die
Göttin
📖 What does "die Göttin" mean?
Die Göttin (noun, feminine) means goddess. It is the female counterpart to a Gott (god).
Figuratively, 'Göttin' can also refer to a woman who is exceptionally beautiful, admired, or revered.
- Main meaning: A female supernatural being worshipped in a religion or mythology. (e.g., die griechische Göttin Aphrodite - the Greek goddess Aphrodite)
- Figurative meaning: A woman of outstanding beauty or prestige. (e.g., Sie wurde wie eine Göttin verehrt. - She was worshipped like a goddess.)
🚨 Note: The suffix '-in' clearly marks the word as feminine, so it's always 'die Göttin'.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Women → almost always feminine.
Caution: Most professions also have their feminine forms (e.g. die Polizistin). Some words can also have two forms: der/die Deutsche, der/die Kranke.
-in → mostly feminine.
All persons and professions ending in -in are feminine. Other -in nouns can be der/die/das.
🧐 Grammar of "die Göttin" in Detail
The word "Göttin" is a feminine noun and always takes the article "die". It follows the weak declension pattern for feminine nouns.
Declension
| Case | Article | Göttin |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (subject) | die | Göttin |
| Genitive (possessive) | der | Göttin |
| Dative (indirect object) | der | Göttin |
| Accusative (direct object) | die | Göttin |
| Case | Article | Göttinnen |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Göttinnen |
| Genitive | der | Göttinnen |
| Dative | den | Göttinnen |
| Accusative | die | Göttinnen |
Example Sentences
- In der griechischen Mythologie ist Athene die Göttin der Weisheit. (In Greek mythology, Athena is the goddess of wisdom.)
- Viele antike Kulturen verehrten Muttergöttinnen. (Many ancient cultures worshipped mother goddesses.)
- Der Dichter besang seine Geliebte als seine persönliche Göttin. (The poet sang of his beloved as his personal goddess.)
- Man brachte der Göttin Opfer dar. (Sacrifices were offered to the goddess.)
💡 How to use "Göttin"?
The term "Göttin" is mainly used in contexts of religion, mythology, and history to refer to female deities.
- Religious/Mythological: Talking about ancient or modern polytheistic belief systems (e.g., die ägyptische Göttin Isis - the Egyptian goddess Isis, die nordische Göttin Freya - the Norse goddess Freya).
- Figurative: Describing a woman who is extremely admired, often for her beauty, talent, or charisma. This can be affectionate but also slightly exaggerated (e.g., Auf der Bühne war sie eine wahre Göttin. - On stage, she was a true goddess.).
- Cultural: In discussions about art, literature, or history relating to depictions or concepts of goddesses.
Compared to "Gottheit" (deity, which can be neutral or gendered), "Göttin" is specifically female. "Idol" can be used similarly in a figurative sense but often has a more modern connotation related to pop culture and fewer religious undertones.
🧠 Mnemonics for "Göttin"
Mnemonic for the article "die":
Words ending in "-in" that denote a female person or role are almost always feminine: die Lehrerin (female teacher), die Ärztin (female doctor), die Königin (queen)... and naturally, die Göttin! Think of the feminine suffix '-in'.
Mnemonic for the meaning:
Think of the English word "God". Add the typical German feminine ending "-in" to get Göttin. So, a female God is a Göttin - a goddess!
↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (similar words):
Antonyms (opposite words):
- Gott (god; male counterpart)
- Sterbliche(r) (mortal; human, not divine)
- Teufelin (she-devil; female evil entity)
- Dämonin (demoness; female demon)
⚠️ Similar but different words: "Götze" (idol, false god) refers to an image or idol (often pejoratively), not the deity itself.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt ein Tourist im Museum den Führer: "Ist das die Göttin der Morgenröte?"
Führer: "Nein, das ist die Göttin der Abendkasse. Sie kommt immer erst kurz vor Schluss."
Translation:
A tourist asks the guide in the museum: "Is that the goddess of the dawn?"
Guide: "No, that's the goddess of the box office. She only ever arrives just before closing."
📜 Poem about a Goddess
Die Göttin
Im Tempelhain, von Licht umflossen,
Steht sie erhaben, unverdrossen.
Die Göttin, weise, schön und stark,
Lenkt Schicksal oft durch ihren Park.
Ihr Blick durchdringt die Zeit, die Welt,
Ein Mythos, der uns heut' noch hält.
Translation:
The Goddess
In temple grove, bathed in light,
She stands sublime, steadfast and bright.
The goddess, wise, beautiful, and strong,
Often guides fate where paths go along.
Her gaze pierces time, the world so vast,
A myth whose echo still does last.
🕵️♀️ Little Riddle
Ich bin weiblich, doch nicht menschlich klein,
In Mythen leb' ich, strahlend rein.
Man bringt mir Opfer, ehrt mich sehr,
Bin mächtig und noch vieles mehr.
Wer bin ich, sag es mir geschwind,
Das weiblich göttliche Kind?
Translation:
I am female, but not humanly small,
In myths I live, radiant and tall.
Offerings are brought, I'm honored greatly,
I am powerful and much more, stately.
Who am I? Tell me fast,
The female divine child, built to last?
Solution: die Göttin (the goddess)
✨ Other Information
Word Composition
The word "Göttin" is derived from the masculine word "Gott" (god) by adding the feminine suffix "-in". This suffix is commonly used in German to form the female version of professions, titles, or designations (e.g., Lehrer -> Lehrerin (teacher), König -> Königin (queen)).
Trivia
- In many polytheistic religions, there was a pantheon with both gods and goddesses, often having specific domains (e.g., love, war, wisdom, hunt).
- Famous goddesses include Venus/Aphrodite (love), Athena/Minerva (wisdom), Artemis/Diana (hunt), Isis (magic, motherhood).
- The concept of Mother Goddesses is widespread in many early cultures worldwide, often symbolizing fertility and creation.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Göttin?
The word "Göttin" is always feminine. Therefore, the correct article is exclusively die: die Göttin (nominative/accusative singular), der Göttin (genitive/dative singular), die Göttinnen (plural).