die  Internationale

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɪntɛʁnaːt͡si̯oˈnaːlə/

🎶 What does "die Internationale" mean?

Die Internationale primarily refers to the world-famous anthem of the socialist workers' movement. It's one of the most recognized songs globally and served as the anthem for many socialist and communist parties and states.

The name derives from the "International Workingmen's Association" (First International). It is a proper noun, therefore capitalized, and always takes the feminine article "die".

There are no other meanings with this specific article and spelling. The feminine form of the adjective "international" (e.g., die internationale Gemeinschaft - the international community) is written in lower case.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📜 Grammar in Detail: Die Internationale

"Die Internationale" is a feminine noun (proper noun). It is normally only used in the singular, as it refers to a specific song or movement.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

A plural form for "die Internationale" as a song title or movement is unusual and not standard grammatically.

Example Sentences 📝

• Die Demonstranten sangen die Internationale. (The demonstrators sang The Internationale.)
• Der Text der Internationale wurde von Eugène Pottier geschrieben. (The lyrics of The Internationale were written by Eugène Pottier.)
• Man gedachte der Internationale als Symbol des Arbeiterkampfes. (The Internationale was commemorated as a symbol of the workers' struggle.)
• Er kannte die Internationale aus seiner Jugend. (He knew The Internationale from his youth.)

🌐 Usage Context: When to use "die Internationale"

The term "die Internationale" is used almost exclusively in the context of politics, history, and music:

• Historical Context: Referring to the history of the labour movement, socialist and communist parties or states (e.g., the Soviet Union, where it was the national anthem for a time).
• Political Context: Sung or mentioned at demonstrations, party conferences, or commemorative events by left-wing or socialist groups.
• Musical Context: When discussing the song itself, its melody, lyrics, or various interpretations.

⚠️ Important Note: The word is strongly politically connotated. Its use can elicit different reactions depending on the interlocutor and situation.

Confusion mainly arises with the lower-case adjective international (e.g., die internationale Politik - international politics) or nominalizations thereof in other contexts.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Here are a couple of ideas to remember "die Internationale":

Article Mnemonic (die): Think of die Hymne (the anthem), die Bewegung (the movement), die Melodie (the melody). Many related concepts are feminine in German, just like die Internationale itself.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine workers coming together internationally and singing the famous anthem – that's die Internationale.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

😄 A Little Joke

Der Musiklehrer fragt: "Wer kann mir die erste Zeile der Internationale vorsingen?"
Meldet sich Fritzchen: "Wacht auf, Verdammte dieser Erde... aber bitte nicht vor acht Uhr morgens!" 😄

Translation:
The music teacher asks: "Who can sing the first line of The Internationale for me?"
Little Fritz raises his hand: "Arise, ye wretched of the Earth... but please not before eight in the morning!" 😄

📜 A Little Poem

Die Internationale klingt,
Ein Lied, das durch die Zeiten schwingt.
Von Kampf und Hoffnung einst erzählt,
Ein Ruf, der um die Welt gefällt.
Mit "die" als Artikel steht sie fest,
Ein Echo aus dem Manifest.

Translation:
The Internationale sounds,
A song that through the ages bounds.
Of struggle and hope it once told,
A call heard 'round the world, bold.
With "die" as its article, it stands fast,
An echo from the manifest's past.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin ein Lied, bekannt und alt,
Mein Klang in vielen Ohren hallt.
Ich spreche von Kampf, von Einigkeit,
Bin Symbol für eine frühere Zeit.
Mein Artikel ist feminin und klar.

Wer bin ich wohl? Na wunderbar,
es ist...?

Translation:
I am a song, famous and old,
My sound in many ears unfolds.
I speak of struggle, of unity,
A symbol of a time gone by, you see.
My article is feminine and clear.

Who am I? Oh wonderful, my dear,
it is...?

Solution: die Internationale

💡 Other Interesting Facts

• Origin of the Lyrics: Der französische Originaltext "L'Internationale" stammt von Eugène Pottier (1871), einem Dichter der Pariser Kommune. (The original French text "L'Internationale" was written by Eugène Pottier (1871), a poet of the Paris Commune.)
• Origin of the Melody: Die bekannte Melodie wurde von Pierre De Geyter (1888) komponiert. (The famous melody was composed by Pierre De Geyter (1888).)
• Translations: Das Lied wurde in zahlreiche Sprachen übersetzt. Die bekannteste deutsche Fassung stammt von Emil Luckhardt (1910). (The song has been translated into numerous languages. The best-known German version is by Emil Luckhardt (1910).)
• Historical Significance: Die Internationale war von 1922 bis 1944 die Hymne der Sowjetunion. (The Internationale was the anthem of the Soviet Union from 1922 to 1944.)