das
Ertrinken
💧 What does "das Ertrinken" mean?
Das Ertrinken is a German noun (neuter gender) meaning the act of drowning or death by drowning. It's the nominalization (making a noun from a verb) of the verb ertrinken (to drown).
Unlike the verb ertrinken (e.g., “Er ist ertrunken.” - “He drowned.”), das Ertrinken describes the general process or event itself (e.g., “Das Ertrinken ist eine häufige Todesursache bei Badeunfällen.” - “Drowning is a common cause of death in swimming accidents.”).
⚠️ This is a serious topic, often used in contexts of accidents, safety warnings, or medical emergencies.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Deverbal nouns → immer neutral.
These are nouns derived from verbs. They are also called Verbalsubstantive or Verbalnomen.
Deverbal nouns → immer neutral.
These are nouns derived from verbs. They are also called Verbalsubstantive or Verbalnomen.
📜 Grammar of "das Ertrinken" in Detail
Das Ertrinken is a nominalized verb (from ertrinken) and is therefore neuter (das). It is typically only used in the singular form because it describes a process or state.
| Case | Article | Noun | (English Case Name) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | das | Ertrinken | (Nominative) |
| Genitiv | des | Ertrinkens | (Genitive) |
| Dativ | dem | Ertrinken | (Dative) |
| Akkusativ | das | Ertrinken | (Accusative) |
A plural form ("die Ertrinken") is grammatically unusual and practically non-existent as it refers to an abstract process.
Examples to Clarify:
- Die Angst vor dem Ertrinken hielt ihn vom Schwimmen ab.
(Fear of drowning kept him from swimming.) (Dative) - Die Rettungsschwimmer warnten vor der Gefahr des Ertrinkens.
(The lifeguards warned about the danger of drowning.) (Genitive) - Das Ertrinken kann oft verhindert werden.
(Drowning can often be prevented.) (Nominative) - Sie musste das Ertrinken ihres Hundes mitansehen.
(She had to witness her dog's drowning.) (Accusative)
🗣️ Usage Notes
Das Ertrinken is used to talk about the specific process of dying in water, often in a more formal or general context than the verb ertrinken (to drown).
- Contexts: News reports about accidents, medical discussions, safety warnings, prevention campaigns, describing dangers.
- Distinction: While "Er ist ertrunken" describes a specific event involving a person, "Das Ertrinken" focuses on the process or the type of death itself. E.g., “Die Statistik zeigt einen Anstieg der Todesfälle durch das Ertrinken.” (Statistics show an increase in deaths by drowning.)
- Figurative Meaning: Sometimes used metaphorically, e.g., “das Ertrinken in Arbeit” (drowning in work) or “das Ertrinken in Schulden” (drowning in debt), but this is less common than with the verb “ertrinken” (e.g., “in Arbeit ertrinken”). The nominalized form primarily refers to death in water.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Remembering the Article: German verbs nominalized in their infinitive form (like laufen -> das Laufen, trinken -> das Trinken) almost always take the neuter article das. The same applies to ertrinken -> das Ertrinken. Think of the neutral, abstract event of drowning.
Remembering the Meaning: Imagine someone unwillingly having to trinken (to drink) water, leading to life being ERased (like the ER- in ERtrinken). The er- prefix in German often indicates a result or completion – sadly, a fatal one here.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
Related Terms:
- ertrinken (verb): to drown (the act itself, e.g., “Er ertrinkt!” - He is drowning!, “Sie ist ertrunken.” - She drowned.)
- ertränken (verb): to drown someone/something (active killing, e.g., “Er ertränkte die Katze.” - He drowned the cat.) ⚠️ Don't confuse these!
- der/die Ertrinkende: the drowning person (present participle used as noun).
- der/die Ertrunkene: the drowned person (past participle used as noun).
😂 A Little (Waterproof) Joke
DE: Warum nehmen Skelette nie ein Bad?
Weil sie Angst haben, zu Knochenschwimmern zu werden und dann als „Trockenfisch“ zu enden! 😉
EN: Why do skeletons never take a bath?
Because they're afraid of becoming bone-swimmers and ending up as "dried fish"! 😉
(Note: This is a harmless joke playing on words related to water and skeletons, not directly about the serious topic of drowning.)
📜 Poem about Water
DE:
Das Wasser lockt, so kühl und klar,
Ein Spiegelbild, so wunderbar.
Doch birgt die Tiefe auch Gefahr,
Das Ertrinken droht, wird's unachtbar.
Respekt die Flut, die sanfte Well',
Bleib sicher, wachsam, und sehr schnell
Kann Freude sich in Schrecken wandeln,
Drum lass uns stets mit Vorsicht handeln.
EN Translation:
The water calls, so cool and clear,
A reflection, wonderfully dear.
But depths conceal a danger near,
Drowning threatens if carelessness is here.
Respect the tide, the gentle wave,
Stay safe, alert, for very brave
Or foolish acts can turn joy to fright,
So let us always act with cautious might.
❓ Riddle Time
DE:
Ich bin ein stiller, nasser Tod,
Geschehe oft in Wassersnot.
Das Atmen hört durch mich auf,
Beende manchen Lebenslauf.
Man spricht von mir als Substantiv,
Wenn jemand in die Tiefe schlief.
Was bin ich?
Lösung: Das Ertrinken
EN Translation:
I am a silent, wet demise,
Occurring often 'neath water skies.
Through me, breathing comes to cease,
Ending many a life's lease.
I'm spoken of as a noun, you see,
When someone sleeps beneath the sea (or lake, or pool).
What am I?
Solution: Drowning (das Ertrinken)
🌐 Other Information
Word Formation (Wortbildung):
The word "Ertrinken" is a nominalization of the verb "ertrinken". The prefix "er-" often indicates a result or completion, in this case, a fatal one. The stem "trinken" (to drink) refers to the intake of liquid, which here happens involuntarily and into the airways.
Prevention (Prävention):
The topic "Ertrinken" is closely linked to water safety. Important prevention measures include:
- Learning to swim (Schwimmen lernen)
- Never leaving children unsupervised near water (Kinder nie unbeaufsichtigt am Wasser lassen)
- Following swimming rules (Baderegeln beachten)
- Avoiding alcohol before swimming (Alkohol vermeiden vor dem Schwimmen)
- Wearing life jackets (boating, etc.) (Rettungswesten tragen)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Ertrinken?
The word "Ertrinken" is the noun form of the verb "ertrinken" and describes the process or death by suffocation in liquid. As a nominalized infinitive verb, it is neuter: das Ertrinken.
