das  Kamerun

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/kameˈʁuːn/

🌍 What does „das Kamerun“ mean?

„Kamerun“ refers to a country in Central Africa. The official name is the Republic of Cameroon (die Republik Kamerun).

In German, country names are usually used without an article when speaking generally (e.g., „Ich reise nach Kamerun“ - I'm travelling to Cameroon, „Kamerun ist ein vielfältiges Land“ - Cameroon is a diverse country).

However, the article „das“ (the neuter 'the') is used when:

• the country is described more specifically (e.g., „das heutige Kamerun“ - today's Cameroon, „das wirtschaftlich aufstrebende Kamerun“ - the economically emerging Cameroon).
• it appears in certain grammatical constructions that require an article.
• one explicitly wants to emphasize the neuter gender of the country name (which is rare).

⚠️ Note: The most common usage is without an article!

🧐 Grammar of „das Kamerun“ in Detail

Although usually used without an article, „Kamerun“ is grammatically neuter when an article is needed. It is then declined as follows:

Singular Declension (when article is used)

There is no plural for the country name „Kamerun“.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Geschichte des Kameruns ist komplex.
   (The history of Cameroon is complex.)
2. Wir besuchten das vielfältige Kamerun.
   (We visited the diverse Cameroon.)
3. Er lebt in Kamerun.
   (He lives in Cameroon.) - Typical usage without article.
4. Kamerun grenzt an Nigeria.
   (Cameroon borders Nigeria.) - Typical usage without article in the nominative case.

🗣️ How to use „Kamerun“?

The use of „Kamerun“ depends on the context:

• Without article (Standard case): In most situations when talking about the country, visiting it, or describing its location.
  Examples: „Fußball ist in Kamerun sehr beliebt.“ (Football is very popular in Cameroon.), „Die Hauptstadt von Kamerun ist Jaunde.“ (The capital of Cameroon is Yaoundé.)
• With article „das“ (Exception): When an adjective precedes it or when forming the genitive case and the article cannot be omitted.
  Examples: „Das Kamerun der Kolonialzeit war anders.“ (The Cameroon of the colonial era was different.), „Die Schönheit des Kameruns ist beeindruckend.“ (The beauty of Cameroon is impressive.)

One usually says „die Republik Kamerun“ when using the official name.

🧠 Mnemonics for „das Kamerun“

For the article: Think of "das Land" (the country). Many country names in German that don't have a strong inherent gender association (like die Schweiz 'f', der Iran 'm') default to neuter ('das') when an article is required. Remembering "Das Land Kamerun" helps recall "das".

For the meaning: Imagine using a Camera while you run around the diverse country of Cameroon. Cameroon.

↔️ Synonyms and Related Terms

😄 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Kameruner immer einen Regenschirm mit zum Fußballspiel?
(Why do Cameroonians always take an umbrella to the football match?)

Damit sie nicht von einer Flanke nass werden! ☔⚽
(So they don't get wet from a cross/flank!)
(Note: „Flanke“ means both a cross in football and can metaphorically mean 'side' or 'flank', but the joke plays on the literal sound.)

✍️ Poem about Cameroon

Vom Berg Kamerun, so hoch und stolz,
(From Mount Cameroon, so high and proud,) Bis zur Küste, wo die Welle rollt.
(To the coast, where the wave rolls.) Das bunte Kamerun, ein reiches Land,
(Colorful Cameroon, a rich land,) Mit Savanne, Wald und Meeresstrand.
(With savanna, forest, and ocean strand.)

Vielfalt der Völker, Sprachenklang,
(Diversity of peoples, sound of languages,) Ein Herz Zentralafrikas, lebenslang.
(A heart of Central Africa, lifelong.) Ob Markt in Douala, Palast in Jaunde rein,
(Whether market in Douala, palace in Yaoundé pure,) Kamerun wird stets besonders sein.
(Cameroon will always be special.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich liege in Afrikas Mitte, nicht ganz klein,
(I lie in Africa's middle, not quite small,) mein Name klingt fast wie „komm her rein“.
(my name sounds almost like "come on in".) Ein großer Berg trägt meinen Namen stolz,
(A large mountain proudly bears my name,) ich habe Küste, Dschungel, heißes Holz.
(I have coast, jungle, hot wood.) Mal brauch' ich „das“, mal steh ich ohne da.
(Sometimes I need "das", sometimes I stand without it.)

Welches Land bin ich? Klar doch, ...
(Which country am I? Clearly, ...)

Kamerun
(Cameroon)

💡 Other Information

Etymology: The name „Kamerun“ derives from the Portuguese „Rio dos Camarões“ (River of Prawns). Portuguese explorers gave the Wouri River this name in the 15th century due to the abundance of crabs and prawns.

Trivia:

• Cameroon is often called "Africa in miniature" (Afrika im Miniaturformat) due to its geological and cultural diversity.
• Mount Cameroon (Kamerunberg) is one of Africa's highest peaks and an active volcano.
• Football (Fußball) is the national sport, and the national team ("The Indomitable Lions" - „die Unzähmbaren Löwen“) is internationally renowned.