die
Krone
👑 What does "die Krone" mean?
The word die Krone (feminine) has several meanings in German:
- Symbol of Rule: The best-known meaning is the headwear of monarchs (kings, queens, emperors). It symbolizes power, dignity, and rule. 👑
Example: Die Königin trug eine prächtige Krone. (The queen wore a magnificent crown.) - Dentistry: An artificial cap for a damaged tooth, restoring its shape and function. 🦷
Example: Der Zahnarzt musste mir eine Krone auf den Backenzahn setzen. (The dentist had to put a crown on my molar.) - Part of a Tree: The uppermost part of a tree, consisting of branches and leaves. 🌳
Example: Die Krone der alten Eiche spendete Schatten. (The crown of the old oak provided shade.) - Unit of Currency: The name of various currencies, e.g., the Danish krone, Norwegian krone, Swedish krona, Czech koruna. 💰
Example: Ein Urlaub in Dänemark erfordert den Umtausch in Dänische Kronen. (A holiday in Denmark requires exchanging money into Danish kroner.) - Highest Point/Completion: Figuratively used for the climax or culmination of something. ✨
Example: Der Sieg war die Krone seiner Karriere. (The victory was the crowning achievement of his career.)
🚨 Although there are different meanings, the article is always die, as the word is grammatically feminine.
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 of "die Krone" in Detail
Die Krone is a feminine noun. Here are the declension tables:
Singular
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die Krone | eine Krone |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der Krone | einer Krone |
| Dative (To whom?) | der Krone | einer Krone |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die Krone | eine Krone |
Plural
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Kronen | Kronen / keine Kronen |
| Genitive | der Kronen | Kronen / keiner Kronen |
| Dative | den Kronen | Kronen / keinen Kronen |
| Accusative | die Kronen | Kronen / keine Kronen |
Example Sentences
- Nominative: Die Krone glänzte im Sonnenlicht. (The crown shone in the sunlight.)
- Genitive: Der Wert der Krone ist unschätzbar. (The value of the crown is priceless.)
- Dative: Der Zahnarzt passte der Krone den Zahn an. (The dentist fitted the crown to the tooth.)
- Accusative: Er bewunderte die Krone des Baumes. (He admired the crown of the tree.)
- Plural: Im Museum waren viele alte Kronen ausgestellt. (Many old crowns were exhibited in the museum.)
- Plural: Wie viel sind 100 Euro in schwedischen Kronen? (How much is 100 Euros in Swedish kronor?)
💡 How to Use "die Krone"?
The usage of die Krone depends heavily on the context:
- In historical/political contexts: Speaking of 'der Krone' (the Crown) often refers to the royal house or the monarchy as an institution. ("Die Krone hat entschieden." - "The Crown has decided.")
- At the dentist's: Clearly refers to the dental crown.
- In nature/botany: Refers to the top part of a tree.
- During travel/finance: Clearly the currency unit.
- Figuratively: Often used as a metaphor for the culmination, reward, or completion of an effort ('die Krönung' - 'the crowning achievement', 'etwas die Krone aufsetzen' - 'to top something off').
Comparison:
- Diadem: A 'Diadem' is also headwear, but usually smaller, often semicircular, and more ornamental than a symbol of rule like a full 'Krone'.
- Spitze: Can refer to the highest point, but 'Krone' (for trees or metaphorically) has a broader meaning (the entire upper section/the culmination).
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Krone"
Remembering the Article: Imagine a queen ('die Königin' - feminine) wearing DIE most beautiful Krone. Feminine noun, feminine article 'die'.
Remembering the Meanings: Think of a King (👑) with a Toothache (🦷), sitting under a Tree (🌳), paying with foreign Money (💰). All these concepts can be linked to 'die Krone'.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Words):
- For symbol of rule: Diadem, Zepter (scepter - as a symbol, not directly a crown), Herrscherinsignie (regalia)
- For dentistry: Zahnkrone (dental crown), Überkronung (crowning), Kappe (cap - colloquial)
- For part of a tree: Baumkrone (treetop), Wipfel (treetop), Baumspitze (treetop)
- For currency: Währungseinheit (currency unit - specific to country: DKK, NOK, SEK, CZK)
- For culmination: Höhepunkt (climax), Gipfel (peak), Krönung (coronation, culmination), Vollendung (completion)
Antonyms (Opposites):
- For symbol of rule: (No direct opposite, perhaps a symbol of subjugation?)
- For dentistry: Zahnwurzel (tooth root), Zahnfüllung (filling - different treatment)
- For part of a tree: Wurzel (root), Stammfuß (base of the trunk), Basis (base)
- For culmination: Anfang (beginning), Basis (base), Tiefpunkt (low point)
⚠️ Note: Words like 'Krönchen' (small crown, often for children or as jewelry) or the verb 'krönen' (to crown someone king, to culminate) are related but not synonymous.
😂 A Little Joke
German: Fragt der Zahnarzt den geizigen Patienten: "Möchten Sie eine Krone?"
Antwortet der Patient: "Gerne! Aber bitte ohne Steuern und nur, wenn ich dann auch regieren darf!"
English Translation: The dentist asks the stingy patient: "Would you like a crown?"
The patient replies: "Gladly! But please without taxes and only if I get to rule then too!"
📜 Poem about the Crown
German:
Die Krone funkelt, stolz und alt,
Symbol der Macht, in Glanz gemalt.
Doch auch der Baum trägt eine Pracht,
hält seine Krone Tag und Nacht.
Und schmerzt der Zahn, oh weh, oh Graus,
hilft eine Krone schnell heraus.
Ob König, Baum, ob Zahn, ob Geld,
die Krone ziert die ganze Welt.
English Translation:
The crown it sparkles, proud and old,
A symbol of power, in shine enrolled.
But also the tree wears finery,
Holds its crown day and night, you see.
And if the tooth hurts, oh woe, oh dread,
A crown helps quickly, it is said.
Be it king, tree, tooth, or money's hold,
The crown adorns the entire world.
❓ Riddle
German:
Ich sitze auf dem Kopf des Königs,
bin auf dem Zahn des Leidenden.
Ich wachse auf dem Baum im Wald,
und bin auch Geld, mal neu, mal alt.
Was bin ich?
English Translation:
I sit on the head of the king,
I am on the tooth of the suffering.
I grow on the tree in the wood,
And I'm also money, understood?
What am I?
Answer: Die Krone (The Crown)
✨ Other Information
Word Compounds: 'Die Krone' is part of many compound words:
- Kronprinz / Kronprinzessin: Crown Prince / Crown Princess
- Kronleuchter: Chandelier (literally 'crown-lighter')
- Kronzeuge: Key witness (literally 'crown witness')
- Krönung: Coronation; culmination
- Baumkrone, Zahnkrone: Specification of meaning (treetop, dental crown)
Etymology: The word 'Krone' comes from the Latin word 'corona', meaning 'wreath' or 'crown'.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Krone?
The noun "Krone" is always feminine. Therefore, the correct article is exclusively die Krone. It has several meanings, including a symbol of royalty, a dental prosthesis, the top part of a tree, or a unit of currency.