das  Ass

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʔas/

🎯 What does 'das Ass' mean?

The word das Ass (noun, neuter) has several meanings:

• Playing card: The highest or lowest card in many card games (e.g., Herz-Ass - Ace of Hearts, Pik-Ass - Ace of Spades).
• Sports: A direct point scored on a serve that the opponent cannot return (e.g., in tennis or volleyball).
• Person: Someone who is outstanding in a particular field, an expert or whiz (often in the phrase "ein Ass in etwas sein" - to be an ace at something).

🚨 Attention: Although it sounds similar, "das Ass" is not the same as "der Arsch" (buttocks, vulgar). Using "das Ass" to mean buttocks is very rare and usually a confusion or regional peculiarity.

🧭 Grammar Guide for das Ass

"Ass" is a noun of neuter gender (Neutrum). It follows the strong declension pattern.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

💡 Example Sentences

1. Beim Pokern hatte er vier Asse auf der Hand.
   (In poker, he had four aces in his hand.) - Playing card
2. Sie schlug im entscheidenden Moment ein Ass.
   (She served an ace at the crucial moment.) - Sports
3. Er ist ein echtes Ass in Mathematik.
   (He is a real ace/whiz in mathematics.) - Expert
4. Mit diesem Ass im Ärmel konnte nichts mehr schiefgehen.
   (With this ace up his sleeve, nothing could go wrong anymore.) - Figurative: advantage

🚀 Where and How to Use 'das Ass'

The use of das Ass depends heavily on the context:

• Card games: Here, "das Ass" is the standard term for the ace card. Example: "Ich brauche noch das Karo-Ass." (I still need the ace of diamonds.)
• Sports commentary: You'll often hear the term, especially in tennis and volleyball. Example: "Mit drei Assen in Folge beendete sie den Satz." (She finished the set with three aces in a row.)
• Colloquial speech (Expert): It's an appreciative term for someone very skilled. Often used with the preposition "in" + Dative case. Example: "Frag Lisa, sie ist ein Ass in Physik." (Ask Lisa, she's an ace in physics.)
• Idioms: "Ein Ass im Ärmel haben" means to have an unexpected advantage or secret resource (to have an ace up one's sleeve).

Compared to Experte (expert) or Könner (master), Ass often sounds a bit more informal and colloquial when referring to a person.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Ass'

For the article: Think of things associated with the meanings that are neuter in German: das Spiel (the game - card game), das Netz (the net - tennis -> sports ace), das Genie (the genius - expert). All neuter, just like das Ass.

For the meaning: An Ass (ace) is like the number 1 (often the card's value, first place, unbeatable serve). It represents top performance – whether on a card, on the court, or in the mind! Remember the 'A' in Ace stands for 'A+' performance.

🔄 Synonyms, Antonyms & Similar Words

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Der Arsch: (vulgar) buttocks/ass. Do not confuse with das Ass!
• Die Esse: chimney. Sounds similar in plural ("Assen" vs. "Essen").

😄 A Little Joke about an Ace

Warum spielen Skelette kein Poker?
Sie haben kein Pokerface und können ihre Asse nicht verbergen – die Knochen gucken ja überall raus!

Translation:
Why don't skeletons play poker?
They don't have a poker face and can't hide their aces – their bones stick out everywhere!

🎤 Ace-High Poetry

Im Kartenblatt, da glänzt das Ass,
bringt Glück im Spiel, macht großen Spaß.
Im Tennis schnell, ein Schlag mit Macht,
ein Punktgewinn, bei Tag und Nacht.
Wer's wirklich kann, in seinem Fach,
den nennt man stolz ein Ass, ach!

Translation:
In the card hand, shines the ace,
Brings luck in game, brings lots of fun.
In tennis swift, a powerful strike,
A point scored, by day and night.
Who truly excels, in their own space,
Is proudly called an ace, oh grace!

❓ A Riddle for the Ace

Ich trage ein A, doch bin kein Vokal allein.
Mal bin ich im Spiel, mal schlag' ich Bälle rein.
Manchmal bin ich auch ein Mensch, der alles kann.
Was bin ich?

Translation:
I bear an A, but am not just a vowel.
Sometimes I'm in the game, sometimes I hit balls in well.
Sometimes I'm a person, who masters every plan.
What am I? Solution: Das Ass (The Ace)

🧐 More Ace Facts

Etymology: The word "Ass" comes from the Latin "as," which denoted a unit or a small copper coin. It entered German via the Old French "as" (the 'one' on a die).

Fliegerass: A special type of expert ace is the "Fliegerass" (flying ace or fighter ace), a pilot credited with a high number of aerial victories.