das  Eck

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛk/

📌 What does "das Eck" mean?

Das Eck (neuter) is a less common, often regional (especially Southern German, Austrian, Swiss) or poetic form for die Ecke (feminine), which means corner or angle. It refers to:

• The point or area where two lines, surfaces, or edges meet (inner or outer angle).
• A remote or specific place/area (e.g., im hintersten Eck des Gartens - in the furthest corner of the garden).
• Figuratively, sometimes a standpoint or perspective.

🚨 Attention: The standard form in High German and the far more frequent variant is die Ecke. "Das Eck" can sound outdated or dialectal, but it is used in certain fixed expressions or contexts (e.g., geometry: Dreieck - triangle, Viereck - quadrilateral), where it's often understood as part of the compound noun rather than an independent noun with an article.

📐 Grammar of "das Eck" in Detail

"Das Eck" is a neuter noun. The declension usually follows the pattern of strong neuter nouns, but the plural is rare and often identical to "die Ecken".

Example Sentences

1. Das Kind saß im finstersten Eck des Zimmers.
   (The child sat in the darkest corner of the room.)
2. Man findet dieses alte Buch nur noch in einem vergessenen Eck der Bibliothek.
   (One finds this old book only in a forgotten corner of the library.)
3. Jedes Eck des Hauses wurde gründlich geputzt. (More regional usage here)
   (Every corner of the house was cleaned thoroughly.)
4. Das Papier hat ein umgeknicktes Eck. (Often also: eine umgeknickte Ecke)
   (The paper has a folded corner.)

🗣️ When to use "das Eck"?

The use of "das Eck" is more specific than that of "die Ecke".

• Regionalism: Especially in the south of the German-speaking area (Bavaria, Austria, Switzerland), "das Eck" is more common in everyday life. Example: "Stell den Stuhl ins Eck." (Put the chair in the corner.)
• Poetic/Literary Language: Sometimes "das Eck" is used for a specific atmosphere or emphasis.
• Geometry/Mathematics: In terms like Dreieck (triangle), Viereck (quadrilateral), Fünfeck (pentagon), etc., "-eck" is part of the word and historically derived from it.
• Fixed Expressions: Rare, but possible, e.g., "jemanden ins Eck stellen" (to punish, put someone in the corner - outdated).

In general, and especially in formal High German, die Ecke is the preferred and correct form. If you are unsure, use "die Ecke".

⚠️ Avoid Confusion: "Das Eck" is not simply interchangeable with "die Ecke". The latter is much more common and universally understood.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Eck"

Article Mnemonic: Think of geometric shapes: das Dreieck (triangle), das Viereck (quadrilateral). These fixed terms use "das". Even though "die Ecke" is more common, this connection helps for "das Eck". Imagine it as a small, defined 'thing' -> neuter -> das Eck.

Meaning Mnemonic: An "Eck" is where things meet sharply, like an edge forming a corner. Think of the 'eck' sound as sharp, like a corner you might bump into.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "das Eck"

Similar-sounding, but misleading words:

• Das Leck: A 'leak' (sounds similar).
• Der Geck: A 'dandy' or 'fop' (sounds similar).
• Der Dreck: 'Dirt' or 'mud' (sounds similar).

😄 A little Joke

Warum haben Geometriebücher immer so schlechte Laune?
(Why are geometry books always in such a bad mood?)

Weil sie ständig Probleme mit ihren Ecken haben!
(Because they constantly have problems with their corners!) 😉

📜 Poem about the Corner (Eck)

Im Raum, ganz still und unentdeckt,
(In the room, quiet and undiscovered,)
liegt manches Mal ein kleines Eck.
(Sometimes lies a little corner.)
Nicht groß, nicht rund, nicht weit, nicht breit,
(Not big, not round, not far, not wide,)
ein stiller Ort für kurze Zeit.
(A quiet place for a short time.)
Man stellt dort ab, was grad nicht passt,
(One puts there what doesn't fit right now,)
im Eck ruht aus die schwere Last.
(In the corner rests the heavy burden.)
Ob spitz, ob stumpf, ob hell, ob grau,
(Whether sharp, whether blunt, whether light, whether gray,)
das Eck kennt jeder ganz genau.
(Everyone knows the corner very well.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich habe keine Stimme, doch manchmal stehst du still in mir.
(I have no voice, yet sometimes you stand still in me.)
Zwei Linien treffen sich bei mir.
(Two lines meet at my place.)
Im Zimmer bin ich oft zu vier'.
(In a room, I am often four.)
Man sagt oft "die", doch manchmal bin ich sächlich hier.
(People often say "die", but sometimes I am neuter here.)

Was bin ich? / What am I?
... Das Eck (oder die Ecke) / The corner

💡 Other Interesting Facts

Word Composition: "Das Eck" is the basis for many geometric terms in German:

• Dreieck: 'Triangle' (three corners).
• Viereck: 'Quadrilateral' (four corners).
• Rechteck: 'Rectangle' (special quadrilateral with right angles).
• Vieleck (Polygon): General term for a shape with many corners/angles.

Etymology: The word comes from the Old High German "ekka", meaning point or edge. The development into two genders (neuter and feminine) is a peculiarity of German language evolution, with "die Ecke" having become the dominant form.