German word

Niederlage

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈniːdɐˌlaːgə/

Meaning

  • feminine noundefeat

Example

Die Mannschaft erlitt eine Niederlage.

The team suffered a defeat.

Illustration for Niederlage (defeat)

More examples

Nach dem Spiel wollen die Spieler aus der Niederlage lernen.

After the game, the players want to learn from the defeat.

Core concept

A hard contest ends with a team, player, or cause pushed below its rival and forced to accept the result.

Common phrases

  • aus einer Niederlage lernen

    learn from a defeat

  • eine Niederlage vermeiden

    avoid a defeat

Similar words

Schlappe: A casual term for a minor or disappointing loss.
Rückschlag: A setback that temporarily pushes progress in the wrong direction.
Misserfolg: A disappointing result caused by failing to achieve a goal.

Definition in German

Niederlage ist das Ergebnis, wenn eine Person oder Gruppe in einem Wettbewerb, Spiel oder Streit besiegt wird.

Word origin

The historical form niderlâge combined the idea of down with that of laying or bringing down before acquiring its modern sense.

Usage tips

  • In informal speech, German often expresses the event with verlieren, while Niederlage is common in formal reports and summaries.

Other meanings

  • lossnoun
  • setbacknoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word