die
Revanche
🧐 What exactly does "die Revanche" mean?
Die Revanche (from French: revanche) is a feminine noun in German and primarily means two things:
- Retaliation or Counterstroke: An action taken in response to a suffered defeat, insult, or injustice. The goal is often to restore balance or to seek revenge for something. Example: Nach der Beleidigung sann er auf Revanche. (After the insult, he plotted revenge/retaliation.)
- Rematch or Repeat of a Competition: Especially in sports or games, die Revanche refers to the opportunity to make up for a previous loss in a new competition. Example: Der Boxer forderte eine Revanche für den verlorenen Titelkampf. (The boxer demanded a rematch for the lost title fight.)
⚠️ Although it sounds similar, die Revanche often has a less negative or hateful connotation than die Rache (revenge). In a sporting context, it's a completely neutral term.
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 Revanche" in Detail
The noun "die Revanche" is feminine. It is mainly used in the singular. The plural ("die Revanchen") is grammatically correct but rather uncommon.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Revanche |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Revanche |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Revanche |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Revanche |
Declension Plural - rare
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Revanchen |
| Genitive | der | Revanchen |
| Dative | den | Revanchen |
| Accusative | die | Revanchen |
Example Sentences ✍️
- Nach der Niederlage im Hinspiel brannte die Mannschaft auf Revanche.
(After the defeat in the first leg, the team was eager for a rematch.) - Er bot seinem Gegner sofort eine Revanche im Schach an.
(He immediately offered his opponent a rematch in chess.) - Ihre politische Aktion war eine klare Revanche für die Angriffe der Opposition.
(Her political action was clear retaliation for the opposition's attacks.) - Manchmal ist es besser, auf eine Revanche zu verzichten und stattdessen zu vergeben.
(Sometimes it's better to forgo revenge/a rematch and forgive instead.)
🗣️ How is "die Revanche" used?
Die Revanche is used in various contexts:
In Sports and Games:
Here, die Revanche is very common and refers to the return match or repeat of a competition after a loss. It's a neutral term.
- Das Pokalfinale war die perfekte Gelegenheit zur Revanche.
(The cup final was the perfect opportunity for a rematch.) - Sie gewährte ihm keine Revanche beim Kartenspiel.
(She didn't grant him a rematch in the card game.)
In Conflicts and Disputes:
Here, the meaning approaches that of "retaliation" or "counterstroke". It can refer to personal, social, or political situations.
- Seine Entlassung war die Revanche des Chefs für seine Kritik.
(His dismissal was the boss's retaliation for his criticism.) - Aus reiner Revanche verbreitete er Gerüchte.
(He spread rumors out of pure spite/revenge.)
Distinction from "Rache":
While die Rache (revenge) is often associated with strong negative emotions like hatred and the desire for destruction, die Revanche can be more neutral (especially in sports) or at least perceived as a more 'just' form of retaliation aimed at restoring balance.
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Revanche"
Remembering the article: Think of its French origin. Many French loanwords ending in -e are feminine in German (die). Like die Garage, die Chance, it's die Revanche.
Remembering the meaning: "Revanche" sounds a bit like "Re-match" or "Re-avenge". It's the chance to have another go (a re-match) or to get back at someone (re-avenge an injustice or defeat).
🔁 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Gegenschlag: Counterstrike, retaliation.
- Vergeltung: Retribution, retaliation (often stronger than Revanche).
- Rückspiel / Wiederholungsspiel: Return match / Rematch (specific to sports).
- Retourkutsche (colloquial): Tit-for-tat, quick comeback/retaliation.
- Wiedergutmachung (conditional): Reparation, making amends (if the revanche is seen as balancing a wrong).
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Vergebung / Verzeihen: Forgiveness.
- Nachgeben / Einlenken: Giving in, yielding.
- Akzeptanz (der Niederlage): Acceptance (of defeat).
Similar but Different Words:
- Die Rache: Revenge, usually stronger, more emotional, and often more destructive than die Revanche.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Schiedsrichter den Verlierer nach dem Boxkampf: "Wollen Sie eine Revanche?"
Antwortet der Boxer: "Nein danke, ich habe schon genug Schläge revanchiert bekommen!"
Translation:
The referee asks the loser after the boxing match: "Do you want a rematch (Revanche)?"
The boxer replies: "No thanks, I've already had enough punches 'revanchiert' (returned/given back) to me!" (It's a pun, using 'revanchiert' like 'received in return'.)
📜 Poem about Revanche
Das Spiel verloren, der Stolz verletzt,
Ein Funke glimmt, der Wunsch zuletzt:
Die Revanche soll es richten,
Die Scharte auswetzen, neu berichten.
Im Sport fair, im Streit oft bitter,
Der zweite Kampf, ein Hoffnungs-Splitter.
Translation:
The game was lost, the pride was hurt,
A spark now glows, the final spurt:
The rematch should set things right,
To mend the flaw, report anew with might.
In sports it's fair, in quarrels often bitter,
The second fight, a hopeful glitter.
🧩 Riddle Time
Ich bin die Antwort auf 'noch einmal!',
Besonders nach 'nem Spiel mit Qual.
Mal heiß ersehnt, mal nur 'ne Geste,
Im Sport die Chance für das Beste.
Manchmal auch im Streit entfacht,
Hab' oft den Ausgleich schon gebracht.
Was bin ich? (Lösung: die Revanche)
Translation:
I am the answer to 'one more time!',
Especially after a game of grime.
Sometimes yearned for, sometimes just a sign,
In sports, the chance to truly shine.
Sometimes sparked in angry rows,
I've often balanced highs and lows.
What am I?
(Answer: die Revanche)
ℹ️ Interesting Facts
Origin: The word "Revanche" comes directly from French, where revanche also means "retaliation", "counterstroke", or "rematch". It derives from the verb revancher, meaning "to avenge" or "to compensate".
Cultural Significance: The term played a significant role historically, for example, in the context of "Revanchism" after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71, where France sought revanche for its defeat and the loss of Alsace-Lorraine.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Revanche?
The word "Revanche" is feminine. The correct article is die Revanche.