die
Regie
🎬 What does "die Regie" mean?
Die Regie refers to the artistic direction and overall responsibility for the performance of plays, or the production of films, radio plays, or television programs. It encompasses the interpretation of the work, the selection and guidance of performers, the design of the scene, and the coordination of all artistic and technical personnel involved.
There is only one article for this word: die. It is always feminine.
- Main meaning: Artistic direction (film, theater, etc.)
- Figurative meaning: Sometimes used for the coordination or organization of complex processes (e.g., "Die Regie im Projekt übernehmen" - to take over the direction/lead in the project).
⚠️ Caution: Do not confuse it with der Regisseur (male director) or die Regisseurin (female director), which are the people who direct (Regie führen).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ie → almost always feminine.
-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 Regie" in Detail
The noun "Regie" is feminine. It is normally only used in the singular. A plural form ("die Regien") is very rare and rather uncommon.
| Case | Article | Noun | English Translation of Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Regie | Subject |
| Genitive | der | Regie | Possessive |
| Dative | der | Regie | Indirect Object |
| Accusative | die | Regie | Direct Object |
Example Sentences for Grammar
- Der Film gewann einen Preis für die beste Regie.
(The film won an award for the best direction.) - Die Handschrift der Regie war unverkennbar.
(The signature style of the direction was unmistakable.) - Man überließ ihm die volle Kontrolle über die Regie.
(He was given full control over the direction.) - Bei diesem Stück lag alles an der Regie.
(In this play, everything depended on the direction.)
💡 How to use "die Regie"?
"Die Regie" is primarily used in artistic contexts. The most common phrase is "Regie führen" (to direct).
- Film & TV: Wer führt bei diesem Film Regie? (Who is directing this film?) Die Regie ist für die Umsetzung des Drehbuchs verantwortlich. (The direction is responsible for implementing the screenplay.)
- Theater & Opera: Die Regie des Stücks war sehr modern. (The direction of the play was very modern.) Er übernahm die Regie für die neue Operninszenierung. (He took over the direction for the new opera production.)
- Radio Play & Audio: Auch bei Hörspielen gibt es eine Regie, die Sprecher anleitet. (Radio plays also have direction that guides the speakers.)
- Figurative Sense: Less commonly, "Regie" is used for leadership or coordination in other areas, often slightly ironically or to emphasize complexity (e.g., "Er führt im Haushalt Regie." - He runs the show in the household.)
Comparison:
- Regie vs. Leitung: "Leitung" (leadership, management) is more general. "Regie" is specifically artistic direction.
- Regie vs. Inszenierung: "Inszenierung" (staging, production) often refers to the concrete result of the directing work in theater or opera, while "Regie" is the process and responsibility.
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Regie"
Article Mnemonic: Words ending in "-ie" in German are often feminine (like die Magie, die Therapie). Think: The magic (Magie) of the direction (Regie) is always feminine (die).
Meaning Mnemonic: "Regie" sounds a bit like the English word "regime" or the German "regieren" (to rule, to govern). The director governs or rules the scene, the actors, and the entire production. They are in charge – they führen Regie.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "Regie"
Synonyms (Similar Words):
- Leitung: (Leadership, direction) More general, but can be synonymous in an artistic context.
- Inszenierung: (Staging, production) Refers more to the result, the implementation on stage/film.
- Spielleitung: (Play direction) Older or more specific term, often used in theater.
- Führung: (Guidance, leadership) Very general, emphasizes the aspect of guiding.
Antonyms (Opposites):
Direct antonyms are difficult as "Regie" describes a specific process. Possible opposing concepts could be:
- Schauspiel / Darstellung: (Acting / Performance) The execution by the performers, not the direction.
- Zufall / Improvisation: (Chance / Improvisation) When something happens without planned direction.
- Chaos / Unordnung: (Chaos / Disorder) The opposite of planned coordination.
Similar but different words:
- das Regime: (Regime) A form of government, a political term.
- der Regisseur / die Regisseurin: (Director, male / female) The person who directs.
😂 A Little Joke
DE: Fragt der Produzent den Regisseur: "Warum brauchen wir eigentlich 50 Statisten für die Wüstenszene?"
Antwortet der Regisseur: "Damit es nicht so leer aussieht."
Produzent: "Aber... es ist doch eine Wüste?!"
Regisseur: "Genau! Eine gut besuchte Wüste! Das ist meine künstlerische Vision!"
EN: The producer asks the director: "Why do we actually need 50 extras for the desert scene?"
The director replies: "So it doesn't look so empty."
Producer: "But... it's a desert?!"
Director: "Exactly! A well-attended desert! That's my artistic vision!"
📜 Poem about Regie
DE:
Im Dunkel sitzt, wer alles lenkt,
Der Szene Leben schenkt,
Mit Plan und Kunst, Gefühl und Blick,
Führt die Regie das Stück zurück,
Ins Licht, Applaus, zum großen Spiel,
Erreicht das künstlerische Ziel.
EN:
In darkness sits, who guides it all,
Giving life to scenes, standing tall,
With plan and art, feeling and sight,
The Regie leads the play back to light,
To applause, the grand performance's thrill,
Achieving the artistic skill.
🧩 Little Riddle
DE:
Ich bin die Hand, die unsichtbar lenkt,
Im Film und Theater man an mich denkt.
Ich forme die Szenen, leite den Chor,
Bring Darsteller auf die Bühne hervor.
Wer bin ich, die das Ganze arrangiert?
(Die künstlerische Leitung, oft hoch verehrt!)
Lösung: die Regie
EN:
I am the hand, unseen, that guides,
In film and theater, thought resides.
I shape the scenes, direct the sound,
Bring actors forth on hallowed ground.
Who am I, arranging the whole sphere?
(The artistic direction, often held dear!)
Solution: die Regie (the direction)
✨ More Information
Word Origin: The word "Regie" comes from the French word régie, which originally meant "administration" or "management," especially of state-owned enterprises (e.g., tobacco monopoly - Tabakregie). In the 19th century, the term was transferred to artistic direction in the theater.
Compounds (Zusammensetzungen):
- Regieanweisung: (Stage direction/screen direction) Instructions in the script for actors and crew.
- Regiearbeit: (Directorial work) The activity of directing.
- Regiekonzept: (Directorial concept) The artistic idea behind a production.
- Regiepult: (Control desk/console) The control panel in a studio or at an event.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Regie?
The German word "Regie" is always feminine. The correct article is "die". It refers to the artistic direction in film, theater, and similar productions.