die
Metropole
🏙️ What does "die Metropole" mean?
Die Metropole (feminine noun) refers to a very large, important city, often the political, economic, and cultural center of a region or country. It's typically a hub for transportation, trade, and culture, attracting people from all over the world. It translates directly to metropolis.
Unlike a simple Großstadt (large city), Metropole often implies greater significance, internationality, and a vibrant, pulsating life.
The term derives from Greek: μήτηρ (mētēr) for 'mother' and πόλις (pólis) for 'city', thus originally 'mother city', often in the sense of a colonial power over its colonies or a capital city.
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 Metropole" in Detail
The word "Metropole" is a feminine noun. The definite article is always die.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Metropole |
| Genitive | der | Metropole |
| Dative | der | Metropole |
| Accusative | die | Metropole |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Metropolen |
| Genitive | der | Metropolen |
| Dative | den | Metropolen |
| Accusative | die | Metropolen |
Example Sentences
- Berlin ist eine pulsierende Metropole. (Berlin is a vibrant metropolis.)
- Viele junge Menschen zieht es in die großen Metropolen. (Many young people are drawn to the big metropolises.)
- Die Infrastruktur der Metropole steht vor großen Herausforderungen. (The infrastructure of the metropolis faces great challenges.)
- Wir verbrachten unseren Urlaub in einer europäischen Metropole. (We spent our vacation in a European metropolis.)
💡 How to use "Metropole"?
"Metropole" is used to describe cities that have outstanding importance – whether politically, economically, or culturally. It implies more than just size.
- Context: Often used in media, tourism, urban planning, and discussions about globalization.
- Distinction from "Großstadt": A Großstadt is, by definition, a city with over 100,000 inhabitants. Every Metropole is a Großstadt, but not every Großstadt is a Metropole. A Metropole has a supra-regional or international appeal and significance (e.g., London, Tokyo, New York, Paris, Berlin).
- Connotation: Can evoke both positive (excitement, diversity, opportunities) and negative (hectic pace, anonymity, high costs) associations.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Many feminine nouns in German end in -e, including die Metropole. Imagine an elegant lady (feminine) strolling through the lights of the Metropole.
Meaning Mnemonic: Think of "Metro" (like the subway/underground system running through large cities) and "Polis" (Greek for city). So, a Metropole is a city so large and important it needs a complex transport network like a metro.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Großstadt: Basic term for a large city (often over 100,000 inhabitants).
- Weltstadt: A metropolis of global importance; a world city.
- Hauptstadt: The city that is the seat of government (can be, but isn't necessarily, a metropolis).
- Zentrum: Center, emphasizing the central function (e.g., Wirtschaftszentrum - economic center).
- Ballungsraum/Ballungszentrum: Urban agglomeration/metropolitan area, referring to densely populated areas, often surrounding a metropolis.
Antonyms (opposites):
- Dorf: Village.
- Kleinstadt: Small town.
- Provinz: Province, the rural area outside the major centers.
- Land: Countryside (as opposed to the city).
⚠️ Caution: Not every Hauptstadt (capital city) is automatically a Metropole in terms of size and global significance (e.g., Bern in Switzerland).
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Tourist den Berliner: "Entschuldigen Sie, wie komme ich am schnellsten zum Bahnhof?"
Antwortet der Berliner: "Sind Sie zu Fuß oder mit dem Taxi?"
Tourist: "Zu Fuß."
Berliner: "Dann am schnellsten mit dem Taxi!"
--- English Translation ---
A tourist asks a Berliner: "Excuse me, what's the quickest way to get to the train station?"
The Berliner replies: "Are you on foot or by taxi?"
Tourist: "On foot."
Berliner: "Then the quickest way is by taxi!"
(A little jest about the sometimes overwhelming size of a metropolis)
📜 Poem about the Metropolis
Die Metropole lebt, sie pulst und lacht,
Ein Meer aus Stein, bei Tag und Nacht.
Lichter funkeln, Straßen zieh'n,
Wo tausend Träume schnell verglüh'n.
Kultur und Handel, laut und bunt,
Auf Schritt und Tritt 'ne neue Stund'.
Sie zieht dich an, mit Kraft und Glanz,
Ein wilder, schöner Lebenstanz.
--- English Translation ---
The Metropolis lives, it pulses and laughs,
A sea of stone, by day and night.
Lights sparkle, streets extend,
Where a thousand dreams quickly fade.
Culture and commerce, loud and bright,
At every turn, a new hour's light.
It draws you in, with power and gleam,
A wild, beautiful dance of life's stream.
🧩 Little Riddle
Ich habe Türme, hoch und stolz,
Doch bin kein Wald aus totem Holz.
Millionen Lichter trage ich,
Und Menschenströme ständiglich.
Ich bin ein Zentrum, groß und weit,
Bekannt in aller Welt heut'.
Was bin ich? (Lösung: die Metropole)
--- English Translation ---
I have towers, tall and proud,
But am no forest of dead wood aloud.
Millions of lights I carry,
And streams of people constantly scurry.
I am a center, large and wide,
Known throughout the world today, with pride.
What am I? (Solution: the metropolis / die Metropole)
✨ Other Interesting Details
Word Composition & Origin: As mentioned, "Metropole" comes from Greek: μήτηρ (mētēr) 'mother' + πόλις (pólis) 'city'. Historically, it referred to the 'mother city' of a colony.
Well-known German-speaking Metropolises:
- 🇩🇪 Berlin
- 🇩🇪 Hamburg
- 🇩🇪 Munich (München)
- 🇦🇹 Vienna (Wien)
- 🇨🇭 Zurich (Zürich) (often called a financial metropolis / Finanzmetropole)
The term can also be used figuratively, e.g., "eine Metropole des Geistes" (a metropolis of the mind/spirit) for an important center of thought or science.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Metropole?
The word "Metropole" is feminine. The correct article is die Metropole. The plural is die Metropolen.