ground troops
die Bodentruppe, die Bodentruppen
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ground troops
Military units that operate and fight on land, as opposed to the air force or navy. Usually used in the plural.
Die Offensive wurde von Panzern und Bodentruppen angeführt.
The offensive was led by tanks and ground troops.
people on the ground
Colloquially and figuratively, the employees of an organization or company who do the practical work on site, as opposed to management.
Ohne unsere Bodentruppen im Vertrieb würde die Firma nicht laufen.
Without our people on the ground in sales, the company wouldn't run.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Bodentruppen |
| genitive | der Bodentruppe |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Bodentruppe | die Bodentruppen |
| accusative | die Bodentruppe | die Bodentruppen |
| dative | der Bodentruppe | den Bodentruppen |
| genitive | der Bodentruppe | der Bodentruppen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
This noun is composed of 'der Boden' (the ground) and 'die Truppe' (the troop/unit). So it literally refers to a troop that operates on the ground.
Die Luftwaffe gab den Bodentruppen aus der Luft Deckung.
The air force gave the ground troops cover from the air.
Although the singular form 'die Bodentruppe' exists, the word is usually used in the plural, 'die Bodentruppen' (ground troops), to refer to the individual units or soldiers.
Für die Mission wurden mehrere tausend Bodentruppen mobilisiert.
Several thousand ground troops were mobilized for the mission.
The figurative meaning can be recognized from the context. If people are talking about a company, a project, or sales, it refers to the employees at the base level. In a military context, such as war or the army, the literal meaning is intended.
Das Management sollte mehr auf die Vorschläge der Bodentruppen hören.
Management should listen more to the suggestions of the people on the ground.
Using 'Bodentruppen' (ground troops) for employees is colloquial and figurative. It creates an image of the people who do the real work 'an der Front' (on the front line).
Unsere Bodentruppen im Außendienst kennen die Kunden am besten.
Our people on the ground in field sales know the customers best.
