die
Neige
What does 'die Neige' mean? 🤔
The word die Neige has several, often related meanings:
- The remainder, dregs (especially of liquids): This often refers to the small amount left in a container that you can only get by tilting (neigen) it. Example: die Neige des Weines (the dregs of the wine).
- The end, the decline: It can also be used figuratively to describe the end of a period, a supply, or a state. Example: Das Jahr geht zur Neige. (The year is drawing to a close.)
- The slope, the incline (less common): Less frequently used as a noun, but related to the verb neigen (to tilt, incline). Refers to a slope or gradient.
🚨 The most common usage is in the phrase "zur Neige gehen", which means that something is running low or is about to be used up.
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 Neige
Die Neige is a feminine noun. It follows the weak declension (n-declension), which is rare for feminine nouns, but here it mostly only appears in the dative singular, if the inflected form is used at all. It is most often used in fixed phrases or in the nominative/accusative singular.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die | Neige |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der | Neige |
| Dative (To/For Whom?) | der | Neige / rarely: Neigen |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die | Neige |
Declension Plural
The plural "die Neigen" is very uncommon and rarely used.
Example Sentences 📝
- Der Wein ging zur Neige.
(The wine was running low.) (Meaning: remainder/end) - Er trank die Flasche bis zur Neige aus.
(He drank the bottle to the last drop / completely.) (Meaning: remainder) - Die Vorräte gehen zur Neige.
(The supplies are running out.) (Meaning: end/scarcity) - Sein Leben neigte sich dem Ende zu.
(His life was drawing to a close.) (Here the verb neigen, related to die Neige, is used.)
When to use 'die Neige'? 💡
The word die Neige is primarily used in specific contexts and fixed phrases:
- "Zur Neige gehen" / "sich zur Neige neigen": This is the most frequent use and means that something (a supply, resource, period of time) is becoming scarce, ending, or being used up. Examples: Die Geduld geht zur Neige. (Patience is running thin.) Der Sommer neigt sich zur Neige. (Summer is drawing to a close.)
- "Bis zur Neige": Means "completely", "to the very last bit/drop". Often used in the context of drinking or savoring something. Example: Er kostete das Gefühl bis zur Neige aus. (He savored the feeling to the fullest.) Sie trank das Glas bis zur Neige leer. (She drained the glass.)
- Poetic/Literary: Outside these idioms, die Neige can sound somewhat elevated or literary, especially when referring to the actual remainder of a liquid.
Compared to "der Rest" (the rest, remainder), "die Neige" often emphasizes the approaching end or scarcity, whereas "Rest" is more neutral.
Memory Aids for 'die Neige' 🧠
Article Mnemonic (die)
Many feminine nouns end in -e. Think: Die empty bottle only has a little Neige left.
Meaning Mnemonic (End/Remainder)
The word comes from the verb neigen (to tilt/incline). Imagine you have to neigen (tilt) a bottle to get the last remainder, the Neige. That's the end of the contents!
Similar and Opposite Words 🔄
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
Risk of Confusion? 🤔
Die Neigung: Although related (both from neigen), die Neigung means something different: 1. a tendency or liking (eine Neigung zur Musik haben - to have a penchant for music), 2. a slope or gradient (die Neigung des Daches - the slope of the roof), 3. a bow or nod.
A Little Joke 😄
Warum war die Weinflasche traurig?
Weil ihre Beziehung zum Inhalt zur Neige ging!
(Why was the wine bottle sad?
Because its relationship with the contents was coming to an end / running low!)
Poem about 'Neige' 📜
Die Kerze flackert, bald ist's Nacht,
der Tag hat sich zur Neige sacht
geneigt, wie auch der letzte Schluck,
im Glas zurück, welch Missgeschick.
Doch auch das Ende birgt oft Sinn,
denn nach der Neige kommt Beginn.
(The candle flickers, soon it's night,
the day has gently drawn to its close,
inclined, like the very last sip,
left in the glass, what bad luck.
But the end often holds meaning too,
for after the Neige comes the new.)
Guess What! 🕵️
Ich bin das Letzte oft im Glas,
mach' manchem dennoch großen Spaß.
Geh' ich zur Neige, wird es knapp,
was bin ich wohl? Rate knapp!
(I am often the last in the glass,
yet still bring joy to many, alas.
When I run low, things get tight,
what am I? Guess with all your might!)
(Solution: Die Neige)
Further Information 🤓
Word Origin (Etymology)
The word Neige comes from the Old High German verb "(h)neigen", which meant "to bend", "to lower" or "to incline towards". The noun's meaning of "remainder" developed from the action of tilting (neigen) a vessel to get the last of its contents.
Related Words
- neigen (verb): to tilt, to tend, to bow
- Neigung (noun): tendency, liking, slope, bow
- geneigt (adjective): inclined, sloped, disposed, willing
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Neige?
The word Neige is feminine: die Neige. It usually refers to the remainder (especially of liquids) or the end or scarcity of something (e.g., Vorräte gehen zur Neige - supplies are running low).