das
Feuer
🔥 What does "das Feuer" mean?
Das Feuer primarily refers to the visible phenomenon of combustion, involving heat and light (Flammen - flames, Glut - embers). It's a fundamental element with both destructive and beneficial power.
- Heat and Light: The most common meaning relates to the chemical reaction of burning. Example: Ein gemütliches Kaminfeuer (A cozy fireplace fire). 🔥
- Passion/Zeal: Figuratively, "Feuer" can describe strong emotions, enthusiasm, or passion. Example: Sie sprach mit Feuer in den Augen über ihr Projekt (She spoke with fire in her eyes about her project). ❤️🔥
- Gunfire: In a military or police context, "Feuer!" is the command to shoot. Example: Der Hauptmann gab den Befehl: "Feuer!" (The captain gave the command: "Fire!") 💥
🚨 Important: Although it's a fundamental element, the noun "Feuer" in German is neuter (sächlich).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-euer → fast immer neutral.
Caution: -er nouns are mostly masculine (der Fahrer).
📚 Grammar of "das Feuer"
"Feuer" is a neuter noun. The article is das.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Feuer |
| Genitive | des | Feuers |
| Dative | dem | Feuer |
| Accusative | das | Feuer |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Feuer |
| Genitive | der | Feuer |
| Dative | den | Feuern |
| Accusative | die | Feuer |
Example Sentences
- Nominative: Das Feuer im Kamin wärmt den Raum. (The fire in the fireplace warms the room.)
- Genitive: Die Hitze des Feuers war intensiv. (The heat of the fire was intense.)
- Dative: Wir saßen nahe dem Feuer. (We sat near the fire.)
- Accusative: Sie beobachteten das Feuer am Strand. (They watched the fire on the beach.)
- Plural: Überall in der Stadt brannten kleine Feuer. (Small fires were burning all over the city.)
💡 Using "Feuer" in Context
Typical Contexts
- Literal meaning: Lagerfeuer (campfire), Kaminfeuer (fireplace fire), Waldbrand (forest fire), Kerzenfeuer (candle fire). Often associated with warmth, danger, destruction, or coziness.
- Figurative meaning: Passion ("Feuer und Flamme sein" - to be fired up/enthusiastic), temperament ("ein hitziges Feuer" - a fiery temper), enthusiasm ("das innere Feuer" - the inner fire).
- Military/Police: Command to shoot ("Feuer frei!" - fire at will!).
- Idioms (Redewendungen):
- Feuer fangen: To catch fire (literally); to become enthusiastic (figuratively).
- Mit dem Feuer spielen: To play with fire (do something risky).
- Öl ins Feuer gießen: To add fuel to the fire (worsen a conflict).
- Für jemanden durchs Feuer gehen: To go through fire for someone (do anything for them).
Comparison with Similar Words
- Brand (der): Usually refers to a larger, often uncontrolled and destructive fire (e.g., Hausbrand - house fire, Waldbrand - forest fire). Focus is on the damaging event.
- Flamme (die): The visible, luminous part of the fire. Focus is on the light emission.
- Glut (die): Burning material without flames, but with intense heat.
🧠 Mnemonics for "das Feuer"
Mnemonic for the article (das):
Think of fire as a neutral element – it can provide warmth (good) or cause destruction (bad). Things that are neutral or elemental concepts in German often take das. So, das Feuer.
Mnemonic for the meaning:
"Feuer" sounds a bit like the English word "fury". Think of the fury of a raging fire. Alternatively, think of the Feuerwehr (fire brigade) - they deal with Feuer!
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
Antonyms (Opposites):
- Wasser (das): Water (extinguishes fire).
- Kälte (die): Coldness.
- Eis (das): Ice.
- Gleichgültigkeit (die): Indifference (opposite of figurative fire/passion).
⚠️ Similar Sounding Words (Caution!):
😄 A Little Joke
Was sagt ein Holzscheit zum anderen im Kamin?
"Wir brennen darauf, uns kennenzulernen!" 🔥😉
(What does one log say to the other in the fireplace?
"We're burning to get to know each other!" - a pun on "brennen darauf" meaning "to be eager/dying to")
📜 Poem about Fire
Das Feuer
Rot und heiß, ein wilder Tanz,
Das Feuer leuchtet, voller Glanz.
Es wärmt die Hütte, kocht den Sud,
Doch birgt auch Zerstörung, wilde Wut.
Mal züngelt klein die Flamme sacht,
Mal frisst die Glut mit aller Macht.
Ein Element, so alt wie d' Welt,
Das Feuer, das uns oft gefällt,
Doch Vorsicht ist stets angebracht!
The Fire
Red and hot, a wild dance bright,
The fire shines, with all its light.
It warms the hut, it cooks the stew,
But also holds destruction, fury too.
Sometimes the flame licks gently, low,
Sometimes the embers fiercely glow.
An element, as old as time,
The fire, we often find sublime,
But caution must always show!
❓ Riddle
Ich habe keine Stimme, doch ich kann brüllen.
Ich habe keinen Körper, doch ich kann verschlingen.
Ich tanze und ich springe, mal wild, mal klein.
Gib mir Holz, dann wachse ich – was mag ich sein?
(I have no voice, yet I can roar.
I have no body, yet I can devour.
I dance and I leap, sometimes wild, sometimes small.
Give me wood, and I grow – what might I be?)
Answer: Das Feuer (Fire)
🧩 Other Information
- Etymology: The word "Feuer" comes from Old High German "fiur" and Proto-Germanic "*fōr".
- Cultural Significance: Fire plays a central role in many cultures and mythologies (e.g., Prometheus bringing fire to humans; sacred fires; fire as a symbol of purification or destruction).
- Compound Words (Wortzusammensetzungen): "Feuer" is part of many compound nouns in German:
- Feuerwehr (fire department/brigade)
- Feuerzeug (lighter)
- Feueralarm (fire alarm)
- Feuerwerk (fireworks)
- Feuerstelle (fireplace, hearth)
- Leuchtfeuer (beacon)
- Feuersbrunst (conflagration, large destructive fire)
Summary: is it der, die or das Feuer?
The correct article for Feuer is das: das Feuer. It is a neuter noun.