach!

(Why did the new chameleon perfume cause a furore?
Because nobody saw it coming, but everyone was talking about it!)

🎤 Furore in Verse

Ein Künstler malt, die Farben fließen,
Ein Werk entsteht, kühn und grandios.
Die Stadt erwacht, die Leute sprießen,
Die Furore bricht nun mächtig los.

Man tuschelt hier, man staunet dort,
Von Galerie zu jedem Ort.
Ein Meisterwerk, ein Donnerwort,
Das Echo trägt die Botschaft fort.

(An artist paints, the colors flow,
A work emerges, bold and grand.
The city wakes, the people grow,
The furore now breaks strong across the land.)

(They whisper here, they marvel there,
From gallery to every square.
A masterpiece, a word to share,
The echo carries news on air.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich komme schnell, mal laut, mal leise,
Begleite Kunst, Tat oder Reise.
Mal bin ich Skandal, mal großer Hit,
Ich bringe Köpfe in den Ritt.
Meistens bin ich weiblich, sag ich dir,
Doch selten auch sächlich, glaube mir.

Was bin ich?

(I come quickly, sometimes loud, sometimes quiet,
I accompany art, deeds, or journeys.
Sometimes I'm a scandal, sometimes a big hit,
I make heads spin.
Mostly I am feminine, I tell you,
But rarely also neuter, believe me.)

(What am I?)

(Solution: die/das Furore)

🧩 Other Interesting Facts

Etymology: As mentioned, „Furore“ comes directly from the Italian furore. This, in turn, derives from the Latin furor, meaning “frenzy, rage, madness, passionate enthusiasm”. The shift in meaning in German towards “sensation, uproar” is interesting and shows how words can change their nuances over time.