der Fittich
wing
A bird's wing; the word is used mainly in elevated or poetic language.
EXAMPLE
Der Adler breitete seine Fittiche aus und stieg in die Höhe.
The eagle spread its wings and rose into the sky.
der Fittich
wing
der Fittich, die Fittiche
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Meanings
unter jemandes Fittichen
under someone's wing
To be under someone's protection, care, or supervision.
EXAMPLE
Unter den Fittichen seiner erfahrenen Mentorin lernte er schnell.
Under the wing of his experienced mentor, he learned quickly.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Fittich, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Fittiche |
| genitive | des Fittichs |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Fittich | die Fittiche |
| accusative | den Fittich | die Fittiche |
| dative | dem Fittich | den Fittichen |
| genitive | des Fittichs des Fittiches | der Fittiche |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Elevated language
'Fittich' (wing) is used mainly in elevated, poetic, or literary language and is relatively rare in everyday speech. In modern texts, it is found especially in vivid descriptions of birds or protection.
EXAMPLE
Im Gedicht erhebt der Schwan seinen Fittich über das stille Wasser.
In the poem, the swan raises its wing above the still water.
Typical collocations
In its literal meaning, 'Fittich' (wing) frequently occurs with verbs such as 'ausbreiten' (to spread), 'schwingen' (to flap), or 'heben' (to raise). The word often describes the movement or impressive appearance of a bird's wing.
EXAMPLE
Der Falke schwang seine Fittiche und verschwand hinter den Bäumen.
The falcon flapped its wings and disappeared behind the trees.
Fixed expression
The figurative meaning appears especially in the fixed expression 'jemanden unter seine Fittiche nehmen' (to take someone under one's wing). The protected person is in the accusative, while 'unter' with 'seine Fittiche' expresses the direction or assumption of protection.
EXAMPLE
Die erfahrene Kollegin nahm den neuen Mitarbeiter unter ihre Fittiche.
The experienced colleague took the new employee under her wing.
In real life
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