das
Fasten
🍽️ What exactly is "das Fasten"?
Das Fasten refers to the conscious, voluntary abstinence from solid food and stimulants for a specific period. It can have religious, health-related, or spiritual reasons. It describes the process or the time of not eating.
It's important to note that "das Fasten" is mostly used as a nominalization of the verb "fasten" (to fast) and usually has no plural form, as it describes a state or process.
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 under the microscope: Das Fasten
"Das Fasten" is a neuter noun. It is typically used only in the singular.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | das | Fasten |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des | Fastens |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem | Fasten |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | das | Fasten |
Note: A plural form ("die Fasten") is very uncommon and would rather refer to multiple specific fasting periods, but is rarely used in general language.
Example Sentences:
- Das Fasten beginnt morgen für viele Gläubige.
(Fasting begins tomorrow for many believers.) - Während des Fastens trank er nur Wasser und Tee.
(During the fast / fasting, he only drank water and tea.) - Nach dem Fasten fühlt man sich oft gereinigt.
(After fasting, one often feels cleansed.) - Er praktiziert das Fasten aus gesundheitlichen Gründen.
(He practices fasting for health reasons.)
🗣️ How to use "das Fasten"?
"Das Fasten" is used in various contexts:
- Religious Context: Referring to fasting periods like Ramadan or the Christian Fastenzeit (Lent). (e.g., "Das Fasten im Ramadan ist eine der fünf Säulen des Islam." - Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam.)
- Health Context: In connection with Heilfasten (therapeutic fasting), Intervallfasten (intermittent fasting), or diets. (e.g., "Das Intervallfasten gewinnt an Popularität." - Intermittent fasting is gaining popularity.)
- General Abstinence: Sometimes used metaphorically for abstaining from other things. (e.g., "Digitales Fasten bedeutet, bewusst auf Medien zu verzichten." - Digital fasting means consciously abstaining from media.)
It describes the act of fasting itself. The corresponding verb is "fasten" (to fast), e.g., "Ich faste." (I am fasting.).
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic: Think of neuter things in German like "das Wasser" (water) or "das Brot" (bread) – things often central to life or... abstinence. During das Fasten, you might only have das Wasser.
Meaning Mnemonic: "Fasten" sounds a bit like the English "fasten" (your seatbelt). When you are fasting (das Fasten), you have to "fasten" your resolve and resist food.
🔄 Similar & Opposite: Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Der Verzicht: Abstinence, waiver, renunciation (more general).
- Die Enthaltsamkeit: Abstinence, continence (often stronger, also relating to alcohol or sex).
- Die Nahrungsenthaltung: Abstinence from food (very specific).
- Das Heilfasten: Therapeutic fasting (fasting for health under supervision).
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Das Schlemmen: Feasting, indulging.
- Die Völlerei: Gluttony, overeating.
- Das Genießen: Enjoying (food and drink).
- Die Nahrungsaufnahme: Food intake, ingestion.
⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse the German verb "fasten" (to fast) or noun "das Fasten" (fasting) with the English adjective "fast" (quick, rapid), although etymologically they might be related via the concept of being "firm" or "steadfast".
😂 A little joke
Warum hat der Computer gefastet?
(Why did the computer fast?)
Er wollte seine Cookies löschen!
(It wanted to delete its cookies!)
📜 A poem about Fasting
Der Teller leer, der Magen still,
Das Fasten ist's, was ich jetzt will.
Ein Tag Verzicht, für Leib und Geist,
Damit die Seele leichter reist.
Kein Festmahl heut', nur Wasser klar,
So wird die inn're Stimme wahr.
--- Translation ---
The plate empty, the stomach still,
Fasting it is, what I now will.
A day of abstinence, for body and mind,
So that the soul travels lighter, you find.
No feast today, just water clear,
Thus the inner voice becomes sincere.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin ein freiwilliger Verzicht,
mal kurz, mal lang, mal schwer, mal licht.
Ich stärke Körper, Geist und Sinn,
obwohl kein Essen ist drin.
Man tut mich oft aus Glaubensgrund,
oder hält damit den Körper gesund.
Was bin ich?
--- Translation & Clues ---
I am a voluntary abstinence,
sometimes short, sometimes long, sometimes heavy, sometimes light.
I strengthen body, mind, and sense,
although there is no food within.
People often do me for reasons of faith,
or keep the body healthy therewith.
What am I?
Solution: das Fasten (fasting)
💡 Other Information
Word Formation: "Das Fasten" is a noun formed from the verb "fasten" (to fast).
Cultural Significance: Fasting practices are deeply rooted in many cultures and religions worldwide (e.g., Christianity - Fastenzeit/Lent, Islam - Ramadan, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism).
Related Terms:
- Die Fastenzeit (Lent)
- Der Ramadan (Ramadan)
- Das Intervallfasten (Intermittent fasting)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Fasten?
The correct article for the act or period of voluntary abstinence from food is das Fasten.