die  Verteidigung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɛɐ̯ˈtaɪ̯dɪɡʊŋ/

🛡️ What does "die Verteidigung" mean?

Die Verteidigung is a feminine noun with several meanings:

• Defense or protection: Warding off an attack or danger. This can be in a military, sporting, or figurative sense. Example: Die Verteidigung der Stadt war erfolgreich. (The defense of the city was successful.)
• Legal defense: The representation of an accused person in court by a lawyer, or the arguments made for their acquittal. Example: Die Verteidigung plädierte auf nicht schuldig. (The defense pleaded not guilty.) It can also refer to the defense counsel itself (e.g., Die Verteidigung erhebt Einspruch - The defense raises an objection).
• Justification or vindication: Providing reasons or justification for an action or opinion. Example: Seine lange Rede war eine Verteidigung seiner umstrittenen Entscheidung. (His long speech was a justification of his controversial decision.)

🚨 Since the word ends in "-ung", it's typically feminine (die Verteidigung).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Verteidigung

The noun „die Verteidigung“ is feminine. Here are the declension tables:

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Verteidigung des Schlosses dauerte drei Tage. (The defense of the castle lasted three days.)
2. Die Strategie der Verteidigung war klug. (The strategy of the defense was clever.)
3. Der Richter hörte der Verteidigung aufmerksam zu. (The judge listened attentively to the defense.)
4. Der Anwalt übernahm die Verteidigung. (The lawyer took over the defense.)
5. Im Prozess wurden verschiedene Verteidigungen vorgetragen. (Various defenses/justifications were presented in the trial.)

💡 How to use "die Verteidigung"?

The use of „die Verteidigung“ strongly depends on the context:

• In sports: Refers to the players or tactics protecting their own goal/basket. („Unsere Verteidigung war heute sehr stark.“ - Our defense was very strong today.)
• In law: Denotes both the legal argumentation and the defense counsel (lawyer(s)). („Die Verteidigung fordert Freispruch.“ - The defense demands acquittal.)
• Military/Security: Describes measures to protect against attacks. („Die Landesverteidigung ist eine wichtige Aufgabe des Staates.“ - National defense is an important task of the state.)
• General/Abstract: As a justification or defense of an idea or action. („Er schrieb einen langen Brief zur Verteidigung seiner Ehre.“ - He wrote a long letter in defense of his honor.)

Distinction: While „Schutz“ (protection) is often preventative, „Verteidigung“ usually implies a reaction to an actual or potential attack or accusation.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Verteidigung"

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in "-ung" are almost always feminine in German. Think of: Die Zeitung (the newspaper), die Wohnung (the apartment), die Rechnung (the bill)... and therefore, die Verteidigung.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone saying, "Die hard fans will offer a strong Verteidigung (defense/justification) for their team!" The "Die" part helps remember the feminine article.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Be careful with word choice: „Schutz“ is not always interchangeable with „Verteidigung“. Verteidigung often implies an active conflict or confrontation.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: „Warum haben Sie bei jedem Einbruch eine Leiter mitgenommen?“
Antwortet der Angeklagte: „Das war nur zur meiner Verteidigung, Herr Richter. Ich wollte immer einen höheren Standpunkt vertreten!“

Translation:
The judge asks the defendant: "Why did you take a ladder with you on every burglary?"
The defendant answers: "That was just for my defense, Your Honor. I always wanted to represent a higher standpoint!" (Pun: "einen höheren Standpunkt vertreten" means both "to represent a higher viewpoint/moral ground" and literally "to represent a higher physical standpoint").

📜 Poem about Verteidigung

Die Mauer steht, der Wall hält Wacht,
Die Verteidigung, bei Tag und Nacht.
Im Sport, im Recht, im Lebensstreit,
Steht sie bereit, zu jeder Zeit.

Ein Schild der Ehre, Argument,
Das man zur Rechtfertigung kennt.
Mal laut, mal leise, klug und fest,
Besteht sie manchen harten Test.

Translation:

The wall stands firm, the rampart watches,
The defense, by day and night catches.
In sports, in law, in life's own strife,
It stands prepared, throughout all life.

A shield of honor, argument,
That's known for justification sent.
Sometimes loud, sometimes low, clever and fast,
It withstands many a hard test.

🤔 Little Riddle

Ich bin im Gerichtssaal zu Haus,
Und trete für den Angeklagten auf, ganz kraus.
Im Fußball steh' ich vor dem Tor,
Und schütze es mit meinem Chor.
Auch Burgen brauchen mich im Streit,
Gegen feindliche Überlegenheit.

Was bin ich? (Lösung: die Verteidigung)

Translation:

I am at home in the courtroom,
And stand up for the accused, avoiding doom.
In soccer, I stand before the goal,
And protect it with my patrol (lit. choir).
Castles also need me in a fight,
Against the enemy's superior might.

What am I?
(Solution: die Verteidigung / the defense)

🧩 More Information

Word Formation:

The word „Verteidigung“ is composed of:

• The verb: verteidigen (to defend)
• The suffix: -ung (a typical suffix used to form feminine nouns from verbs, often denoting the process or result of the action)

Interesting Fact: In German legal contexts, „die Verteidigung“ can refer both to the act of defending and to the defense counsel (the lawyers). Example: „Die Verteidigung beantragt eine Vertagung.“ (The defense requests an adjournment.)