die  Intrige

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɪnˈtʁiːɡə/

🤫 What exactly is an Intrige?

The word die Intrige (noun, feminine) refers to a secret plan or scheme designed to harm someone, get them into trouble, or achieve one's own goals in an underhanded way. This often happens through deception, manipulation, or spreading rumors.

An Intrige is typically:

• Insidious (heimtückisch): It is planned and executed secretly.
• Goal-oriented (zielgerichtet): It pursues a specific, often selfish or harmful, objective.
• Complex (komplex): It can consist of multiple steps or involve several people.

It is a word with negative connotations. Someone who Intrigen spinnt (spins intrigues/plots - a common collocation) is considered sneaky or manipulative.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar under the Microscope: die Intrige

The noun „Intrige“ is feminine. The correct article is die.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences 📜

• Die Hofdamen spannen ständig Intrigen gegeneinander. (The ladies-in-waiting are constantly plotting against each other.)
• Er wurde Opfer einer bösen Intrige seiner Kollegen. (He became the victim of a nasty scheme by his colleagues.)
• Die ganze Angelegenheit war nichts weiter als eine politische Intrige. (The whole affair was nothing more than a political intrigue.)
• Sie durchschaute die Intrige sofort. (She saw through the plot immediately.)

🎭 Usage in Daily Life and Literature

The term die Intrige is frequently used to describe complex, deceitful schemes. You often find it in contexts like:

• Politics (Politik): Political opponents sometimes try to weaken each other through Intrigen. (politische Intrige - political intrigue)
• Workplace (Arbeitsplatz): Bullying or rivalry can lead to Intrigen among colleagues. (Bürointrige - office plot)
• Interpersonal relationships (Zwischenmenschliche Beziehungen): Jealousy or revenge can be motives for personal Intrigen.
• Literature & Theatre (Literatur & Theater): Intrigen are a popular plot device in dramas, novels, and films to create tension (e.g., Shakespeare's plays, soap operas).

Distinction from similar terms:

• Plan (Plan): A Plan is neutral or positive and doesn't have to be secret or harmful.
• Strategy (Strategie): A Strategie is usually long-term and often used in business or military contexts; it's not inherently negative.
• Conspiracy (Verschwörung / Komplott): Similar to Intrige, but often with a larger, politically or criminally motivated goal and usually involving multiple participants (conspirators). An Intrige can be part of a Verschwörung.

The phrase "Intrigen spinnen" (to spin intrigues/plots) is very common.

💡 Mnemonics for Intrige

Article mnemonic: Many feminine nouns in German end in -e, especially abstract concepts. Think of: die Liebe (love), die Strategie (strategy)... and also die Intrige. She (sie) is the one weaving secretly.

Meaning mnemonic: The word sounds very similar to the English "intrigue," which also relates to secret planning or curiosity. Imagine someone being in-trigue-d by a secret, malicious plan - that's an Intrige.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Words

⚠️ Caution: A Strategie (strategy) is not the same as an Intrige. A Strategie is often a legitimate, long-term plan to achieve a goal, whereas an Intrige always carries a negative, insidious connotation.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Haben Sie Erfahrung mit Intrigen am Arbeitsplatz?"
Antwortet der Neue: "Oh ja, ständig! Aber keine Sorge, meine sind immer die besten!" 😉

(The boss asks the new employee: "Do you have experience with office intrigues?"
The newbie replies: "Oh yes, constantly! But don't worry, mine are always the best!") 😉

📜 Poem about an Intrige

Im Schatten leis, ein Netz gesponnen,
Aus Lügen fein, hat's schlecht begonnen.
Ein Flüstern hier, ein falsches Wort,
Die Intrige wächst an dunklem Ort.

Sie schleicht sich ein in Herz und Sinn,
Nimmt Freundschaft fort, bringt Leid und Grimm.
Doch Wahrheit stark, bricht oft den Bann,
Und stellt die Ränke an den Pranger an.

(In shadows soft, a web is spun,
From subtle lies, wrongly begun.
A whisper here, a word untrue,
The intrigue grows in darkest hue.

It creeps inside the heart and mind,
Steals friendship, leaves but grief behind.
Yet truth is strong, breaks spells apart,
And shames the schemes that tore a heart.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich werde im Geheimen ausgedacht,
habe schon manchen zu Fall gebracht.
Ich nutze List und falsches Spiel,
Schaden zuzufügen ist mein Ziel.
Man spinnt mich gern in Hof und Staat,
bin selten eine gute Tat.

Was bin ich?

(I am thought up in secret,
have brought many to ruin.
I use cunning and foul play,
to cause harm is my aim.
I'm often spun in court and state,
rarely am I a good deed.)

What am I?

Solution: die Intrige (the intrigue/plot)

🌍 Origin and Other Info

Etymology: The German word "Intrige" comes from French (intrigue), which in turn goes back to the Italian word intrigare. This has its origin in the Latin verb intricare, meaning "to entangle," "to embarrass," or "to confuse." The roots thus lie in the concept of entanglement and confusion, which fits well with the meaning of a secret scheme.

Cultural Significance: Intrigen are a staple of human history and literature, from ancient myths and royal dramas to modern political thrillers and soap operas. They reflect the darker sides of human ambition and relationships.