die
Patrouille
🕵️♀️ What does "die Patrouille" mean?
Die Patrouille (noun, feminine) refers to a patrol, typically a reconnaissance or security round carried out by a small group of soldiers, police officers, or guards. The purpose is to monitor, secure, or explore a specific area, show presence, detect potential dangers early, or maintain order.
There is only this one meaning and the article is always die. 🚨 Be careful not to confuse it with similarly sounding or spelled words with different meanings.
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 Patrouille" in Detail
The word "Patrouille" is a feminine noun. Here is its declension:
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Patrouille |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Patrouille |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Patrouille |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Patrouille |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Patrouillen |
| Genitive | der | Patrouillen |
| Dative | den | Patrouillen |
| Accusative | die | Patrouillen |
📜 Example Sentences
- Die nächtliche Patrouille überprüfte die verlassenen Lagerhallen.
(The nightly patrol checked the abandoned warehouses.) - Der Kommandant befahl den Soldaten, auf Patrouille zu gehen.
(The commander ordered the soldiers to go on patrol.) - Während der Patrouille entdeckten sie verdächtige Spuren im Schnee.
(During the patrol, they discovered suspicious tracks in the snow.) - Wir begegneten mehreren Patrouillen auf unserem Weg durch die Stadt.
(We encountered several patrols on our way through the city.)
🚶♀️ How is "die Patrouille" used?
The term "Patrouille" is primarily used in contexts related to security, surveillance, and control.
- Military: Soldaten gehen auf Patrouille (soldiers go on patrol) to reconnoiter enemy activity or secure areas. (e.g., Aufklärungspatrouille - reconnaissance patrol, Kampfpatrouille - combat patrol)
- Police: Polizisten sind auf Patrouille (Streife) (police officers are on patrol/beat) to ensure public order and prevent crime. (e.g., Fußpatrouille - foot patrol, Streifenwagenpatrouille - patrol car patrol)
- Security Services: Wachpersonal führt Patrouillen durch (guards conduct patrols) on company premises or at events.
- Figurative meaning: Less commonly, it can refer to inspection rounds in other areas (e.g., a Kontrollpatrouille through a nature reserve).
Typical phrases include:
- auf Patrouille sein/gehen (to be/go on patrol)
- eine Patrouille durchführen/machen (to conduct/do a patrol)
- von einer Patrouille gestellt werden (to be stopped/intercepted by a patrol)
In everyday language, the synonym "Streife" (also feminine: die Streife) is often used, especially in the police context.
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Patrouille"
Article Mnemonic: Words ending in -ille in German are often feminine (like die Brille - glasses, die Pille - pill). This applies to die Patrouille too. Imagine a female soldier (die Soldatin) wearing cool glasses (die Brille) while on patrol (die Patrouille). It's all 'die'!
Meaning Mnemonic: "Patrouille" sounds a bit like "patrol". Imagine someone carefully patrolling an area, keeping watch. That's exactly what a Patrouille does.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms of Patrouille
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Die Streife: Very common synonym, especially for police patrols ('beat').
- Der Kontrollgang: Emphasizes the checking/inspection aspect ('inspection round').
- Der Rundgang: More general, can also be without a specific security aspect ('round', 'tour').
- Die Wache / Wachrunde: Often refers to guarding a fixed post, but can include a round ('guard', 'guard round').
- Der Spähtrupp (Military): Focuses on reconnaissance and gathering information ('scouting party').
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
Direct antonyms are tricky, but one could consider:
- Die Untätigkeit: Inactivity, the opposite of active control.
- Der Stillstand: Standstill, no movement or monitoring through movement.
- Die Stationierung / Das Postieren: Staying in a fixed position instead of moving ('stationing', 'posting').
- Der Rückzug: Withdrawal, the opposite of advancing or securing an area ('retreat').
⚠️ Caution: Do not confuse with "die Pastille" (a small lozenge or candy).
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der eine Polizist den anderen auf Patrouille: "Du, sag mal, warum schleichst du eigentlich immer so leise?" Antwortet der andere: "Damit ich höre, ob jemand kommt und uns bei der Arbeit stört!"
Translation: One policeman on patrol asks the other: "Hey, tell me, why are you always sneaking around so quietly?" The other replies: "So I can hear if someone is coming to disturb us while we're working!"
📜 Poem about the Patrouille
Die Nacht ist dunkel, kühl der Wind,
Die Patrouille leise beginnt.
Schritt für Schritt durch leere Straßen,
Augen wachsam, nichts verpassen.
Ob Freund, ob Feind, im Schatten lauscht,
Sicherheit, die man sich ertauscht.
Ein Ruf, ein Licht, dann ist es still,
So will es die Pflicht, die Patrouille.
Translation:
The night is dark, the wind is cool,
The patrol quietly begins its rule.
Step by step through empty streets,
Eyes watchful, missing no deceits.
Whether friend or foe, listening in the shade,
Security, a price that's paid.
A call, a light, then silence deep,
So duty demands, the patrol must keep.
❓ Riddle
Ich ziehe umher, bei Tag und Nacht,
habe stets auf Sicherheit bedacht.
Mal in Uniform, mal leis' und still,
mein Gang ist Kontrolle, das ist mein Ziel.
Wer bin ich?
Translation:
I roam around, by day and night,
Always keeping safety in sight.
Sometimes in uniform, sometimes quiet and still,
My walk is control, that is my will.
Who am I?
(The answer: die Patrouille)
🧩 Other Information
Word Origin: The word "Patrouille" comes from French (patrouille), which originally meant "to paddle in the mud" (from patouiller). This likely referred to the sound or manner of movement of night watchmen.
Compounds: You often find the word in compounds (Wortzusammensetzungen) such as:
- Fußpatrouille (foot patrol)
- Nachtpatrouille (night patrol)
- Grenzpatrouille (border patrol)
- Aufklärungspatrouille (reconnaissance patrol)
- Polizeipatrouille (police patrol)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Patrouille?
The German word "Patrouille", meaning a patrol (especially by police or military), is always feminine. The correct article is exclusively die Patrouille.