die
Goldmedaille
🥇 What does 'die Goldmedaille' mean?
The German word die Goldmedaille translates to 'gold medal'. It is typically the highest award given for first place in athletic competitions (like the Olympic Games) or other contests. Often, it's not made entirely of gold but is gold-plated.
It symbolizes victory, outstanding achievement, and reaching the pinnacle of success in a specific field.
The word is feminine in German, so the article is always die: die Goldmedaille.
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 Deep Dive: Die Goldmedaille
The noun „Goldmedaille“ is feminine. Here are the declension tables:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Goldmedaille |
| Genitive | der | Goldmedaille |
| Dative | der | Goldmedaille |
| Accusative | die | Goldmedaille |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Goldmedaillen |
| Genitive | der | Goldmedaillen |
| Dative | den | Goldmedaillen |
| Accusative | die | Goldmedaillen |
📖 Example Sentences
- Die Athletin gewann stolz die Goldmedaille im 100-Meter-Lauf. (The athlete proudly won the gold medal in the 100-meter race.)
- Der Wert der Goldmedaille ist oft mehr symbolisch als materiell. (The value of the gold medal is often more symbolic than material.)
- Mit der Goldmedaille um den Hals feierte er seinen Sieg. (With the gold medal around his neck, he celebrated his victory.)
- Sie träumt davon, eines Tages selbst eine Goldmedaille zu gewinnen. (She dreams of winning a gold medal herself one day.)
- Bei den letzten Spielen wurden viele Goldmedaillen an deutsche Sportler vergeben. (Many gold medals were awarded to German athletes at the last games.)
🎯 Usage in Context
Die Goldmedaille is almost exclusively used in the context of competitions and awards, especially in sports.
- Sports: Olympic Games, World Championships, European Championships, etc. ("Er gewann die olympische Goldmedaille." - He won the Olympic gold medal.)
- Other Competitions: A gold medal can also be awarded as the top prize in scientific, artistic, or other types of contests.
- Symbolically: Sometimes the term is used metaphorically for a special honor or first place in a figurative sense.
It compares to the Silbermedaille (silver medal for second place) and the Bronzemedaille (bronze medal for third place).
🧠 Mnemonics
Article 'die': Think of other feminine German words for awards or honors like die Auszeichnung (the award), die Ehre (the honor), die Trophäe (the trophy). Like these, die Medaille is feminine. A medal is a 'feminine' reward!
Meaning 'Gold': This one's easy! The highest award shines like Gold.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Siegerpreis: General term for the winner's prize.
- Erster Platz: Refers to the placement achieved (first place).
- Höchste Auszeichnung: Emphasizes the rank of the prize (highest award).
- Trophäe: Often a cup (Pokal), but can also be a medal.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- Silbermedaille: Prize for second place.
- Bronzemedaille: Prize for third place.
- Letzter Platz: Last place, the opposite of winning.
- Niederlage: Defeat, the opposite of victory.
- Trostpreis: Consolation prize.
⚠️ Similar but Different Words
- Medallion (das): A piece of jewelry worn around the neck, often larger and more ornate than a sports medal.
- Plakette (die): A flat plaque, often used as a memorial or identification marker, less commonly as a prize.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Trainer den Boxer nach dem Kampf: "Na, wie fühlst du dich?"
Sagt der Boxer: "Goldig! Aber nur, weil ich so viele Sterne sehe, dass ich denke, ich hätte die Goldmedaille schon gewonnen!"
Translation:
The coach asks the boxer after the fight: "Well, how do you feel?"
The boxer says: "Golden! But only because I'm seeing so many stars that I think I've already won the gold medal!"
✍️ Poem about the Gold Medal
Schweiß und Training, Jahr um Jahr,
Der große Traum wird endlich wahr.
Am Hals hängt sie, so stolz und rein,
Die Goldmedaille, hell und fein.
Ein Glanz, der für den Sieg nur steht,
Der Lohn für alles, früh bis spät.
Translation:
Sweat and training, year by year,
The big dream finally comes true here.
Around the neck it hangs, so proud and pure,
The gold medal, bright and fine, for sure.
A shine that only stands for victory's quest,
The reward for everything, from early morn' to rest.
🤔 Little Riddle
Ich bin rund und glänze sehr,
Den ersten Platz bring ich dir her.
Im Sport bin ich das höchste Ziel,
Gewinnen will mich jeder viel.
Was bin ich?
Lösung / Solution: die Goldmedaille
Translation:
I am round and shine so bright,
First place I bring with all my might.
In sports, I am the highest aim,
Everyone wants to win my fame.
What am I?
Solution: the gold medal
✨ Other Interesting Facts
Word Composition:
The word "Goldmedaille" is a compound noun, formed from:
- Gold (das): The precious metal, symbolizing color and value.
- Medaille (die): A mostly round, flat piece of metal serving as an award.
Trivia: Although called a "Goldmedaille", the Olympic gold medal has for many years consisted mainly of silver, merely plated with a thin layer (at least 6 grams) of gold.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Goldmedaille?
The correct article for Goldmedaille is die. It is a feminine noun: die Goldmedaille (Nominative/Accusative), der Goldmedaille (Genitive/Dative).