die  Medaille

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/meˈdaɪ̯lɐ/

🏅 What does "die Medaille" mean?

Die Medaille (noun, feminine) refers to a mostly round, flat piece of metal, often used as an award, prize, or commemorative item. Medaillen are frequently awarded in sports competitions (e.g., Goldmedaille, Silbermedaille, Bronzemedaille - gold, silver, bronze medal), for military merit, or to commemorate important events or people.

Luckily, there's only this one article for the word, which makes choosing easier. 😌

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Medaille

The word "Medaille" is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always "die".

Declension of "die Medaille"

Example Sentences

1. Die Athletin gewann stolz die goldene Medaille. (The athlete proudly won the gold medal. - Accusative Singular)
2. Der Wert der Medaille ist nicht nur materiell. (The value of the medal is not just material. - Genitive Singular)
3. Er zeigte uns seine Sammlung alter Medaillen. (He showed us his collection of old medals. - Accusative Plural)
4. Mit einer Medaille wurde ihr Mut geehrt. (Her courage was honored with a medal. - Dative Singular)

💡 How to use "die Medaille"?

"Die Medaille" is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Sports: To award winners and runners-up (Gold-, Silber-, Bronzemedaille). Example: Sie träumt davon, eine olympische Medaille zu gewinnen. (She dreams of winning an Olympic medal.)
• Military/Honors: As a decoration for bravery, merit, or long service. Example: Der Veteran trug seine Medaillen an der Uniform. (The veteran wore his medals on his uniform.)
• Commemoration/Anniversary: As a memento of an event or person (Gedenkmedaille, Jubiläumsmedaille - commemorative medal, anniversary medal). Example: Zum Stadtjubiläum wurde eine spezielle Medaille geprägt. (A special medal was minted for the city anniversary.)
• Idiom: "Die Kehrseite der Medaille" (the other side of the coin/medal) refers to the negative aspects or disadvantages of an otherwise positive situation. Example: Der Erfolg hat auch seine Kehrseite der Medaille, wie den Verlust der Privatsphäre. (Success also has its downside, like the loss of privacy.)

Distinction: While a Medaille is usually round and often worn on a ribbon, an Orden (order, decoration) can have more varied shapes and often symbolizes membership in a community or a higher state honor.

🧠 Mnemonics for Medaille

1. Remembering the article: Many nouns ending in "-e" are feminine in German, like Medaille. Also, think of "die Auszeichnung" (the award) or "die Ehrung" (the honor) – both are feminine, just like die Medaille. An honor is often a medal.
2. Remembering the meaning: Imagine a proud female winner (feminine!) wearing die shiny Medaille around her neck. The image of a woman helps remember "die". Or think of the material: Medaille sounds a bit like 'metal', and it's often made of metal.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

Caution: Don't confuse "die Medaille" with "das Medaillon" (a locket, a piece of jewelry that opens, often containing a picture).

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Trainer den Boxer nach dem Kampf: "Na, wie fühlst du dich?" Sagt der Boxer: "Großartig! Ich habe zwar keine Medaille gewonnen, aber immerhin habe ich noch alle meine Zähne – wenn auch nicht mehr in der richtigen Reihenfolge!"

English: The coach asks the boxer after the fight: "Well, how do you feel?" The boxer replies: "Great! I didn't win a medal, but at least I still have all my teeth – although not necessarily in the right order!"

✍️ Poem about the Medaille

German:
Aus Gold, aus Silber, Bronze schwer,
Die Medaille, begehrt so sehr.
Am Band sie hängt, ein stolzes Zeichen,
Für Sieg und Ehr', kein Mensch will weichen.
Doch Glanz vergeht, was bleibt, ist klar:
Die Müh', der Kampf, das wunderbar!

English:
Of gold, of silver, bronze so grand,
The medal, coveted through the land.
On ribbon hung, a sign of pride,
For victory, where efforts ride.
But shine does fade, what stays is true:
The strife, the fight, the wonderful you!

❓ Little Riddle

German:
Ich bin rund und oft aus Metall,
Bekomme Applaus und lauten Schall.
Man trägt mich stolz nach einem Sieg,
Obwohl ich selbst nie kämpfen stieg.

Was bin ich?

English:
I am round and often made of metal,
I receive applause and loud kettle (sound).
People wear me proudly after a victory,
Although I myself never fought in history.

What am I?

Solution: Die Medaille (The medal)

🌐 Other Information

Etymology: The word "Medaille" comes from the French médaille, which in turn comes from the Italian medaglia. This derives from the Latin metallum (metal) or medialis (middle, half), possibly referring to half the value of a larger coin or simply the material.

Compound words (Wortzusammensetzungen):

• Goldmedaille, Silbermedaille, Bronzemedaille (Gold, silver, bronze medal)
• Siegermedaille, Verdienstmedaille, Gedenkmedaille (Winner's medal, medal of merit, commemorative medal)
• Medaillenspiegel (Medal table/count in competitions)