die
Kanone
🎯 What does "die Kanone" mean?
The word die Kanone has several meanings:
- 💣 A heavy artillery piece: The main meaning refers to a large-caliber weapon used to fire projectiles over long distances. It's relevant in historical and military contexts.
- 🏆 A person with outstanding skills (coll.): Figuratively, someone can be called a "Kanone" (or "Sportskanone" (sports ace), "Arbeitskanone" (workhorse)) if they are particularly good or efficient in a certain field (e.g., sports, work). Example: Er ist eine echte Kanone im Fußball. (He's a real ace at football.)
- 💨 A device with high power (coll.): Sometimes the term is used for devices that forcefully eject something or have high performance, e.g., eine Schneekanone (snow cannon), eine Heizkanone (heater fan), or eine Datenkanone (a fast printer or data line).
The word is feminine, so the article is always die.
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 in Detail: die Kanone
The noun "Kanone" is feminine. Here is its declension:
Declension (Singular)
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Kanone |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Kanone |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Kanone |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Kanone |
Declension (Plural)
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Kanonen |
| Genitive | der | Kanonen |
| Dative | den | Kanonen |
| Accusative | die | Kanonen |
Example Sentences
- Die alte Kanone steht noch im Museumshof. (The old cannon is still in the museum courtyard.)
- Sie ist eine absolute Kanone in Mathematik. (She is an absolute ace in mathematics.)
- Im Winter werden die Schneekanonen eingesetzt, um die Pisten zu präparieren. (In winter, the snow cannons are used to prepare the slopes.)
- Der General befahl, die Kanonen abzufeuern. (The general ordered the cannons to be fired.)
🗣️ How to use "Kanone"?
- Military/Historical Context: Here, "Kanone" clearly refers to the artillery piece. Examples: Festungskanone (fortress cannon), Schiffskanone (ship's cannon), Kanonenboot (gunboat).
- Colloquial (People): Calling someone a "Kanone" is usually meant as a compliment, highlighting special skills or achievements. It's informal. Examples: Sportskanone (sports ace), Arbeitskanone (workhorse). Be careful: Depending on the context, it can sound slightly boastful.
- Colloquial (Devices): Often describes devices that forcefully 'shoot out' something or have high power. Examples: Schneekanone (snow cannon), Heizkanone (heater fan), Gulaschkanone (field kitchen, lit. goulash cannon).
- Idiom: "Mit Kanonen auf Spatzen schießen" (to shoot sparrows with cannons) means using excessive means for a small problem.
Although there are multiple meanings, the article is always die, which simplifies the grammar.
🧠 Mnemonics for Kanone
For the article (die): Many feminine German nouns end in '-e', like die Lampe, die Katze, and die Kanone. Imagine the queen (who is female, 'die Königin') firing die Kanone.
For the meaning: A cannon goes "KA-BOOM!" or "KA-NON!" (onomatopoeia 💥). It's a big weapon. A person who is a "Kanone" is also a "big shot" 🏆 in their field.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar words)
- For Geschütz (artillery piece): Geschütz, Haubitze (howitzer), Mörser (mortar), Artilleriegeschütz
- For Experte/Könner (expert/ace, coll.): Ass, Experte, Koryphäe (luminary), Crack (coll.), Kapazität (authority), Leuchte (coll., lit. light)
- For Gerät (device, coll.): Gebläse (blower) (depending on context, e.g., Heizkanone)
Similar but different words:
- Kanon (der): Refers to a body of rules, texts, or works considered authoritative (e.g., literary canon, biblical canon). Don't confuse them!
😂 A little joke
German: Warum hat die Kanone keinen Job mehr beim Zirkus?
Sie wurde gefeuert!
English: Why did the cannon lose its job at the circus?
It got fired! 🥁
📜 Poem about the Kanone
German:
Die Kanone, schwer und alt,
Steht im Burghof, stumm und kalt.
Einst spie sie Feuer, laut und grell,
Heut' ist sie Museumsstelle schnell.
Doch sagt man "Kanone" auch zu dir,
Bist du ein Ass, das wissen wir!
English Translation:
The cannon, heavy and old,
Stands in the castle yard, silent and cold.
Once it spat fire, loud and bright,
Now it's a museum piece, quick as light.
But if they call you "Kanone" too,
You are an ace, we know it's true!
❓ Riddle
German:
Ich habe einen Lauf, doch renne nicht.
Ich spreche laut, doch hab kein Gesicht.
Man nutzt mich im Krieg, auf See und an Land,
Manchmal nennt man so jemanden mit viel Verstand.
Was bin ich?
English:
I have a barrel, but I don't run.
I speak loudly, but have no face.
I'm used in war, on sea and land,
Sometimes a very smart person is called this, understand?
What am I?
Solution: die Kanone (the cannon)
✨ Other Interesting Facts
Etymology: The word "Kanone" comes from the Italian word cannone, meaning "large tube" (an augmentative form of canna = tube, cane). It entered the German language in the 16th century.
Cultural Significance: Cannons are often symbols of military power, but also of outdated technology or excessive measures (idiom: "Mit Kanonen auf Spatzen schießen" - "to shoot sparrows with cannons").
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Kanone?
The German word "Kanone" is always feminine. The correct article is die Kanone. It primarily refers to a heavy artillery piece but can also be used colloquially for a highly skilled person or a powerful device.