Mein Kampf
/maɪ̯n kam(p)f/word by word
Mein Kampf is the German way to say "my struggle" in the context of the title of Adolf Hitler's autobiographical manifesto.
Mein Kampf is the title of Adolf Hitler's autobiography and may evoke negative connotations.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the possessive pronoun mein (my) and the noun Kampf (struggle/fight).
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun Kampf is a masculine noun, which is why the possessive pronoun mein takes the nominative masculine singular form.
Did you know?
- The word Kampf originally had nothing to do with fighting, but meant the 'field' or 'battlefield' itself. It is a cognate of the English word 'camp', which derives from the same root.
- The sale and distribution of the book Mein Kampf are subject to strict legal restrictions and academic oversight in modern Germany.
- While the phrase is famously a book title, the word Kampf is used every day in modern German to describe something as common as 'combat sports', or Kampfsport.
Examples in context
- Mein Kampf ist ein bekanntes Buch.Mein Kampf is a well-known book.
- Er analysiert den Inhalt von Mein Kampf.He is analyzing the content of Mein Kampf.
- Das Buch heißt Mein Kampf.The book is called Mein Kampf.
Example conversation
Two students are talking about a history assignment in the library.
- LukasLaura, hast du das Buch Mein Kampf gefunden?Laura, did you find the book Mein Kampf?
- LauraJa, es steht im Sonderarchiv.Yes, it is in the special archive.
- LukasWir brauchen es für unser Referat.We need it for our presentation.
- LauraIch bringe es sofort zu Lukas.I will bring it to Lukas immediately.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (mein, Kampf) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Kampf, mein, CC BY-SA 4.0.
