01
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
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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 Polizei
police
'die Polizei' and 'das Militär' both belong to the state and often wear uniforms. Still, they have different tasks. The police maintain safety and order in everyday life, for example in cases of accidents, theft, or disputes. The military consists of a state's armed forces and is mainly responsible for defense and war. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with state power and weapons. For normal everyday problems, you call the police, not the military.
Militär
Das Militär trainiert regelmäßig für den Schutz des Landes.
The military trains regularly to protect the country.
Polizei
Nach dem Unfall hat ein Zeuge die Polizei gerufen.
After the accident, a witness called the police.
In real life
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