die
Parole
🗣️ What does "die Parole" mean?
The German word die Parole has several meanings:
- Slogan or Motto: A short, concise statement summarizing a political, social, or advertising message. It's often used to mobilize a group or spread an idea. Example: Die Demonstranten riefen ihre Parolen (The demonstrators shouted their slogans).
- Password or Watchword: A secret word or phrase used for identification, especially in the military or within organizations. Example: Der Wachposten fragte nach der Parole (The sentry asked for the password/watchword).
- (Less common, legal): Conditional release from prison (adopted from English/French 'parole', usually called "Bewährung" in German). This meaning is less common in German than the first two.
It is always a feminine noun: die Parole.
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 Parole
"Die Parole" is a feminine noun. Here is its declension:
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Parole |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Parole |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Parole |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Parole |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Parolen |
| Genitive | der | Parolen |
| Dative | den | Parolen |
| Accusative | die | Parolen |
💡 Example Sentences
- Die politische Partei gab eine neue Parole für den Wahlkampf aus. (The political party issued a new slogan for the election campaign.)
- Um eingelassen zu werden, musste er die richtige Parole nennen. (To be admitted, he had to give the correct password/watchword.)
- Die Demonstranten wiederholten ihre Parolen lautstark. (The demonstrators repeated their slogans loudly.)
- Ohne die korrekte Parole blieb das Tor verschlossen. (Without the correct password/watchword, the gate remained closed.)
🌐 How to use "die Parole"?
The use of die Parole heavily depends on the context:
- Politics & Society: Here, 'Parole' usually refers to a slogan or catchphrase identifying a specific movement or ideology. Example: "Freiheit, Gleichheit, Brüderlichkeit" war eine wichtige Parole der Französischen Revolution. ("Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" was an important slogan of the French Revolution.)
- Military & Security: In this context, 'Parole' is a watchword used to identify friend from foe. Example: Die Parole wechselt täglich. (The watchword changes daily.)
- Technology & Everyday Life (less common): Sometimes 'Parole' is used synonymously with 'Passwort' (password) or 'Kennwort' (password/code word) for system access, although 'Passwort' is more common here.
Distinction from similar words:
- Motto: Often more personal or related to an organization, more of a guiding principle than a rallying cry.
- Slogan: Widely used in advertising and politics, often catchier and shorter than a 'Parole'.
- Kennwort/Passwort: Usually refers to digital access or secret identification codes. 'Kennwort' is more general, 'Passwort' is specific to computers/online services. A 'Parole' can be a 'Kennwort', but often carries an additional ideological or military connotation.
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Parole"
For the article 'die': Think of die Losung (the watchword) or die Devise (the motto) – both are feminine German words with similar meanings. Or imagine die Wache (the (female) guard) asking for the Parole.
For the meaning: A Parole often plays an important role (like the German feminine noun die Rolle) in political campaigns (slogan) or for secret access (password/watchword).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar words):
Antonyms (opposite words):
Direct antonyms are difficult, but depending on the context, these might fit:
- das Schweigen (silence)
- die Geheimhaltung (secrecy)
- die Frage (the question - instead of the answer/parole)
⚠️ Similar but different words:
😂 A Little Joke
Warum brauchen Geister keine Parole, um ins Spukschloss zu kommen?
Weil sie einfach durch die Wände gehen können! 👻
(Why don't ghosts need a password to get into the haunted castle? Because they can just walk through the walls!)
📜 A Short Poem
Die Menge ruft, es klingt im Chor,
Die alte Parole dringt ans Ohr.
Ein Wort der Hoffnung, Mut und Kraft,
Das Einigkeit und Aufbruch schafft.
Am Tor der Wächter fragt bei Nacht:
"Wer da? Die Parole, habt Acht!"
Ein Flüstern nur, geheim und leis,
Öffnet den Weg auf dunkle Reis'.
(The crowd shouts, it rings in chorus,
The old slogan/watchword reaches the ear.
A word of hope, courage, and strength,
That creates unity and departure.
At the gate, the guard asks at night:
"Who's there? The password/watchword, beware!"
Only a whisper, secret and soft,
Opens the way on a dark journey.)
🧩 Riddle Time
Ich bin ein Wort, mal laut, mal leise.
Ich führ' die Menge auf die Reise,
Oder öffne dir bei Nacht das Tor,
Sag mich richtig, tritt hervor!
Was bin ich?
(I am a word, sometimes loud, sometimes quiet.
I lead the crowd on the journey,
Or open the gate for you at night,
Say me correctly, step forward!
What am I?)
Solution: die Parole
📎 Good to Know
Etymology: The word "Parole" comes from French, where "parole" simply means "word" or "speech". It was adopted into German in the 17th century, initially with the military meaning of "Losungswort" (watchword).
Legal Meaning: As mentioned in the definition, in a legal context, 'Parole' can mean "conditional release from prison," adopted directly from English/French. However, in German, the terms "Bewährung" or "Aussetzung zur Bewährung" (probation/suspended sentence) are much more common. Using 'Parole' in this sense is relatively rare and often limited to specialist jargon.
Compounds: You can also find 'Parole' in compound words like Durchhalteparole (slogan urging perseverance) or Wahlparole (election slogan).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Parole?
The German word Parole is always feminine. The correct article is die: die Parole, der Parole, die Parolen.