die Wehrmacht
Wehrmacht
The German armed forces during the Nazi era from 1935 to 1945. The term refers to the army, navy, and air force of the German Reich.
EXAMPLE
Die Wehrmacht kapitulierte im Mai 1945.
The Wehrmacht surrendered in May 1945.
die Wehrmacht
Wehrmacht
die Wehrmacht, die Wehrmächte
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Wehrmacht, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Wehrmächte |
| genitive | der Wehrmacht |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Wehrmacht | die Wehrmächte |
| accusative | die Wehrmacht | die Wehrmächte |
| dative | der Wehrmacht | den Wehrmächten |
| genitive | der Wehrmacht | der Wehrmächte |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Wehrmacht' (the German armed forces from 1935 to 1945) is made up of 'Wehr' (protection or defense) and 'Macht' (power). The compound literally denotes a military power for defense.
EXAMPLE
Die Wehrmacht wurde im Jahr 1935 offiziell gegründet.
The Wehrmacht was officially established in 1935.
Historical term
'Wehrmacht' (the German armed forces from 1935 to 1945) is a term tied to a specific historical period. It therefore appears mainly in historical texts, documents, and accounts of the Second World War.
EXAMPLE
Im Museum werden Feldpostbriefe von Soldaten der Wehrmacht gezeigt.
The museum displays letters sent from the front by Wehrmacht soldiers.
Typical collocations
Common phrases include 'in der Wehrmacht dienen' (to serve in the Wehrmacht), 'zur Wehrmacht eingezogen werden' (to be drafted into the Wehrmacht), and 'Angehörige der Wehrmacht' (members of the Wehrmacht). The preposition 'in' takes the dative here when referring to service or membership.
EXAMPLE
Sein Großvater musste während des Krieges in der Wehrmacht dienen.
His grandfather had to serve in the Wehrmacht during the war.
In real life
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