VocabuoDictionaryGet the app
noun

die Niederlage, -n

defeat

Eine Situation, in der jemand ein Spiel, einen Wettkampf oder einen Streit verliert.

Definition & meaning

Niederlage is a feminine noun with two main meanings:

  1. Defeat or loss: being beaten in a competition, conflict, election, or other contest. It can also mean a serious setback.
  2. Depot or warehouse: a place where goods are stored, especially before being distributed or sold. This use is less common today.

Grammar & Word origin

  • Gender: feminine — die Niederlage
  • Plural: die Niederlagen
  • The word is historically connected to the verb niederlegen , meaning “to lay down.” Its sense of “defeat” developed from the idea of being brought down or overcome.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms depend on the meaning:

  • die Schlappe — an informal word for a defeat or setback, often suggesting a humiliating or disappointing loss.
  • die Pleite — colloquial; can mean a failure or financial collapse, so it is not suitable for every kind of defeat.
  • das Depot and das Lager — possible alternatives for the storage-place meaning.

Antonyms for the “defeat” meaning include:

  • der Sieg — a victory, especially in a contest or battle.
  • der Erfolg — success or a favorable outcome; broader than Sieg.

Common phrases & collocations

  • eine Niederlage erleiden — to suffer a defeat
  • eine Niederlage hinnehmen — to accept a defeat
  • eine bittere Niederlage — a bitter defeat
  • eine knappe Niederlage — a narrow defeat

Make “Niederlage” part of your vocabulary.

Build your German vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.

Get Vocabuo on the App StoreGet Vocabuo for Android

Examples

Die Niederlage des Teams war unerwartet.noun

The defeat of the team was unexpected.

Seine Niederlage war unerwartet.noun

His defeat was unexpected.

Die Niederlage schmerzte das ganze Team.noun

The defeat hurt the whole team.

Nach der Niederlage fühlten sich viele Menschen enttäuscht.noun

After the defeat, many people felt disappointed.

Man wird diese Niederlage schnell vergessen.noun

One will quickly forget this defeat.

Nach der Niederlage trainierten sie noch härter.noun

After the defeat, they trained even harder.

Keep exploring German

Learn words from the content you love.

Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).

Download on theApp StoreGET IT ONGoogle Play