Meaning & use
Nazi Germany
Last updated
Meanings
proper nounproper
Germany during the years 1933–1945, when it was ruled by Adolf Hitler and his National Socialist party.
Grammar: Used as a name, so no article is needed: 'Nazi Germany invaded Poland.'
Patterns
- in Nazi Germany
- Nazi Germany's leader
- during Nazi Germany
Many artists left Nazi Germany in the 1930s.
Nazi Germany surrendered in May 1945, ending the war in Europe.
The exhibition looks at everyday life in Nazi Germany.
proper nounproper
The political system and ideas of Hitler's rule in Germany, especially its racist and dictatorial character.
Grammar: Often used to mean the regime itself, not just the place and time: 'a study of Nazi Germany'.
Patterns
- the rise of Nazi Germany
- a history of Nazi Germany
Her book examines how Nazi Germany used propaganda.
They compare Nazi Germany with other authoritarian states of the period.
Common combinations
- in Nazi Germany
- Jewish families faced increasing persecution in Nazi Germany.
- the rise of Nazi Germany
- The film traces the rise of Nazi Germany after 1933.
- Nazi Germany's defeat
- Nazi Germany's defeat in 1945 changed the map of Europe.
- during Nazi Germany
- Many scientists emigrated during Nazi Germany.
- a history of Nazi Germany
- He teaches a course on the history of Nazi Germany.
Synonyms and how they differ
- the Third Reich
- The official name Hitler's regime used for itself; it sounds more formal and is common in historical writing.
- the Nazi regime
- Focuses on the government and its methods rather than on the country or the period.
Word family
Commonly confused: Nazi Germany or Germany? Nazi Germany or the Weimar Republic?
Nazi Germany vs Germany
Germany is the country at any time; Nazi Germany refers only to the 1933–1945 period under Hitler.
Nazi Germany vs the Weimar Republic
This was the democratic German state from 1919 to 1933, the period just before Nazi Germany.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'Nazi Germany' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Nazi Germany' is a proper name, so it takes no article and is treated as singular: 'Nazi Germany invaded Poland.' Option 0 wrongly adds 'a', option 2 wrongly adds 'the' and suggests a present-day tourist trip, and option 3 uses a plural verb and describes the modern country.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “Nazi Germany”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.