die  Wehr

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/veːɐ/

🛡️ What does "die Wehr" mean?

The German word die Wehr is feminine and has several core meanings:

• Defense, resistance: This describes the act or ability to protect oneself or resist an attack, danger, or external influence. It's often used in the set phrase "sich zur Wehr setzen" (to defend oneself).
• Weir, barrage: A technical barrier or construction in a watercourse (river, stream) used to dam up water. This can be for regulating water levels, generating energy (hydropower), or diverting water.
• Defense force (collective): It can also refer to an organized group or institution providing protection or defense. The best-known examples are the Bundeswehr (the German armed forces) and the Feuerwehr (fire brigade/department).

⚠️ Context is crucial to correctly interpret the respective meaning of die Wehr.

🧐 Grammatical Details: die Wehr

Die Wehr is a feminine noun. The plural is die Wehren.

📝 Example Sentences

1. (Defense) Die Bürger setzten sich gegen die ungerechten Maßnahmen zur Wehr.
   (The citizens defended themselves against the unjust measures.)
2. (Weir) Am Fluss wurde ein neues Wehr zur Stromerzeugung gebaut.
   (A new weir was built on the river for power generation.)
3. (Weirs - Plural) Die alten Wehren im Kanal müssen saniert werden.
   (The old weirs in the canal need to be renovated.)
4. (Force - Fire Brigade) Die freiwillige Feuerwehr des Dorfes ist immer einsatzbereit.
   (The village's volunteer fire brigade is always ready for action.)
5. (Force - Armed Forces) Er leistete seinen Dienst bei der Bundeswehr.
   (He did his service in the Bundeswehr / German armed forces.)

💡 How to use "die Wehr"?

The usage of die Wehr strongly depends on its meaning:

• In the sense of defense: Often abstract or in set phrases like "sich zur Wehr setzen". Can refer to physical defense, but also verbal or legal resistance.
• In the sense of a weir: Used in technical or geographical contexts when discussing hydraulic structures in rivers. The plural "die Wehren" is common here.
• In the sense of a force/organization: Mainly in compound words like Bundeswehr or Feuerwehr. Standing alone, "die Wehr" in this sense is rare today and rather historical (e.g., "Landwehr").

Comparison: While die Verteidigung often refers to planned, strategic protection, die Wehr can also mean the spontaneous defensive reaction. A Damm (dam) is usually larger than a Wehr and primarily serves flood protection or creates a reservoir, whereas a weir is more about regulating water levels.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Wehr"

Article Mnemonic: Think of related feminine words: die Verteidigung (defense), die Abwehr (defense/repulsion), die Mauer (wall - which also defends or dams). This helps remember die Wehr.

Meaning Mnemonic:

• For "defense": The verb is "sich wehren" (to defend oneself). Someone who defends (wehrt sich) puts up a Wehr (defense).
• For "weir": A Wehr in a river wards off (wehrt ab) the easy path for the water; it dams it up. It's a defense (Abwehr) against free flow.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar Sounding Words (but different meaning):

• Waffe (die): Weapon - used for being 'wehrhaft' (defensible), but it's a concrete tool.
• Wert (der): Value - sounds similar but unrelated to defense or weirs.
• Wirt (der): Host/Innkeeper - no connection to 'Wehr'.
• wahr (adjective): true - sounds similar but different meaning.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Biber seinen Sohn: "Na, wie war's heute in der Schule?"
Sagt der Sohn: "Langweilig. Wir haben schon wieder gelernt, wie man ein Wehr baut. Das kann ich doch längst!"
Vater Biber: "Sei nicht frech, Bildung ist wichtig! Ohne die richtige Wehr-Technik hätten wir heute kein so schönes Zuhause!"

Translation:

Father beaver asks his son: "Well, how was school today?"
Son says: "Boring. We learned how to build a weir again. I've known how to do that for ages!"
Father beaver: "Don't be cheeky, education is important! Without the proper weir technique, we wouldn't have such a nice home today!"

📜 Poem about Wehr

Die Wehr am Fluss

Im Flusse steht die starke Wehr,
staut Wasser auf, mal weniger, mal mehr.
Sie bändigt Kraft, hält Fluten auf,
beendet jäh den schnellen Lauf.

Translation: The Weir on the River
In the river stands the strong weir,
damming up water, sometimes less, sometimes more.
It tames power, holds back floods,
abruptly ends the rapid course.

Die Wehr des Herzens

Auch Herzen brauchen eine Wehr,
gegen Kummer, falsch und leer.
Sich wehren, wenn das Unrecht droht,
das ist ein menschliches Gebot.

Translation: The Heart's Defense
Hearts also need a defense,
against sorrow, false and empty hence.
To resist when injustice threatens,
that is a human commandment.

🤔 Little Riddle

Ich steh' im Fluss, doch bin kein Stein,
halte Wasser auf, mal groß, mal klein.
Manchmal erzeug ich Energie,
man baut mich mit Ingenieurmagie.

Ich kann auch Schutz bedeuten, klar,
steht man bereit, wenn droht Gefahr.
Ob Brand ob Feind, ich steh' bereit,
als Truppe in der Not geweiht.

Was bin ich?

Translation & Clues:
I stand in the river, but am not a stone,
I hold back water, sometimes large, sometimes small grown.
Sometimes I generate energy,
I'm built with engineering magic, you see.

I can also mean protection, clearly,
standing ready when danger is near.
Whether fire or foe, I stand prepared,
as a force dedicated in times of need declared.

What am I?

(Solution: die Wehr)

ℹ️ Additional Information

Word Compounds (Wortzusammensetzungen):

The word "Wehr" is part of many important German terms:

• Bundeswehr: The German Federal Armed Forces.
• Feuerwehr: Fire brigade/department.
• Landwehr: Historical term for a type of militia or reserve army.
• Stauwehr: Weir, barrage (technical term).
• Abwehr: Defense, repulsion (e.g., Immunabwehr - immune defense).
• Gegenwehr: Active resistance.
• Wehrhaft: Adjective meaning defensible, capable of defending oneself.
• Wehrdienst: Military service.

Etymology:

The word "Wehr" comes from the Old High German word "werī", meaning defense, protective wall, or dam. It is closely related to the verb "wehren" (to defend, to ward off).