die  Tarnung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈtaʁnʊŋ/

🎭 What does 'die Tarnung' mean?

The German noun Tarnung refers to the act of blending in with the surroundings to be inconspicuous or to avoid detection. This can involve visual adaptation (color, pattern), but also concealing sounds or smells.

• Main meaning: Concealment or making something unrecognizable by adapting to the environment (camouflage).
• Figurative meaning: Hiding one's true intentions or character (disguise, pretense, mask).

🚨 The word 'Tarnung' is always feminine: die Tarnung.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'die Tarnung' in Detail

'Tarnung' is a feminine noun. Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine in German.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die perfekte Tarnung des Chamäleons schützt es vor Feinden.
   (The chameleon's perfect camouflage protects it from enemies.)
2. Soldaten tragen oft Kleidung zur Tarnung im Gelände.
   (Soldiers often wear clothing for camouflage in the field.)
3. Seine Freundlichkeit war nur Tarnung für seine wahren Absichten.
   (His friendliness was just a disguise for his true intentions.)
4. Die Polizei beobachtete das Gebäude aus der Tarnung heraus.
   (The police observed the building from concealment / under cover.)

💡 How to use 'die Tarnung'?

The term Tarnung is used in various contexts:

• Biology/Nature: Describing the adaptation of animals or plants to their environment (e.g., fur color, leaf shape). In this context, one often also speaks of Mimikry (mimicry) or Mimese (mimesis).
• Military/Security: Concealing personnel, vehicles, or positions from the enemy (e.g., through camouflage clothing, camouflage nets - Tarnkleidung, Tarnnetze).
• Everyday/Figurative: When someone hides their true feelings, intentions, or identity. Example: "Sein Lächeln war nur eine Tarnung." (His smile was just a camouflage/disguise).

There is little risk of confusion, as the word has a fairly specific meaning. It is closely related to the verb tarnen (to camouflage, to disguise).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Tarnung'

Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in "-ung" are feminine (die). Think of other -ung words like die Rechnung (the bill), die Wohnung (the apartment) -> die Tarnung.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone using a tarnished piece of metal to blend into a junkyard - their Tarnung (camouflage) helps them hide. Or, think of 'tarnen', the verb, meaning 'to camouflage'.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

😂 A Joke about Tarnung

Deutsch: Warum ist das Chamäleon so schlecht im Versteckspielen? Weil es immer die Farbe wechselt, um aufzufallen!

English: Why is the chameleon so bad at hide-and-seek? Because it always changes color to stand out! (Okay, it's a twist on camouflage!)

📜 Poem about Tarnung

Deutsch: Im tiefen Wald, im grünen Kleid,
Versteckt sich Wild zur Sicherheit.
Die Tarnung schützt, ein clever Stück,
Vor Jägers Aug' und bösem Blick.
Ob Fell, ob Feder, Schuppe, Haut,
Der Natur vollkommen anvertraut.

English Translation:
In the deep forest, in green attire,
Wildlife hides for safety higher.
Camouflage protects, a clever feat,
From hunter's eye and ill-fate's heat.
Whether fur, or feather, scale, or skin,
Completely trusting nature from within.

❓ Riddle

Deutsch: Ich kleide Soldaten und Tiere im Wald,
Mach' manches unsichtbar, ob jung oder alt.
Ich spiele Verstecken, bin Meister darin,
Bring Sicherheit oder falschen Schein.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: Die Tarnung

English Translation:
I dress soldiers and animals in the wood,
Make many things unseen, if misunderstood.
I play hide-and-seek, a master therein,
Bringing safety or a false guise within.

What am I?

Solution: Camouflage (Die Tarnung)

🧩 Other Information

Word Family:

• tarnen (verb): to camouflage, to disguise
• getarnt (adjective/participle): camouflaged (e.g., Ein getarntes Fahrzeug - A camouflaged vehicle)
• Tarnkappe (noun): Cap of invisibility (often in fairy tales - Märchen)
• Tarnfarbe (noun): Camouflage color
• Tarnnetz (noun): Camouflage net

The word 'Tarnung' itself derives from the verb 'tarnen', whose origin is not entirely clear but might be related to old words for 'to hide' or 'to darken'.