die
Ziellinie
🏁 Meaning of "die Ziellinie"
The word die Ziellinie (feminine noun) primarily refers to two concepts:
- In sports: The line that marks the end of a race. Whoever crosses it first wins (e.g., in running, swimming, cycling). This is the direct translation of 'finish line'.
- Figuratively: Reaching a goal or completing a project or a difficult phase. It symbolizes the end of an effort.
Since the article is always "die", there's no confusion regarding different meanings based on the article. It's a compound word formed from das Ziel (goal, target, destination) and die Linie (line).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ie → almost always feminine.
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
📏 Grammar of "die Ziellinie" in Detail
"Ziellinie" is a feminine noun. The article is always die.
Declension
Here's how 'die Ziellinie' changes in the different grammatical cases (Fälle):
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | (English Meaning) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die Ziellinie | eine Ziellinie | the/a finish line |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der Ziellinie | einer Ziellinie | of the/a finish line |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der Ziellinie | einer Ziellinie | to/for the/a finish line |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die Ziellinie | eine Ziellinie | the/a finish line |
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | (English Meaning) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Ziellinien | - Ziellinien | the/(-) finish lines |
| Genitive | der Ziellinien | - Ziellinien | of the/(-) finish lines |
| Dative | den Ziellinien | - Ziellinien | to/for the/(-) finish lines |
| Accusative | die Ziellinien | - Ziellinien | the/(-) finish lines |
Example Sentences
- Der Läufer überquerte als Erster die Ziellinie.
(The runner crossed the finish line first.) - Nach monatelanger harter Arbeit erreichten wir endlich die Ziellinie des Projekts.
(After months of hard work, we finally reached the finish line of the project.) - Auf dem Foto ist die Ziellinie kaum zu erkennen.
(The finish line is barely visible in the photo.) - Wir jubelten, als unser Teammitglied der Ziellinie näher kam.
(We cheered as our team member approached the finish line.)
🎯 Everyday Usage
Die Ziellinie is very commonly used in the context of sports events, especially any kind of race.
Example: Beim Marathon ist die Ziellinie oft von Zuschauern gesäumt. (At the marathon, the finish line is often lined with spectators.)
In a figurative sense, it's used to describe the end of a task, process, or challenge. It often emphasizes the feeling of relief or achievement after an effort.
Example: Nach den Prüfungen fühlte es sich an, als hätten wir endlich die Ziellinie erreicht. (After the exams, it felt like we had finally reached the finish line.)
Mistakes are rare, as the meaning is usually clear from the context. It's more specific than the general word 'das Ziel' (the goal/aim).
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Think of 'die Linie' (the line). A line in German is feminine, so die Ziellinie is also feminine.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a real Linie (line) drawn on a track, marking the Ziel (goal/finish). That's die Ziellinie!
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Das Ziel: (The goal/target) - More general term for the end or purpose.
- Die Endlinie: (The end line) - Very similar, emphasizes the end.
- Der Zieleinlauf: (The finish/arrival at the goal) - Refers to the act of arriving at the finish.
- Der Abschluss: (The conclusion/completion) - More often used for projects or phases.
⚠️ Potentially Confusing Words:
- Die Richtlinie: (The guideline/directive) - A rule or regulation (unrelated to racing).
- Die Hotline: (The hotline) - A phone number for support (only sounds similar).
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat die Schnecke das Rennen gewonnen?
Weil sie kurz vor der Ziellinie aus ihrem Häuschen kam! 🐌🏁
English Translation:
Why did the snail win the race?
Because just before the finish line, it came out of its shell! (German pun: 'aus dem Häuschen sein' means 'to be overjoyed/ecstatic').
✍️ A Short Poem about the Finish Line
Der Schweiß rinnt, die Muskeln brennen,
die Menge jubelt, die Läufer rennen.
Noch ein paar Meter, dann ist es klar,
die Ziellinie ist endlich da!
Geschafft, erreicht, das Ziel vor Augen,
ein Moment, um Kraft zu saugen.
Ob im Sport, ob im Leben, ganz egal,
die Ziellinie beendet die Qual.
English Translation:
Sweat drips, muscles burn,
the crowd cheers, the runners churn.
A few more meters, then it's clear,
the finish line is finally here!
Done, achieved, the goal in sight,
a moment to gather strength and might.
Whether in sports, or life, no matter the trial,
the finish line ends the long mile.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich markiere das Ende, nicht den Start,
im Rennen bin ich letzter Part.
Manchmal bin ich nur gemalt,
manchmal ein Band, das Beifall schallt.
Wer mich erreicht, hat oft gewonnen,
oder ein langes Werk begonnen
und nun vollendet, mit letzter Kraft.
Wie heiße ich, wer hat's geschafft?
Lösung/Solution: die Ziellinie
English Translation:
I mark the end, not the start,
In a race, I play the final part.
Sometimes I'm only painted bright,
Sometimes a tape hailed with delight.
Who reaches me has often won,
Or a long task begun,
And now completed, with final might.
What am I called, who finished the fight?
Answer: the finish line (die Ziellinie)
ℹ️ Interesting Facts
Word Composition:
The word "Ziellinie" is a compound noun (Kompositum), made up of:
- Das Ziel: Noun, meaning: goal, target, destination, finish.
- Die Linie: Noun, meaning: line, mark, row.
Trivia:
At many major marathon events, like the Berlin Marathon, crossing 'die Ziellinie' is a highly emotional moment for thousands of runners after completing the long distance.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Ziellinie?
The German word "Ziellinie" is always feminine. The correct article is die Ziellinie. It refers to the finish line in a race or, figuratively, the completion of a goal or task.