die
Kriegerin
🛡️ What does 'Kriegerin' mean?
The word die Kriegerin is the feminine form of der Krieger (the male warrior). It refers to a woman who fights, especially in a war or armed conflict. The term can be used literally for a female soldier or fighter in historical or fictional contexts, as well as metaphorically for a woman who energetically advocates for a cause or fights against resistance.
Because the word ends in "-in" and refers to a female person, the article is always die. There are no other articles for this word.
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 and Declension of 'Kriegerin'
Die Kriegerin is a feminine noun. Its declension follows the standard pattern for feminine nouns in German.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die | Kriegerin |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der | Kriegerin |
| Dative (To whom?) | der | Kriegerin |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die | Kriegerin |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Kriegerinnen |
| Genitive | der | Kriegerinnen |
| Dative | den | Kriegerinnen |
| Accusative | die | Kriegerinnen |
Example Sentences
- Die tapfere Kriegerin verteidigte die Burg. (The brave female warrior defended the castle.)
- Die Rüstung der Kriegerin glänzte in der Sonne. (The female warrior's armor shone in the sun.)
- Der König dankte der Kriegerin für ihren Mut. (The king thanked the female warrior for her courage.)
- Man bewunderte die Kriegerin für ihre Stärke. (People admired the female warrior for her strength.)
- Viele Kriegerinnen kämpften Seite an Seite. (Many female warriors fought side by side.)
💬 How is 'Kriegerin' used?
The term die Kriegerin is often used in the following contexts:
- Historical/Mythological: Describing women who fought in past times or legends (e.g., Amazonen - Amazons, Schildmaiden - shieldmaidens).
- Fantasy/Fiction: Characterizing female figures in books, movies, or games who take on combat roles.
- Metaphorical: Referring to women who fight in a figurative sense, e.g., against illness, for social justice, or for professional success ("Sie ist eine echte Kriegerin im Kampf gegen Krebs." - She is a real warrior in the fight against cancer.).
Difference to 'Kämpferin': While Kriegerin often implies a military or existential struggle, Kämpferin (female fighter) can be used more broadly, including in sports contexts or for someone with a generally combative nature.
💡 Mnemonics for 'Kriegerin'
For the article 'die': Remember that most nouns for female persons ending in "-in" are feminine and take 'die'. Just like die Königin (the queen) or die Lehrerin (the female teacher), it's die Kriegerin.
For the meaning: Think of the German word for war: "Krieg". A Kriegerin is a woman (indicated by -in) involved in "Krieg" (war).
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Kämpferin: General term for a female fighter (not necessarily military).
- Streiterin: Similar to Kämpferin, often in the context of disputes or debates ('female contender/advocate').
- Amazone: Specifically a mythical female warrior; often used for strong, independent women.
- Heldin: A female hero; a woman who performs a brave act (can be, but isn't necessarily, a warrior).
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- Friedensstifterin: A female peacemaker.
- Opfer: A victim (opposite of an active fighter).
- (No direct antonym in the sense of a specific non-combatant role; context-dependent)
⚠️ Caution: Not every strong woman is automatically a Kriegerin. The term carries a strong connotation of combat and conflict.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum nimmt eine Kriegerin immer einen Bleistift mit in die Schlacht?
Damit sie ihre Angriffe spitzen kann!
(Why does a female warrior always take a pencil into battle?
So she can sharpen (spitzen) her attacks!)
(Note: 'spitzen' means 'to sharpen' but also 'to point' or figuratively 'to refine/peak')
📜 Poem about the 'Kriegerin'
Mit Schwert und Schild, doch Herz voll Glut,
Die Kriegerin, voll stolzem Mut.
Sie kämpft für das, was Recht sie heißt,
Auch wenn der Sturmwind um sie kreist.
Nicht nur im Feld, im Lebensstreit,
Steht sie bereit, zu jeder Zeit.
(With sword and shield, yet heart full of fire,
The female warrior, full of proud courage.
She fights for what she calls right,
Even when the storm wind circles around her.
Not only in the field, in life's struggle,
She stands ready, at any time.)
❓ Riddle
Ich trage Rüstung, doch bin kein Mann,
kämpfe im Krieg, so gut ich kann.
Mein Mut ist groß, mein Wille stark,
ich folge meinem Pfad, Tag für Tag.
Die weibliche Form vom Kämpfer im Feld,
Wer bin ich, in dieser Welt?
(I wear armor, but am not a man,
I fight in war, as best I can.
My courage is great, my will is strong,
I follow my path, day by day long.
The female form of the fighter in the field,
Who am I, in this world revealed?)
Solution: die Kriegerin (the female warrior)
✨ Other Information
Word Formation: The word Kriegerin is derived from the masculine noun der Krieger (the warrior) by adding the suffix -in, which is typical in German for forming feminine versions of nouns referring to people.
Etymology: The root Krieg (Old High German 'krēg', 'krig') originally meant 'effort', 'persistence' and later evolved to mean 'dispute', 'armed conflict'.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Kriegerin?
The word "Kriegerin" is always feminine. The correct article is die Kriegerin (plural: die Kriegerinnen). It refers to a female person who fights, either literally in war or metaphorically.