das  Ackerland

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈakɐlant/

🌍 What exactly is Ackerland?

Das Ackerland refers to an area of land used for agriculture (Ackerbau). This means the soil is regularly plowed or worked (geackert) to grow crops like grains, potatoes, or vegetables.

It's a compound word formed from:

• Acker (der): A piece of land plowed for growing crops.
• Land (das): An area of earth; here meaning ground or soil.

Since the second part of the word is "Land" and its article is "das", the compound word takes its article: das Ackerland.

🧐 Grammar of Ackerland in Detail

Das Ackerland is a neuter noun (sächliches Substantiv). It is mostly used in the singular form, as it often describes a general area.

Declension (Singular)

The plural form "die Ackerländer" is rather rare and is mainly used when referring to specific, separate plots of arable land, often in a regional or administrative context.

Example Sentences

1. Der Bauer pflügt sein Ackerland.
   (The farmer plows his arable land.)
2. Die Fruchtbarkeit des Ackerlandes hat nachgelassen.
   (The fertility of the arable land has decreased.)
3. Auf dem Ackerland wächst dieses Jahr Mais.
   (Corn is growing on the arable land this year.)
4. Die Gemeinde hat neues Ackerland ausgewiesen.
   (The municipality has designated new arable land.)

🌾 How is Ackerland used?

Das Ackerland is primarily used in contexts related to agriculture (Landwirtschaft), geography (Geografie), and land-use planning (Raumplanung).

• Agriculture: Describes the primary resource for growing crops. Example: "Die Umwandlung von Grünland in Ackerland nimmt zu." (The conversion of grassland to arable land is increasing.)
• Geography/Planning: Used to classify land use types. Example: "Der Flächennutzungsplan weist große Bereiche als Ackerland aus." (The land-use plan designates large areas as arable land.)
• Economics: Arable land is an important factor of production. Example: "Die Preise für Ackerland sind in den letzten Jahren gestiegen." (The prices for arable land have risen in recent years.)

Distinction from similar terms:

• Feld (das): More general term for an open area of land; can be Ackerland, but also a meadow or sports field.
• Weideland (das): Land used for grazing animals, not for plowing and planting. (Pastureland)
• Grünland (das): General term for meadows and pastures. (Grassland)
• Brachland (das): Agricultural land temporarily left unused. (Fallow land)

🧠 Mnemonics for Ackerland

Remembering the article: Think of the second part of the word: It's "das Land" (the land), so it's also "das Ackerland". *Land* sets the gender!

Remembering the meaning: An Acker is for *ackern* (a colloquial term for working hard, originally plowing). So, Ackerland is land where you *work* (plow) to grow things. Think of an 'acre' of land needing work.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms of Ackerland

⚠️ Caution: While "Feld" can often be used synonymously, it's less specific than Ackerland.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Bauer sein Ackerland eingezäunt?
Damit die Preise nicht ins Bodenlose fallen! 🌾

(Why did the farmer fence in his arable land?
So the prices wouldn't hit rock bottom! - A pun on "Boden" meaning ground/soil and "ins Bodenlose fallen" meaning to plummet.)

📜 A Poem about Ackerland

Weites, braunes Ackerland,
Bearbeitet von fleiß'ger Hand.
Im Frühling grün, im Sommer reif,
Ein Segen, wenn die Ernte greift.
Das Ackerland, so still und breit,
Ernährt uns Menschen Jahr und Zeit.

(Wide, brown arable land,
Worked by diligent hand.
Green in spring, ripe in summer,
A blessing when the harvest comes.
The arable land, so quiet and wide,
Feeds us humans year and time.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich werde gepflügt, doch bin kein Buch.
Ich trage Früchte, doch bin kein Strauch.
Mein Artikel ist sächlich, das ist bekannt.
Wie nennt man mich, das bearbeitete Land?

(I am plowed, but I'm not a book.
I bear fruit, but I'm not a bush.
My article is neuter, that is known.
What am I called, the cultivated land?)

Solution: das Ackerland

💡 More Interesting Facts

Word Composition

As mentioned, Ackerland is a compound word (Kompositum) from:

• der Acker: Determines the purpose (working the soil).
• das Land: Determines the basic meaning (area) and the article (das).

Significance

Ackerland (arable land) is one of the most crucial foundations for human nutrition and civilization. Its conservation and sustainable management are key topics in ecology and economics.