die
Niederlage
⚔️ What does "die Niederlage" mean?
Die Niederlage (noun, feminine) means defeat or loss in a fight, competition, confrontation, or game. It is the opposite of Sieg (victory) or Erfolg (success).
- In sports: Losing a game or competition (e.g., "Die Mannschaft musste eine bittere Niederlage einstecken." - The team had to suffer a bitter defeat.).
- In military/conflict: Losing a battle or war (e.g., "Die Niederlage bei Waterloo beendete Napoleons Herrschaft." - The defeat at Waterloo ended Napoleon's rule.).
- Figuratively: A failure, setback, or fiasco in personal or professional matters (e.g., "Die Ablehnung seines Antrags war eine persönliche Niederlage für ihn." - The rejection of his application was a personal defeat for him.).
⚠️ It's important to distinguish die Niederlage (the defeat, the state of being beaten) from der Verlust (the loss of something or someone), although a defeat often involves losses.
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: die Niederlage in Detail
The word "Niederlage" is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always die.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Niederlage |
| Genitive | der | Niederlage |
| Dative | der | Niederlage |
| Accusative | die | Niederlage |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Niederlagen |
| Genitive | der | Niederlagen |
| Dative | den | Niederlagen |
| Accusative | die | Niederlagen |
Example Sentences
- Die Mannschaft erlitt eine schmerzhafte Niederlage im Finale.
(The team suffered a painful defeat in the final.) - Trotz der Niederlage gab das Team nicht auf.
(Despite the defeat, the team didn't give up.) - Nach der Niederlage analysierten sie ihre Fehler.
(After the defeat, they analyzed their mistakes.) - Sie mussten die Niederlage akzeptieren.
(They had to accept the defeat.) - Aus diesen Niederlagen kann man viel lernen.
(One can learn a lot from these defeats.)
💡 How to use "die Niederlage"?
"Die Niederlage" is used in various contexts, mostly to describe the outcome of a contest or struggle:
- Sports: Very common in sports journalism and discussions about game results. You might hear of a klare Niederlage (clear defeat), knappe Niederlage (narrow defeat), unerwartete Niederlage (unexpected defeat), or bittere Niederlage (bitter defeat).
- Military & Politics: Describes the outcome of battles, wars, or political contests (e.g., eine Wahlniederlage - an election defeat).
- Personal Failure: Can also be used to describe a feeling of failure or a setback in life, e.g., in exams or professional projects.
Typical verbs: eine Niederlage erleiden (to suffer), einstecken (to take, suffer), hinnehmen (to accept), zugeben (to admit), akzeptieren (to accept); jemandem eine Niederlage beibringen (to inflict a defeat on someone).
Distinction from "Verlust": While Niederlage is the result of a competition, "Verlust" refers to the absence or lack of something (e.g., Verlust des Arbeitsplatzes - loss of job, Verlust eines geliebten Menschen - loss of a loved one). However, a military Niederlage can result in heavy Verluste (losses in terms of personnel and material).
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Niederlage"
For the article "die": Think of a female leader (feminine, "die") being defeated – imagine Wonder Woman (die Frau) suffering a rare die Niederlage.
For the meaning: Break it down: "nieder" sounds like nether (down, below) and "Lage" sounds like lager (position, situation). A Niederlage is a situation where you are brought down, a defeat. You're in a low(er) position = Niederlage.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Niederlage
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Das Debakel: A debacle, a major, often embarrassing defeat.
- Die Pleite: Often in an economic context (bankruptcy), but colloquially also for a defeat or failure.
- Die Schlappe: Colloquial term for a (often unexpected) defeat or setback.
- Der Misserfolg: Failure, a general term for not achieving a goal.
- Die Unterlegenheit: Inferiority, the state of being weaker or worse than the opponent, often leading to defeat.
⚠️ Similar Words:
Der Verlust: As mentioned, this means loss (the state of no longer having something), not necessarily the result of direct competition. You can suffer der Verlust of your keys, but you don't suffer eine Niederlage against your keys.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Trainer seine Mannschaft nach der hohen Niederlage: "Wer von euch hat eigentlich den Anstoß ausgeführt?"
Meldet sich der Torwart: "Ich nicht, ich musste doch den Ball gleich wieder aus dem Netz holen!"
Translation:
After a heavy defeat, the coach asks his team: "Who actually took the kick-off?"
The goalkeeper replies: "Not me, I had to immediately get the ball out of the net again!"
📜 Poem about Niederlage
Der Kampf gekämpft, das Spiel gespielt,
Die Hoffnung hoch, das Ziel gezielt.
Doch dann der Schlag, die Wendung kam,
Der Gegner stark, die Freude nahm.
Die Niederlage, schwer und kalt,
Ein stummer Schrei im Siegerwald.
Doch aus dem Staub, da wächst der Mut,
Fürs nächste Mal wird alles gut.
Translation:
The fight was fought, the game was played,
Hopes were high, the aim was made.
But then the blow, the turning tide,
The foe was strong, joy stepped aside.
The defeat, so heavy, cold,
A silent scream, a story told.
But from the dust, courage takes flight,
For next time round, things will be right.
🤔 Little Riddle
Ich bin das Ende mancher Schlacht,
Hab manchen Helden umgebracht (im übertragenen Sinne!).
Im Sport bin ich oft sehr beklagt,
Auch wenn man daraus Lehren jagt.
Der Sieger kennt mich nicht als Freund,
Ich bin das, was der Verlierer träumt... zu vermeiden.
Was bin ich?
(Auflösung: die Niederlage)
Translation:
I am the end of many a battle,
I've 'slain' many heroes (figuratively!).
In sports, I'm often lamented,
Even though lessons from me are hunted.
The victor doesn't know me as a friend,
I am what the loser dreams... to fend off.
What am I?
(Answer: die Niederlage / defeat)
🧩 More Info on Niederlage
Etymology
The word "Niederlage" is composed of:
- nieder: Adverb/prefix meaning "down", "to the ground".
- Lage: Noun meaning "position", "situation", "location".
Historically, "Niederlage" also referred to a place where goods were laid down (niedergelegt), i.e., stored and sold (a warehouse or branch office). This meaning is rare today and mostly replaced by "Niederlassung" (branch, subsidiary).
Idioms
- Eine Niederlage einstecken müssen: To have to suffer/take a defeat.
- Jemandem eine Niederlage beibringen: To inflict a defeat on someone.
- Sich die Niederlage eingestehen: To admit defeat.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Niederlage?
The German word Niederlage is a feminine noun. Therefore, the correct article is always die (die Niederlage, der Niederlage, die Niederlagen).