das
Geländer
railing 🚧 What exactly is 'das Geländer'?
Das Geländer (noun, neuter) refers to a protective barrier, usually in the form of a structure made of posts, bars, or panels. It's installed on stairs (Treppen), balconies (Balkonen), bridges (Brücken), terraces (Terrassen), or other elevated areas.
Its main purpose is to protect people from falling or to provide support (Halt geben).
It typically consists of posts (Pfosten), a handrail (Handlauf) (which you hold onto), and an infill (Füllung) (e.g., vertical bars, glass panels, mesh).
This word only uses the article das; there are no other meanings associated with different articles.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Ge- → mostly neutral.
Nouns beginning with Ge- are usually neutral, unless other rules apply. We do not list all Ge nouns.
Ge- → mostly neutral.
Nouns beginning with Ge- are usually neutral, unless other rules apply. We do not list all Ge nouns.
grammatic 🧐 The Grammar of "das Geländer"
The word "Geländer" is a neuter noun and takes the article das. It follows the strong declension pattern.
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | das Geländer | ein Geländer |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des Geländers | eines Geländers |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem Geländer | einem Geländer |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | das Geländer | ein Geländer |
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Geländer | Geländer |
| Genitive | der Geländer | Geländer |
| Dative | den Geländern | Geländern |
| Accusative | die Geländer | Geländer |
Example Sentences
- Halte dich bitte am Geländer fest, die Treppe ist steil.
(Please hold onto the railing, the stairs are steep.) - Das alte Holzgeländer am Balkon muss erneuert werden.
(The old wooden railing on the balcony needs to be replaced.) - Von der Brücke aus schauten die Kinder durch die Geländer auf den Fluss.
(From the bridge, the children looked through the railings at the river.) - Ein stabiles Geländer ist für die Sicherheit unerlässlich.
(A sturdy railing is essential for safety.)
context 🗺️ When and how to use "Geländer"?
"Das Geländer" is used whenever referring to the described safety barrier.
- Context: Architecture (Architektur), construction (Bauwesen), safety engineering (Sicherheitstechnik), everyday descriptions of buildings or outdoor areas.
- Function: It provides protection against falling (Absturzsicherung) and support (Halt), functioning as a handrail (Handlauf).
- Materials: Railings can be made of various materials, e.g., Holzgeländer (wooden railing), Metallgeländer (metal railing - stainless steel, wrought iron), Glasgeländer (glass railing).
- Locations: Typical locations include Treppengeländer (stair railing), Balkongeländer (balcony railing), Brückengeländer (bridge railing), Terrassengeländer (terrace railing).
Sometimes the term "Handlauf" (handrail) is used synonymously, but technically, the Handlauf is just the top part of the Geländer that you hold onto. A "Brüstung" (parapet) is similar but often more solid (e.g., made of masonry).
brain 🧠 Mnemonics for "das Geländer"
For the article (das): Think of das Haus (the house). A house often has stairs and balconies, and das Haus needs das Geländer for safety. Or: Imagine the railing saying "Safety is 'das' thing!"
For the meaning: "Geländer" sounds a bit like 'go land there' safely instead of falling. Or it sounds like 'lean there' - you lean on the railing for support.
similar ↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Die Brüstung: Often more solid, made of masonry or concrete, e.g., on balconies or windows (parapet).
- Der Handlauf: Specifically the top part of the railing for holding onto (handrail).
- Die Balustrade: An ornamental railing, often with pillar-like posts (balusters).
- Die Absturzsicherung: A more general term for devices preventing falls (fall protection).
Watch out for confusion:
- Das Gelände: Means area, site, terrain. Sounds similar but is unrelated to the safety barrier.
joke 😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat das Gespenst Angst vor der Treppe?
Weil es kein Geländer zum Festhalten für Geister gibt! 👻
---
Why is the ghost afraid of the stairs?
Because there's no railing for ghosts to hold onto! 👻
rhyme 📜 Poem about the Railing
An Stufen steil, am Abgrund tief,
Wo leicht ein falscher Schritt entlief,
Steht treu und fest, aus Stahl, aus Holz,
Das Geländer, unser Stolz.
Es bietet Halt, gibt Sicherheit,
Bewahrt vor Leid und Bitterkeit.
Am Balkon, an Brücke, an der Wand,
Reicht es uns schützend seine Hand.
---
On steps so steep, by chasms deep,
Where easily a foot might slip,
Stands loyal, firm, of steel or wood,
The railing, for our common good.
It offers hold, gives safety true,
Protects from sorrow, pain for you.
On balcony, on bridge, on wall,
It lends a helping hand to all.
riddle 🤔 Little Riddle
Ich steh' an Kanten, hoch und tief,
Damit kein Fuß daneben lief.
Ich biete Halt, bin oft aus Metall,
Und schütze dich vor einem Fall.
Was bin ich?
Lösung: Das Geländer
---
I stand at edges, high and low,
So that no foot astray will go.
I offer support, I'm often metal-made,
And shield you from a falling grade.
What am I?
Solution: Das Geländer (The railing)
info 💡 Other Interesting Facts
Word Formation (Wortbildung):
The word "Geländer" likely consists of the prefix "Ge-" and a stem related to "Land" or "Lende" (meaning side, support) or perhaps "lehnen" (to lean). The prefix "Ge-" often indicates a collective noun or a result (like in Gebirge - mountains, Gebäude - building).
Cultural Significance:
Railings can also be design elements that shape the style of a building, ranging from simple functional designs to ornate wrought iron works.
Norms and Regulations (Normen und Vorschriften):
In Germany, there are detailed building codes (e.g., in the Landesbauordnungen - state building codes) that specify when, where, and at what height railings are mandatory to ensure safety.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Geländer?
The German word for 'railing' or 'banister' is das Geländer (neuter). It refers to a safety barrier on stairs, balconies, etc. The plural form is die Geländer.