die  Tradition

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/tʁadiˈt͡si̯oːn/

📜 What does "die Tradition" mean?

Die Tradition (feminine, plural: die Traditionen) refers to the transmission of actions, beliefs, customs, knowledge, or culture from one generation to the next. It's something handed down (*überliefert*) that often holds significant value within a community, family, or society.

There's only this one article for the word, so there's no risk of confusion here 🥳.

• Main meaning: tradition, custom, heritage, convention.

🧮 Grammar & Declension of "die Tradition"

"Tradition" is a feminine noun. The ending "-ion" is a strong indicator of the feminine gender in German.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Familie pflegt eine alte Tradition zu Weihnachten. (The family maintains an old tradition at Christmas. - Accusative Singular)
2. Der Wert dieser Tradition ist unbestritten. (The value of this tradition is undisputed. - Genitive Singular)
3. Wir folgen der Tradition unserer Vorfahren. (We follow the tradition of our ancestors. - Dative Singular)
4. In diesem Land gibt es viele verschiedene Traditionen. (In this country, there are many different traditions. - Nominative Plural)
5. Er interessiert sich für die Geschichte der regionalen Traditionen. (He is interested in the history of the regional traditions. - Genitive Plural)

💡 How to use "Tradition"?

"Tradition" is used to talk about firmly established customs (*Bräuche*), rituals (*Rituale*), or beliefs (*Glaubenssätze*) passed down through generations.

• Typical Verbs: eine Tradition pflegen (to maintain/cherish a tradition), fortführen (to continue), begründen (to establish), brechen (to break), hochhalten (to uphold).
• Context: Often used in connection with culture (*Kultur*), family (*Familie*), religion (*Religion*), or society (*Gesellschaft*) (e.g., Familientradition - family tradition, kulturelle Tradition - cultural tradition, Weihnachtstradition - Christmas tradition).
• Comparison: While Brauch often refers to a specific, recurring action (like an Easter custom - *Osterbrauch*), Tradition is broader and can include values and knowledge. Sitte emphasizes the social norm aspect. Herkommen (heritage, custom) is somewhat archaic.
• Contrast: Often contrasted with *Moderne* (modernity), *Innovation* (innovation), or *Neuerung* (novelty).

🧠 Mnemonics for Tradition

Article Mnemonic: Many German nouns ending in -ion are feminine (*die*), like *die Nation*, *die Information*, *die Situation*... and also die Tradition! Think of the *feminine* ending '-ion' connecting them all.

Meaning Mnemonic: It sounds very similar to the English word "tradition". Think about how something is "traditionally" passed down – that's the core of die Tradition.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Sounding Words

• Tragödie: Sounds somewhat similar but means tragedy.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der moderne Bäcker mit der alten Tradition gebrochen?
Er wollte keine alten Zöpfe mehr backen! 😉

Translation: Why did the modern baker break with the old tradition?
He didn't want to bake old braids anymore! 😉 (Play on words: "alte Zöpfe abschneiden" literally means "to cut off old braids" but idiomatically means "to break with outdated traditions". A *Zopf* is also a type of braided bread.)

✍️ Poem about Tradition

Von Hand zu Hand, von Jahr zu Jahr,
geht weiter, was einst wichtig war.
Ein Lied, ein Tanz, ein alter Spruch,
die Tradition, sie lebt im Buch,

Im Herzen, im gemeinsamen Tun,
lässt uns auf alten Wegen ruhn.
Doch manchmal muss ein neuer Wind
auch wehen, wo Traditionen sind.

From hand to hand, from year to year,
what once was important continues here.
A song, a dance, an ancient phrase,
the tradition lives in books and stays,

In hearts, in shared activity,
lets us rest on paths of history.
But sometimes must a new wind blow
even where traditions grow.

🧩 Riddle

Ich werde von Alt an Jung gegeben,
bestehe aus Bräuchen, Wissen, Leben.
Mal feierlich, mal alt und grau,
ich bin beständig, doch nicht starr, schau.
Man kann mich pflegen oder brechen fein,
was mag ich wohl nur sein?

Lösung / Solution: die Tradition

I am given from old to young,
Made of customs, knowledge, life out-sprung.
Sometimes festive, sometimes old and grey,
I am constant, but not rigid, hey.
You can cherish me or break me in two,
What could I possibly be to you?

Answer: tradition (die Tradition)

🌐 Other Info

Etymology: The word "Tradition" comes from the Latin word traditio, meaning "handing over", "delivery", or "transmission". It derives from the verb tradere ("to hand over", "to transmit").

Cultural Significance: Traditions (*Traditionen*) play a central role in shaping the identity of groups and individuals. They create continuity and a sense of belonging, but can also be questioned and changed over time.