das  Becken

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈbɛkn̩/

📖 What does "das Becken" mean?

The word "das Becken" is a versatile German noun with several meanings, which differ significantly depending on the context. Fortunately, all these meanings use the article "das" (the, neuter).

• Anatomy 🦴: The bony structure between the abdomen and the legs, supporting the intestines and connecting the lower limbs to the trunk – *the pelvis*. (Example: Nach dem Sturz hatte er Schmerzen im Becken. - After the fall, he had pain in his pelvis.)
• Container/Vessel 🥣: A bowl or container, often used for washing or collecting liquids. This includes *sinks* (Waschbecken, Spülbecken), but also general shallow bowls. (Example: Bitte fülle das Becken mit warmem Wasser. - Please fill the basin with warm water. Das Schwimmbecken ist heute geschlossen. - The swimming pool is closed today.)
• Musical Instrument 🥁: A percussion instrument, usually a pair of concave metal discs struck against each other or with a stick – *a cymbal*. (Example: Der Schlagzeuger schlug das Becken zum Höhepunkt des Liedes. - The drummer struck the cymbal at the song's climax.)
• Geography/Geology ⛰️: A large, often low-lying geographical or geological formation, e.g., a valley basin or a sedimentary basin. (Example: Das Pariser Becken ist eine bedeutende geologische Struktur. - The Paris Basin is a significant geological structure.)

⚠️ Although the meanings are diverse, the article always remains das. This makes it easier to learn!

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Corner: Declension of "das Becken"

"Das Becken" is a noun of neuter gender (*sächlich*). It is declined as follows:

Example Sentences:

1. Anatomy: Das Becken stabilisiert den Rumpf. (The pelvis stabilizes the trunk.) Der Arzt untersuchte das Becken des Patienten. (The doctor examined the patient's pelvis.)
2. Container: Stell das schmutzige Geschirr in das Becken. (Put the dirty dishes in the sink/basin.) Die Kinder planschen im flachen Becken. (The children are splashing in the shallow pool/basin.)
3. Musical Instrument: Die lauten Schläge des Beckens durchdrangen die Musik. (The loud crashes of the cymbal permeated the music.) Er polierte die Becken seines Schlagzeugs. (He polished the cymbals of his drum kit.)
4. Geography: In diesem Becken sammelt sich das Regenwasser. (Rainwater collects in this basin.) Die Geologen erforschen die Struktur des Beckens. (Geologists are researching the structure of the basin.)

💡 How to Use "das Becken"?

The usage of "das Becken" heavily depends on the context:

• In a medical context, *Becken* refers to the *pelvis*, part of the skeleton. Often used in connection with hips, injuries, or childbirth (e.g., *Beckenboden* - pelvic floor, *Beckenbruch* - pelvic fracture).
• In the household or bathroom, *das Becken* usually means the *Waschbecken* (washbasin) or *Spülbecken* (kitchen sink). It can also be used more generally for bowls, e.g., *ein Becken mit Wasser füllen* (to fill a basin with water).
• At the swimming pool, *das Becken* is the area for swimming (*Schwimmbecken*, *Planschbecken* - paddling pool, *Sportbecken* - lap pool).
• In music, *das Becken* refers to the percussion instrument (*cymbal*). It's part of a *Schlagzeug* (drum kit). One might speak of *Crash-Becken* or *Hi-Hat-Becken*.
• In geography, *das Becken* describes a landscape feature, often surrounded by higher areas (e.g., *Talkessel* - valley basin, *Flussbecken* - river basin).

Although the meanings are very different, the consistent use of the article "das" rarely leads to confusion, as the context usually makes the intended meaning clear.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Becken"

For the article "das": Remember that many neuter nouns (*das*) in German refer to concepts, materials, or parts of a whole. Das Skelett (the skeleton) includes das Becken (the pelvis). Das Instrument (the instrument, referring to the drum kit) has das Becken (the cymbal). Das Bad (the bathroom) has das (Wasch-)Becken (the sink). Das Land (the country/land) has das (Tal-)Becken (the basin). It's always 'das'!
Alternatively: Think of things that *contain* something often being neuter: das Glas, das Fass (barrel), and das Becken (basin/pelvis/geographical basin all 'contain' something).

For the meanings: Imagine a musician playing the cymbals (*Becken*, meaning 3) so hard, one flies off and lands in a nearby sink (*Becken*, meaning 2). Trying to retrieve it, they slip and break their pelvis (*Becken*, meaning 1). All this happens in a large geographical basin (*Becken*, meaning 4) surrounded by mountains. A crazy story, but it links all four meanings! 😂

🔄 Synonyms and Related Terms

⚠️ Similar Words / Potential Confusion

• Backen (verb): *to bake*. Unrelated to the noun *Becken*, except perhaps distantly via the 'bowl' shape (*Gebäck* - pastry).
• Die Backe / Die Backen (noun): *cheek(s)* (face) or *buttocks*. Different article, different meaning.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Arzt den Patienten nach der Operation: "Na, wie fühlen Sie sich mit Ihrem neuen künstlichen Becken?" Antwortet der Patient: "Großartig! Endlich habe ich wieder den richtigen Schwung beim Putzen!"

English Translation: The doctor asks the patient after the operation: "Well, how do you feel with your new artificial pelvis (*künstlichen Becken*)?" The patient replies: "Great! I've finally got the right swing back for cleaning!"

(This plays on the double meaning of Becken as pelvis and basin/sink, implying the patient feels like a new sink ready for cleaning.)

✒️ Poem about "das Becken"

Das Becken, word of sound and sense,
Holds bones within us, quite immense.
Supports our organs, gives us stance,
A sturdy piece in life's great dance.

Das Becken, shining, cool, and clean,
Invites for washing, a daily scene.
In bath, in kitchen, clear and bright,
A faithful servant, day and night.

Das Becken, loud in drumming's sound,
Gives rhythm with metallic bound.
A hiss, a crash, both sharp and fine,
How music sounds, by its design.

Das Becken, wide in dale and land,
By mountains circled, close at hand.
Where rivers flow and waters rest,
Nature shapes it, puts to the test.

Four forms it takes, but here's the key,
The article's das, eternally!

❓ Riddle Time

German:
Ich trage Wasser, doch hab keinen Mund.
Ich bin aus Knochen, doch nicht immer gesund.
Ich mache Musik, doch hab keine Stimm'.
Ich liege im Tal, wo die Nebel schwimm'.

Was bin ich, stets mit 'das' bekannt?

English Translation:
I carry water, but have no mouth.
I am made of bone, but not always sound (healthy).
I make music, but have no voice.
I lie in the valley, where the mists swim.

What am I, always known with 'das'?

(Solution: das Becken)

Fascinating "Becken": Additional Info

Etymology (Word Origin)

The word "Becken" comes from the Old High German word "beckin", which originally meant "vessel", "bowl", or "basin". It's related to the verb "backen" (*to bake*), possibly due to the round, bowl-like shape produced when baking bread, or because kneading troughs (*Backtröge*) are also a type of basin. The anatomical meaning (*pelvis*) developed later due to the bowl-like shape of the hip bone structure. The musical meaning (*cymbal*) was added because of the instrument's shape.

Compound Words (Komposita)

"Becken" is part of many compound words in German, specifying the particular meaning:

• Anatomy: *Beckenboden* (pelvic floor), *Beckenknochen* (pelvic bone), *Beckenring* (pelvic girdle), *Beckenendlage* (breech presentation)
• Container: *Waschbecken* (washbasin), *Spülbecken* (kitchen sink), *Schwimmbecken* (swimming pool), *Planschbecken* (paddling pool), *Auffangbecken* (catch basin), *Taufbecken* (baptismal font)
• Music: *Schlagzeugbecken* (drum kit cymbal), *Crash-Becken* (crash cymbal), *Hi-Hat-Becken* (hi-hat cymbal), *Beckenständer* (cymbal stand)
• Geography: *Talbecken* (valley basin), *Flussbecken* (river basin), *Sedimentbecken* (sedimentary basin), *Pariser Becken* (Paris Basin)