die
Runde
🎯 What does "die Runde" mean?
Die Runde is a feminine noun in German with several meanings:
- Circle / Round shape / Group: Refers to a circular shape, a movement in a circle, or a group of people, often sitting in a circle. Example: Wir saßen in gemütlicher Runde am Lagerfeuer. (We sat in a cozy circle/group by the campfire.)
- Round / Stage / Lap: A segment or stage in a competition, game, negotiation, or race. Example: Die nächste Runde im Pokal wird schwer. (The next round in the cup will be difficult.) Der Läufer absolviert seine letzte Runde. (The runner is completing his last lap.)
- Group / Company: A gathering of people, often for a specific activity. Example: Eine illustre Runde hatte sich zum Kartenspiel eingefunden. (An illustrious group had gathered for a card game.)
- Circuit / Patrol: A recurring route or patrol path. Example: Der Wachmann macht seine Runde durch das Gebäude. (The security guard makes his rounds through the building.)
- Round of drinks: An order of drinks for everyone present in a group. Example: Wer gibt die nächste Runde aus? (Who is buying the next round?)
🚨 Important: Although the meanings are diverse, the article is always die.
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 Runde" in Detail
"Die Runde" is a feminine noun. It follows the regular feminine declension pattern.
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Runde |
| Genitive | der | Runde |
| Dative | der | Runde |
| Accusative | die | Runde |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Runden |
| Genitive | der | Runden |
| Dative | den | Runden |
| Accusative | die | Runden |
💡 Example Sentences
- Wir drehten eine Runde durch den Park. (We took a walk/lap around the park.)
- Nach der ersten Runde führte der Favorit. (After the first round, the favorite was leading.)
- Die fröhliche Runde sang Lieder bis spät in die Nacht. (The cheerful group sang songs late into the night.)
- Ich übernehme die nächste Runde! (I'll get the next round [of drinks]!)
- Der Polizist geht seine abendliche Runde. (The police officer walks his evening beat/patrol.)
🗣️ How to use "die Runde"?
"Die Runde" is a very common word in German. Here are typical contexts:
- Sports & Games: You talk about Spielrunden (rounds of a game), Qualifikationsrunden (qualifying rounds), eine Runde Golf (a round of golf), or Runden auf der Rennstrecke (laps on the racetrack).
- Social & Conviviality: People sit in gemütlicher Runde (in a cozy group), meet in kleiner Runde (in a small group), or geben eine Runde aus (buy a round of drinks). The term Stammtischrunde refers to a regular's table gathering.
- Discussion & Negotiation: Important talks often take place in Diskussionsrunden (discussion rounds) or Verhandlungsrunden (negotiation rounds).
- Movement & Control: Going for eine Runde (a walk, run, drive, e.g., around the block). Security guards or doctors machen ihre Runden (make their rounds).
Distinction from similar words:
- Kreis: Often refers more strongly to the purely geometric shape. "Die Runde" can also mean the group or the process.
- Zirkel: Similar to Kreis, often used for an exclusive circle or group.
- Etappe/Durchgang: These are more specific to stages in competitions or processes, while "Runde" can be used more broadly.
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Runde"
Article Mnemonic: Think of a queen (feminine = die) graciously offering a Runde (round) of drinks to her court (a group/circle).
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine making the rounds (patrol) 👮♀️, checking on a round table discussion group (group) 🗣️, then watching the final round (lap) 🏁 of a race, and finally buying a round of drinks 🍻. The word connects patrols, groups, laps, and drinks!
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
Antonyms (opposites):
- For circle shape: die Gerade (straight line), die Linie (line)
- For group: der Einzelne (the individual)
- For stage/round: der Anfang (beginning), das Ende (end)
- For circuit/movement: der Stillstand (standstill)
⚠️ Caution: Words like "rund" (adjective meaning round) or "runden" (verb meaning to round off) are related but not synonyms for the noun "die Runde".
😂 A little Joke
Kellner: "Ist bei Ihnen alles in Ordnung?"
Gast am runden Tisch: "Nein, bei uns ist alles Runde!"
Translation:
Waiter: "Is everything alright (in order) with you?"
Guest at the round table: "No, with us, everything is round!" (A pun on "in Ordnung" - in order/okay - and "Runde" - round.)
✍️ Poem about "die Runde"
Die Uhr dreht ihre Runde,
Der Läufer schnell im Stadiongrunde.
Am Tisch in froher Runde,
Erzählt man sich zur späten Stunde.
Im Spiel die nächste Runde winkt,
Ein kühles Bier, die Kehle sinkt.
Der Wächter seine Runde macht,
So vieles, was das Wort vollbracht!
Translation:
The clock turns its round,
The runner fast on stadium ground.
At the table in a happy round (group),
Stories are told when the late hour's found.
In the game, the next round waves,
A cool beer, the throat it saves.
The guard makes his round (patrol),
So much that this one word has told!
🤔 Little Riddle
Ich bin ein Weg, der wiederkehrt,
Ein Spielabschnitt, der oft belehrt.
Ich bin 'ne Gruppe, die sich fand,
Und manchmal auch ein voller Glasenstand.
Was bin ich?
(Lösung/Solution: die Runde)
Translation:
I am a path that returns,
A game segment that often learns (teaches).
I am a group that found each other,
And sometimes also a full stand of glasses bother (i.e., a round of drinks).
What am I?
(Solution: die Runde - the round/lap/group/round of drinks)
🧩 Other Information
Compound Words (Wortzusammensetzungen): "Die Runde" forms part of many compound nouns, specifying its meaning:
- Diskussionsrunde: A group discussing something.
- Spielrunde: A round in a game.
- Geburtstagsrunde: A birthday gathering.
- Fragestunde/Fragerunde: Question time / Q&A session.
- Endrunde: Final round (of a competition).
- Platzrunde: Traffic pattern (aviation).
- Rundgang: A tour, often circular (e.g., museum tour).
Cultural Aspect: Especially die "gemütliche Runde" (cozy gathering) or die "Stammtischrunde" (regulars' table group) are deeply rooted in German social culture.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Runde?
The noun "Runde" is always feminine. The correct article is die Runde. It has multiple meanings, including circle, lap, stage, group, patrol, or round of drinks.