die
These
💡 What exactly is a These?
Die These (feminine, plural: Thesen) is a fundamental claim, proposition, statement, or scientific assumption that is put forward for discussion, defense, or proof. It's often the starting point for an argument, a scholarly work (e.g., a doctoral thesis), or a philosophical discourse.
Good news! There's only one article for These: it's always die. That makes it easier! 🥳
- Main Meaning: A proposed statement or proposition intended to be proven or disproven.
- Context: Frequently used in academic, philosophical, or argumentative contexts.
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 & Declension: Die These in Detail
The noun „These“ is feminine. Therefore, the article is always die.
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | These |
| Genitive | der | These |
| Dative | der | These |
| Accusative | die | These |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Thesen |
| Genitive | der | Thesen |
| Dative | den | Thesen |
| Accusative | die | Thesen |
Example Sentences
- Seine These war kühn, aber gut begründet.
His thesis was bold but well-founded. - In ihrer Doktorarbeit entwickelte sie eine neue These zur Entstehung des Universums.
In her doctoral thesis, she developed a new thesis on the origin of the universe. - Wir müssen die gegnerischen Thesen Punkt für Punkt widerlegen.
We must refute the opposing theses point by point. - Die These vom menschengemachten Klimawandel ist wissenschaftlich breit akzeptiert.
The thesis of man-made climate change is widely accepted scientifically.
🗣️ How to use 'die These'?
The term die These is mainly used in formal, intellectual, or academic contexts.
- Wissenschaft & Forschung (Science & Research): As the central claim of a scientific paper (e.g., Hypothese - hypothesis, Doktorthese - doctoral thesis).
- Philosophie & Debatte (Philosophy & Debate): As the starting point of an argument or a philosophical line of thought. Often used in conjunction with Antithese (antithesis - counter-claim) and Synthese (synthesis - combination).
- Alltagssprache (Everyday Language) (less common): Sometimes used for a bold or provocative claim in daily life, but words like Behauptung (claim, assertion) or Annahme (assumption) are more common here.
⚠️ Avoid overusing 'These' for just any opinion or idea. It usually implies a well-founded statement that needs to be defended.
🧠 Mnemonics for These
For the article 'die': Think of 'the'sis - sounds a bit like 'die'sis. Or, imagine a female professor (die Professorin) presenting her (feminine) These.
For the meaning: A These is something you 'theorize' about and need to prove. It's the central 'theme' or 'thesis' statement you argue for.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Behauptung: Assertion, claim (a statement presented as true).
- Leitsatz: Guiding principle, proposition (a fundamental sentence providing direction).
- Annahme: Assumption (something taken for granted, often provisionally).
- Hypothese: Hypothesis (a scientific assumption yet to be tested; often more specific than These).
- Theorem: Theorem (a proven proposition, especially in math, logic).
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Antithese: Antithesis (a counter-claim contradicting a thesis).
- Widerlegung: Refutation, rebuttal (proof that a thesis is false).
- Beweis (sometimes): Proof, evidence (what supports a thesis; not a direct opposite, but complementary).
Similar, but potentially misleading words:
- Thema: Topic, subject (the subject matter of a discussion or work, not the claim itself).
😂 A little Joke
Warum sind Thesen so schlecht im Versteckspiel?
Weil sie immer aufgestellt werden! 😉
---
Why are theses so bad at hide-and-seek?
Because they are always 'aufgestellt' (put forward / set up)! 😉 (Pun: 'aufstellen' means both 'to propose/put forward' a thesis and 'to set up/erect' something)
📜 Poem about die These
Eine These, klar und kühn,
Soll im Geiste Funken sprüh'n.
Ein Gedanke, aufgestellt,
Der die Welt in Frage stellt.
Man prüft sie, wägt sie, dreht und wendet,
Bis die Wahrheit sich entzündet.
Ob stark, ob schwach, ob alt, ob neu,
Bleibt sie der Forschung treu.
---
A thesis, clear and bold,
Should make sparks in the mind unfold.
A thought, proposed and brought to light,
That questions the world with all its might.
It's tested, weighed, turned round and round,
Until the shining truth is found.
Whether strong or weak, or old or new,
To research, it remains true.
🧩 Riddle Time
Ich bin ein Satz, der Streit entfacht,
Hab' in der Forschung große Macht.
Man muss mich stützen oder fällen,
Kannst du meinen Namen nennen?
(Lösung: die These)
---
I am a sentence that sparks debate,
In research, I hold great weight.
You must support me or strike me down,
Can you tell me my renown?
(Answer: die These)
➕ Other Information
- Etymology: The word comes from the Greek word thésis (θέσις), meaning *“setting”, “placing”, “proposition”*.
- Common Compounds: Doktorthese (doctoral thesis/dissertation), Hypothese (hypothesis), Antithese (antithesis), Synthese (synthesis).
- Philosophy: Plays a central role in dialectic (These – Antithese – Synthese), especially associated with the philosopher Hegel.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das These?
The German word These is always feminine. The correct article is exclusively die (die These, der These, der These, die These). It refers to a claim, proposition, or statement put forward for discussion or proof, often in academic or philosophical contexts.