die
Parade
🥁 What does 'die Parade' mean?
The German word die Parade has several meanings:
- Public procession/march: The most common meaning is a festive or military procession, often involving music and uniforms. Example: die Militärparade (the military parade), die Karnevalsparade (the carnival parade).
- Save in sports (esp. goalkeeper): A successful defensive action, especially by a goalkeeper, to prevent a goal. Example: Der Torwart zeigte eine Glanzparade (The goalkeeper made a brilliant save).
- Parry in fencing: Deflecting an opponent's thrust or cut with one's own blade.
🚨 It is a feminine noun and always uses the article 'die'.
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 Parade' in Detail
Die Parade is a feminine noun. Here is its declension:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die | Parade |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der | Parade |
| Dative (To whom?) | der | Parade |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die | Parade |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Paraden |
| Genitive | der | Paraden |
| Dative | den | Paraden |
| Accusative | die | Paraden |
💡 Example Sentences
- (Procession) Morgen findet die große Parade zum Nationalfeiertag statt.
(Tomorrow, the big parade for the national holiday takes place.) - (Sports) Mit einer unglaublichen Parade rettete der Torwart den Sieg.
(With an incredible save, the goalkeeper secured the victory.) - (Fencing) Der Fechter konterte den Angriff mit einer schnellen Parade.
(The fencer countered the attack with a quick parry.) - (Plural) Die Zuschauer bewunderten die farbenfrohen Paraden beim Karneval.
(The spectators admired the colourful parades during carnival.)
Context Matters: When to use 'die Parade'
The use of die Parade strongly depends on the context:
- Festivals & Military: When talking about public processions for festive occasions (e.g., *Schützenfest* (marksmen's festival), carnival, pride parades) or military ceremonies, 'die Parade' is the appropriate word (die Siegesparade - victory parade, die Militärparade - military parade).
- Sports: In football (soccer), handball, or ice hockey, 'die Parade' refers to a successful save by the goalkeeper. A particularly spectacular save is often called a 'Glanzparade' (brilliant save).
- Fencing: Here, 'die Parade' is a technical term for the defensive technique (parry).
Figuratively, *jemandem in die Parade fahren* means *to thwart someone's plans* or *to interfere with what someone is doing.*
⚠️ Don't confuse 'die Parade' with 'das Paradies' (paradise)!
🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Parade'
- Article Mnemonic: Think of die Show, die Feier (the celebration) – these feminine concepts fit the spectacle of die Parade. A parade is often a big *show*.
- Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine soldiers at a military parade standing tall, *parrying* or *defending* against attacks (like a goalie *saving* a shot or a fencer *parrying*). Or picture a colorful carnival parade *warding off* bad moods with its cheerfulness.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for 'die Parade'
Synonyms (Similar words):
Similar-sounding words:
- parat: *Adjective*, meaning 'ready' (e.g., Ich bin parat. - I am ready.) - Don't confuse them!
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Trainer den Torwart nach dem Spiel: "Na, wie viele Paraden hast du heute geschafft?"
Sagt der Torwart stolz: "Zwei! Eine mit links und eine mit rechts!"
Fragt der Trainer: "Und was war mit den fünf Bällen dazwischen?"
Torwart: "Ach, die waren doch unhaltbar!"
Translation:
The coach asks the goalkeeper after the game: "So, how many saves did you make today?"
The goalkeeper proudly says: "Two! One with the left and one with the right!"
The coach asks: "And what about the five balls in between?"
Goalkeeper: "Oh, those were impossible to save!"
📜 Poem about the Parade
Die bunte Parade
Trommeln klingen, Hörner schallen,
durch die Straßen Leute wallen.
Fahnen weh'n im Sonnenlicht,
ein Lächeln auf jedem Gesicht.
Soldaten stolz im gleichen Schritt,
nehmen alle Blicke mit.
Oder Clowns im Karneval,
die Parade – überall!
Im Tor der Held, Applaus wird laut,
hat den Ball geschickt geklaut.
Eine Parade, schnell, gekonnt,
die den Sieg am Horizont.
Translation: The Colourful Parade
Drums are sounding, horns are blaring,
Through the streets, people are faring.
Flags wave in the sun's bright light,
A smile on every face in sight.
Soldiers proud in marching pace,
Capturing glances every place.
Or clowns in carnival's array,
The parade – brightening the day!
In goal the hero, cheers resound,
Skillfully stole the ball, safe and sound.
A save performed, quick and so neat,
Bringing victory, oh so sweet.
🧩 Riddle
Ich zieh durch die Stadt mit Musik und mit Pracht,
mal militärisch, mal bunt über Nacht.
Im Tor bin ich Rettung in letzter Sekund',
beim Fechter die Abwehr, blitzschnell und gesund.
Was bin ich?
Translation:
I move through the city with music and splendor,
Sometimes military, sometimes colourful surrender.
In goal, I'm the rescue at the very last second,
For the fencer, the defense, lightning-fast reckoned.
What am I?
🌐 Other Information
Etymology (Word Origin): The word 'Parade' comes from the French word parade, which originally meant 'display', 'pomp', or also 'defense' (in fencing). It traces back further to the Italian parata and ultimately to the Latin parare, meaning 'to prepare', 'to keep ready', or 'to adorn'.
Compound Words (Wortzusammensetzungen):
- Militärparade (military parade)
- Siegesparade (victory parade)
- Karnevalsparade / Faschingsparade (carnival parade)
- Glanzparade (brilliant save - sports)
- Truppenparade (troop parade)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Parade?
The German word Parade is always feminine. Therefore, the correct article is exclusively die Parade.