die
Weile
🕰️ What does 'die Weile' mean?
Die Weile (feminine) refers to an indefinite, usually not very long period of time or a while. It expresses that something happens or lasts for a certain duration without specifying the exact length.
It's often used to describe a pause, a waiting time, or simply a certain amount of time.
- Example: Warte bitte eine Weile. (Please wait a while.)
- Example: Nach einer Weile kam er zurück. (After a while, he came back.)
🚨 Attention: Don't confuse 'die Weile' with 'weil' (conjunction meaning 'because').
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 Under the Microscope: die Weile
The noun 'Weile' is feminine. The article is 'die'.
Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Weile |
| Genitive | der | Weile |
| Dative | der | Weile |
| Accusative | die | Weile |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Weilen |
| Genitive | der | Weilen |
| Dative | den | Weilen |
| Accusative | die | Weilen |
Note: The plural 'die Weilen' is rarely used. Usually, one speaks of 'eine Weile' (singular).
Example Sentences
- Ich brauche noch eine Weile, bis ich fertig bin. (I still need a while until I'm finished. - Accusative Singular)
- Nach einer kurzen Weile ging das Licht wieder an. (After a short while, the light came back on. - Dative Singular)
- Die Erinnerung an diese schönen Weilen bleibt bestehen. (The memory of these beautiful times/periods remains. - Accusative Plural - rare)
💬 How to Use 'die Weile'?
'Die Weile' is often used in set phrases or with the indefinite article ('eine'):
- eine Weile: The most common form, meaning 'for some time' or 'a while'. Example: Bleib doch noch eine Weile! (Why don't you stay a while longer!)
- nach einer Weile: Expresses that something happens after some time. Example: Nach einer Weile wurde mir kalt. (After a while, I got cold.)
- vor einer Weile: Something happened some time ago. Example: Ich habe ihn vor einer Weile gesehen. (I saw him a while ago.)
- eine ganze Weile: Emphasizes a longer, yet still indefinite, period of time. Example: Das hat eine ganze Weile gedauert. (That took quite a while.)
- kurze Weile: A short period of time. Example: Nur eine kurze Weile, dann muss ich gehen. (Just for a short while, then I have to go.)
- lange Weile / Langeweile: Although 'lange Weile' is possible, the compound noun 'Langeweile' (die Langeweile - boredom) is typically used.
The verb verweilen means 'to linger' or 'to stay for a while'. Example: Wir verweilten eine Weile am See. (We lingered for a while by the lake.)
🧠 Mnemonics for Weile
Article Mnemonic: Think of 'die Zeit' (the time) or 'die Stunde' (the hour). These are also feminine words related to time, just like die Weile. Time (die Zeit) passes for a while (die Weile).
Meaning Mnemonic: 'Die Weile' sounds very similar to the English word 'while' and shares its meaning. Just imagine saying: "I'll wait for a Weile (while)."
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- die Zeitspanne: A more general term for a period of time.
- der Zeitraum: Similar to Zeitspanne.
- der Augenblick: A very short period of time, a moment.
- der Moment: Similar to Augenblick.
- die Dauer: Refers to the duration of a period.
- die Frist: A set deadline or period, often in legal/administrative contexts.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- die Ewigkeit: Eternity (conceptual opposite).
- der Augenblick / der Moment: Can be seen as the opposite of a 'longer while'.
Risk of Confusion
- weil (conjunction): Means 'because' (e.g., Ich bleibe zuhause, weil es regnet. - I'm staying home because it's raining.) – sounds similar, but has a completely different function and meaning.
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Lehrer: "Fritzchen, was ist die Hälfte von Ewigkeit?"
Fritzchen überlegt eine Weile und sagt: "Wartezeit!"
Translation:
The teacher asks: "Little Fritz, what is half of eternity?"
Little Fritz thinks for a while and says: "Waiting time!"
✍️ A Little Poem
Die Zeit verrinnt, mal schnell, mal sacht,
Manchmal braucht es nur 'ne Nacht.
Doch oft genügt 'ne kurze Frist,
Eine Weile, die man nie vergisst.
Ein Päuschen hier, ein Warten dort,
'ne Weile ist ein schönes Wort.
Translation:
Time passes, sometimes fast, sometimes gently,
Sometimes just one night is plenty.
But often a short period is enough,
A while that you never forget, rough or tough.
A little pause here, waiting over there,
'A while' is a nice word beyond compare.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich messe Zeit, doch hab kein Maß,
Bin mal kurz, mal lang, mal blass.
Man braucht mich oft, um auszuruhn,
Was bin ich wohl? Gib Antwort nun!
Lösung: die Weile
Translation:
I measure time, but have no measure,
Sometimes I'm short, sometimes long, sometimes pallor.
People often need me to rest soon,
What am I? Give your answer beneath the moon!
Solution: die Weile (a while)
🧩 Other Information
- Word Family: Belongs to the word family of 'weilen' (archaic or formal for 'to stay', 'to linger'). The adjective 'kurzweilig' (entertaining, passing the time pleasantly) is also derived from it.
- Etymology: The word comes from the Old High German 'wīla', which meant 'point in time', 'period of time', or 'hour'. It is related to the English word 'while'.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Weile?
The German word Weile is feminine. The correct article is die Weile. It means an indefinite period of time or 'a while'.