das Corps
student fraternity
A student fraternity whose members adhere to certain shared rules and traditions.
EXAMPLE
Sein Großvater war Mitglied in einem Corps in Heidelberg.
His grandfather was a member of a corps in Heidelberg.
das Corps
corps
das Corps, die Corps
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Meanings
das Corps
military corps
A larger military formation consisting of several divisions or comparable units.
EXAMPLE
Das Corps rückte am frühen Morgen in Richtung Grenze vor.
The corps advanced toward the border early in the morning.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Corps, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Corps |
| genitive | des Corps |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Corps | die Corps |
| accusative | das Corps | die Corps |
| dative | dem Corps | den Corps |
| genitive | des Corps | der Corps |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Context clue
The meaning can often be recognized from the surrounding words: when the context involves universities, students, and traditional rules, it refers to the student meaning; when it involves divisions, troops, and fronts, it refers to the military meaning.
EXAMPLE
An der Universität sprach man über die Geschichte des Corps und seine Aufnahmebedingungen.
At the university, they discussed the history of the corps and its admission requirements.
Das Corps erhielt den Befehl, mehrere Divisionen zu unterstützen.
The corps received orders to support several divisions.
Typical collocations
In the student meaning, 'Corps' is often used in expressions such as 'Mitglied eines Corps' (member of a corps), 'in ein Corps eintreten' (to join a corps), and 'Corpsstudenten' (corps students).
EXAMPLE
Sein Sohn ist Mitglied eines Corps und nimmt regelmäßig an dessen Veranstaltungen teil.
His son is a member of a corps and regularly takes part in its events.
Military collocations
In military texts, 'Corps' is often used with verbs such as 'befehligen' (to command), 'führen' (to lead), 'aufstellen' (to form), and 'vorrücken' (to advance).
EXAMPLE
Der General führte das Corps über mehrere Tage durch schwieriges Gelände.
The general led the corps through difficult terrain for several days.
In real life
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