die  Reserve

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʁeˈzɛʁvə/

📖 What exactly is 'die Reserve'?

Die Reserve (noun, feminine) has several meanings:

• Supply/Stockpile: Something held back for later use or emergencies (e.g., finanzielle Reserven - financial reserves, Ölreserven - oil reserves). Example: The company built up financial Reserven for hard times.
• Military: The collective body of soldiers and units not permanently active but available for mobilization when needed. Example: He belongs to the Reserve of the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces).
• Sports: Substitute players or a substitute team. Example: The striker sat on the Reservebank (bench) for a long time.
• Restraint/Shyness/Distance: A cautious, distant attitude in dealing with other people. Example: She treated him with a certain Reserve.
• Nature Conservation: A protected area for animals or plants (often also called Reservat). Example: Rare bird species live in this Reserve.
• Technology/Everyday Life: A spare part or an additional quantity (e.g., fuel in the Reservetank - reserve tank). Example: We are already driving on Reserve.

🚨 Attention: The word is always feminine (die Reserve), regardless of its meaning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'die Reserve' in Detail

The noun "Reserve" is feminine. Here are the declension tables:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Wir müssen unsere letzten Reserven mobilisieren.
   (We must mobilize our last reserves.)
2. Die emotionale Reserve der Ärztin war aufgebraucht.
   (The doctor's emotional reserve was exhausted.)
3. Der Soldat wurde in die Reserve versetzt.
   (The soldier was transferred to the reserve.)
4. Ihre anfängliche Reserve wich bald Neugier.
   (Her initial reserve soon gave way to curiosity.)
5. Das Land verfügt über bedeutende Ölreserven.
   (The country has significant oil reserves.)

💡 How to use 'die Reserve'

The term "Reserve" is versatile:

• In everyday life: Used when talking about things you hold back or save up ("Lebensmittelreserven" - food reserves, "auf Reserve fahren" - to drive on the reserve fuel).
• Economy & Finance: Here, "finanzielle Reserven" (financial reserves) or "Währungsreserven" (currency reserves) are key concepts for security and stability.
• Military & Security: Refers to non-active troop units ("Reservist" - reservist, "die Reserve einberufen" - to call up the reserve).
• Sports: The substitute bench or substitute players are often referred to as "die Reserve".
• Psychology/Social context: Describes a personality trait or behavior ("aus der Reserve locken" - to draw someone out, "mit Reserve betrachten" - to view with reserve).
• Nature & Environment: In the sense of protected areas ("Naturreserve" - nature reserve).

Context is crucial: The meaning usually becomes clear from the context of the sentence. Sometimes, instead of "Reserve", words like "Rücklage" (financial provision), "Vorrat" (general stock), or "Ersatz" (substitute in sports, technology) are used.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Reserve'

Article Mnemonic: Think of the English word "reserve" itself. Many feminine nouns in German end in -e, like die Reserve. Imagine a reserved lady (die Dame) keeping something in reserve.

Meaning Mnemonic: The word "reserve" sounds very similar in English and German. Just remember it means holding something back – whether it's money, soldiers, fuel, or even your emotions. You re-serve it for later.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: "Reservierung" (e.g., table reservation) is related but means the act of booking, not the stock itself.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Eichhörnchen immer eine extra Nuss mit?
– Für die strategische Winter-Reserve! 🐿️

Translation: Why do squirrels always take an extra nut?
– For the strategic winter reserve! 🐿️

✒️ Poem about 'die Reserve'

Im Keller lagert Wein, so fein,
für Gäste, oder ganz allein.
Die Konten zeigen gut gefüllt,
die Zukunft ist in Tuch gehüllt.
Der Sportler wartet an der Seit',
für seinen Einsatz stets bereit.
Ein Lächeln, höflich, doch distanziert,
die Reserve wird oft zelebriert.

Translation:
In the cellar stores wine, so fine,
for guests, or just for me, all mine.
The accounts show they're well-filled,
the future is securely spilled.
The athlete waits upon the side,
for his moment, ready to ride.
A smile, polite, yet keeping distance near,
the reserve is often held so dear.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin mal Geld, mal Mann im Heer,
mal Sprit im Tank, schon fast ganz leer.
Ich bin die Schüchternheit, ganz sacht,
und auch der Spieler, der noch wacht.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: die Reserve

Translation:
Sometimes I'm money, sometimes a man in the army,
Sometimes fuel in the tank, almost empty, barely any.
I am shyness, ever so slight,
And also the player who waits for the light.

What am I?

Solution: die Reserve

💡 Other Interesting Facts

Etymology: The word "Reserve" comes from the French réserve, which in turn derives from the Latin reservare ("to keep back", "to reserve").

Related terms:

• Reservist/Reservistin: Person belonging to the military reserve.
• Reservieren: To book or make a reservation (e.g., a seat).
• Reservat: A reserve or reservation (often for nature or indigenous peoples).
• Unreserviert: Unreserved, open, frank.