das Militär
military
All the armed forces of a state, meaning the army, navy, and air force.
EXAMPLE
Er hat sich verpflichtet, acht Jahre beim Militär zu dienen.
He committed to serving in the military for eight years.
das Militär
military
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Meanings
das Militär
military government
A government led by high-ranking soldiers; a military junta.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Putsch hat das Militär die Macht im Land übernommen.
After the coup, the military took power in the country.
Usage tips
Always singular
The word 'Militär' (military) is a collective noun and is almost always used in the singular, even when talking about many soldiers or the entire armed forces.
EXAMPLE
Das Militär sicherte die Grenzen des Landes.
The military secured the country's borders.
Typical prepositions
To express affiliation or activity, German uses 'beim Militär' (in the military). When someone joins the armed forces, you say 'zum Militär gehen' (to go into the military).
EXAMPLE
Mein Bruder ist seit fünf Jahren beim Militär.
My brother has been in the military for five years.
Typical verbs
Common verbs used with the military as an institution are 'dienen' (to serve), 'sich verpflichten' (to enlist/commit oneself), and 'eine Ausbildung machen' (to do training).
EXAMPLE
Viele junge Leute machen beim Militär eine Berufsausbildung.
Many young people do vocational training in the military.
Context clue
When 'Militär' (military) is used in connection with 'Macht übernehmen' (to take power), 'putschen' (to stage a coup), or 'regieren' (to govern), it refers to the military government, not just the army as an institution.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Umsturz regierte das Militär mit harter Hand.
After the overthrow, the military ruled with an iron fist.
Compare with
Militär vs Armee
army
Armee and Militär both refer to armed forces. Militär tends to mean the entire military institution, including its personnel and branches, whereas Armee more strongly refers to the organized armed force or a military formation. Use Militär when talking about the institution, and Armee when referring more specifically to the actual armed force.
Militär
Das Militär des Landes entscheidet über den Einsatz an der Grenze.
The country's military decides whether to deploy forces along the border.
Armee
Die Armee des Landes wurde für den Einsatz an der Grenze organisiert.
The country's army was organized for deployment along the border.
In real life
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