property / possession
das Eigen
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to call something one's own
To own something. This expression belongs to elevated language and is also used humorously.
Seit Kurzem kann sie einen kleinen Garten ihr Eigen nennen.
She has been able to call a small garden her own for a short while now.
property / possession
An outdated term for property or possession.
Dieses Land war einst das Eigen seiner Familie.
This land was once the property of his family.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Eigens |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Eigen | – |
| accusative | das Eigen | – |
| dative | dem Eigen | – |
| genitive | des Eigens | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
In the expression „etwas sein Eigen nennen“ (to call something one's own), the thing being possessed appears as the accusative object. The possessive word agrees with the person who owns something: „sein Eigen“ (his own), „ihr Eigen“ (her own), or „unser Eigen“ (our own).
Nach vielen Jahren konnte sie endlich ein Haus am See ihr Eigen nennen.
After many years, she was finally able to call a house by the lake her own.
The expression is often used with time expressions or words such as „endlich“ (finally), „seit Kurzem“ (for a short while now), and „stolz“ (proud). It often emphasizes that someone has recently acquired something or is particularly proud of it.
Stolz zeigt uns der junge Künstler das Atelier, das er nun sein Eigen nennt.
Proudly, the young artist shows us the studio that he can now call his own.
As a standalone noun, „das Eigen“ (property / possession) is now found mainly in historical or literary texts. The owner is often indicated by a genitive or a possessive word.
Das Eigen der alten Familie umfasste mehrere Höfe und Wälder.
The property of the old family included several farms and forests.
