das
Hafenbecken
🌊 What Exactly is a Hafenbecken?
Das Hafenbecken (neuter gender) refers to an artificially created or naturally formed, enclosed body of water within a harbour or port. It serves as a berthing place for ships for loading and unloading, maintenance, or as a safe anchorage. Think of it as the 'parking garage' for ships in the port.
It's a compound noun made up of:
Since the base word "Becken" is neuter (das Becken), the compound word "Hafenbecken" is also neuter: das Hafenbecken.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Deverbal nouns → immer neutral.
These are nouns derived from verbs. They are also called Verbalsubstantive or Verbalnomen.
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Das Hafenbecken
The word "Hafenbecken" is a neuter noun. The article is always das.
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | das | Hafenbecken |
| Genitive (Whose?) | des | Hafenbeckens |
| Dative (To whom/what?) | dem | Hafenbecken |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | das | Hafenbecken |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Hafenbecken |
| Genitive | der | Hafenbecken |
| Dative | den | Hafenbecken |
| Accusative | die | Hafenbecken |
📝 Example Sentences
- Im Hamburger Hafen gibt es viele große Hafenbecken.
In the Port of Hamburg, there are many large harbour basins. - Das Schiff fuhr langsam in das Hafenbecken ein.
The ship slowly entered the harbour basin. - Die Tiefe des Hafenbeckens muss regelmäßig überprüft werden.
The depth of the harbour basin must be checked regularly. - Wir machten einen Spaziergang entlang der Hafenbecken.
We took a walk along the harbour basins.
⚓ How to Use "Hafenbecken"?
The term "Hafenbecken" is primarily used in the context of ports, shipping, and hydraulic engineering.
- Geographically/Technically: To describe a specific part of a port. Example: Das neue Hafenbecken wurde für Containerschiffe konzipiert. (The new harbour basin was designed for container ships.)
- Generally: When talking about port facilities. Example: Die Möwen kreisten über dem Hafenbecken. (The seagulls circled over the harbour basin.)
It's a relatively specific term. In everyday language, people often just say Hafen (port) or sometimes Dock, although das Dock more accurately refers to a facility for dry-docking ships. Das Bassin is a synonym but often used more generally for any water basin.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
For the article (das): Think of "das Becken" (like a sink basin or swimming pool basin - das Schwimmbecken). A Hafenbecken is just a large water basin. And it's das Becken. Therefore: das Hafenbecken.
For the meaning: Imagine ships parking in a huge "basin" (Becken) in the harbour (Hafen). The Hafen-Becken is the parking spot for ships.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Das Dock: Often used synonymously, but more specifically refers to a facility for repairing or dry-docking ships.
- Das Bassin: A more general term for a basin of water, but can also be used for a harbour basin.
- Der Hafenteil: (Port section) A more general description.
- Der Kai / Die Kaianlage: (Quay / Quay facility) Refers more to the wharf or landing stage itself.
⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse it with "Becken" alone, which is much more general (e.g., das Waschbecken - sink, das Becken - pelvis).
😄 A Little Joke
Warum sind Geisterschiffe so schlecht im Einparken im Hafenbecken?
Weil sie keinen festen Kurs halten können!
Why are ghost ships so bad at parking in the harbour basin?
Because they can't hold a steady (festen - also means 'solid') course!
✍️ Poem about the Hafenbecken
Im Hafenbecken, still und breit,
Liegt manch ein Schiff zur Ruh bereit.
Das Wasser glänzt im Sonnenlicht,
Ein sicherer Ort, man sieht's am Gesicht
Der Seeleut', die an Land nun geh'n,
Im Becken Schutz und Frieden seh'n.
In the harbour basin, calm and wide,
Many a ship rests, ready to ride.
The water gleams in sunlight bright,
A safe haven, a welcome sight
For sailors stepping onto shore,
Finding peace and shelter evermore.
❓ A Little Riddle
Ich bin ein Teil vom großen Port,
Ein Wasserfeld, ein sichrer Ort.
Hier legen Schiffe an und ab,
Bin weder Fluss noch Meeresgrab.
Mein Grundwort ist sächlich, merk es dir,
"Das" steht vor mir, glaube mir.
Was bin ich?
I am part of the major port,
A field of water, a safe resort.
Here ships arrive and ships depart,
Neither river nor ocean's graveyard art.
My base word is neuter, note it well,
"Das" comes before me, truth I tell.
What am I?
Solution: Das Hafenbecken (The harbour basin)
🧩 Word Building Blocks: Das Hafenbecken
The word "Hafenbecken" is a compound noun (ein Kompositum), meaning it's built from multiple words:
- Der Hafen: (The harbour/port) The place where ships dock. Comes from the Middle Low German word "haven", originally meaning "possession" or "hold" (something that holds ships).
- Das Becken: (The basin) A depression that can hold water or other liquids. The word is related to "backen" (to bake) in the sense of a bulge or curve.
Together, the meaning is essentially "a basin in the harbour". The neuter gender (das) is determined by the base word das Becken.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Hafenbecken?
The German noun "Hafenbecken" is neuter. The correct article is always das: das Hafenbecken (the harbour basin), des Hafenbeckens (of the harbour basin), die Hafenbecken (the harbour basins - plural).