das  Kreuz

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/kʁɔʏ̯ts/

✝️ What does "das Kreuz" actually mean?

The German word "das Kreuz" has several meanings:

• Religious Symbol: The most common meaning is the Christian Kreuz (cross), a symbol of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It can refer to the symbol itself or a Kruzifix (crucifix - cross with the body). (e.g., Ein Kreuz hängt an der Wand. - A cross hangs on the wall.)
• Geometric Shape/Mark: A figure consisting of two intersecting lines, often at right angles. Also used as a mark (X). (e.g., Machen Sie ein Kreuz in das Kästchen. - Put a cross in the box.)
• Lower Back (Anatomy): The area of the lumbar spine and sacrum, often referred to colloquially as das Kreuz. (e.g., Ich habe Schmerzen im Kreuz. / Mir tut das Kreuz weh. - I have pain in my lower back. / My lower back hurts.)
• Suit in Playing Cards: The suit of clubs (♣) in German and French playing cards is called Kreuz. (e.g., Kreuz ist Trumpf. - Clubs are trumps.)
• Burden/Trouble (figurative): Often in idioms like "sein Kreuz tragen" = to bear one's cross/burden. (e.g., Jeder hat sein Kreuz zu tragen. - Everyone has their cross to bear.)

⚠️ Even though there are different meanings, the article is always das.

The Grammar of "das Kreuz" 🧐

"Das Kreuz" is a neuter noun. Here is its declension:

Singular Declension

*The dative ending "-e" (dem Kreuze) is archaic or only used in fixed expressions or elevated language.

Plural Declension

Example Sentences 📝

1. (Religion) An vielen Kirchtürmen sieht man ein Kreuz.
   (On many church towers, you see a cross.)
2. (Mark) Bitte markieren Sie die richtige Antwort mit einem Kreuz.
   (Please mark the correct answer with a cross.)
3. (Anatomy) Nach der Gartenarbeit schmerzte ihm das Kreuz.
   (His lower back hurt after gardening.)
4. (Playing cards) Er hatte drei Kreuze auf der Hand.
   (He had three clubs in his hand.)
5. (Figurative) Es ist ein Kreuz mit dieser alten Waschmaschine!
   (It's a real pain/burden with this old washing machine!)

Usage in Daily Life: When to say "Kreuz"? 🤔

"Das Kreuz" is used in different contexts depending on its meaning:

• Religious Contexts: In churches, discussions about faith, art history (depictions of the crucifixion).
• Medical/Everyday Contexts: When talking about back pain, fitness, anatomy (e.g., "sich ins Kreuz schießen" - to suddenly get a sharp pain in the lower back, like pulling a muscle).
• Forms/Instructions: When filling out documents, multiple-choice tests ("kreuzen Sie an" - tick the box / mark with a cross).
• Card Games: In games like Skat, Bridge, etc.
• Idioms:
  • "Sein Kreuz tragen": To bear one's cross/burden.
  • "Zu Kreuze kriechen": To crawl back apologetically, to eat humble pie.
  • "Drei Kreuze machen": To make the sign of the cross three times (expression of relief that something unpleasant is over).
  • "Ein Kreuz mit jemandem/etwas haben": To have trouble or difficulty with someone/something.

Compared to "Kruzifix" (which only refers to the cross with the figure of Christ), "Kreuz" is the more general term for the symbol. In the anatomical sense, it's a colloquial term for the lumbar spine/sacrum area.

💡 Mnemonics for "das Kreuz"

Mnemonic for the article (das):

Think of das Symbol (neuter noun for symbol) or das Zeichen (neuter noun for sign/mark) – both are neuter, just like das Kreuz.

Alternatively, imagine a neutral, geometric shape - it's just lines, 'it' doesn't have a gender -> das Kreuz.

Mnemonic for the meanings:

Imagine someone with a bad back (lower back - Kreuz) making the sign of the cross (religious symbol - Kreuz) before marking an X (mark - Kreuz) on their losing lottery ticket, thinking, "What a burden (Kreuz) this bad luck is!" Maybe they should play cards (clubs - Kreuz) instead.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Words

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Mathematiker Rückenschmerzen?

(Why does the mathematician have back pain?)

Weil er zu oft das Kreuzprodukt berechnet hat!

(Because he calculated the cross product too often!)

(Note: "Kreuzprodukt" means cross product in vector math, and "Kreuz" also means lower back.)

📜 A Little Poem

Das Kreuz, es hängt an hoher Wand,
(The cross, it hangs on a high wall,)
Ein Zeichen, wohlbekannt im Land.
(A symbol, well-known in the land.)
Doch drückt es manchmal schwer im Rücken,
(But sometimes it presses heavily on the back,)
Muss man sich tief nach unten bücken.
(One must bend down low.)
Beim Karten spielt's 'ne Farbe dar,
(In cards, it represents a suit,)
Und mancher trägt es Jahr für Jahr –
(And some carry it year after year –)
Als Last, als Mühsal, still und leis,
(As a burden, as hardship, quiet and low,)
Das Kreuz hat seinen festen Preis.

(The cross has its fixed price/cost.)

🧩 Who or what am I?

Ich kann ein Symbol des Glaubens sein,
(I can be a symbol of faith,)
doch auch bereiten Rückenschmerz und Pein.
(but also cause back pain and ache.)
Auf Karten bin ich eine Farb',
(On cards, I am a suit,)
und als ein X lieg' ich oft auf dem Grab.
(and as an X, I often lie on the grave.)

Was bin ich? / What am I?

Lösung/Solution: das Kreuz

✨ More Interesting Facts

• Etymology: The word "Kreuz" comes from the Latin word "crux" (genitive "crucis").
• Word Formations (Wortbildungen): There are many compound words with "Kreuz", e.g.: das Autobahnkreuz (motorway intersection), das Rote Kreuz (the Red Cross), die Kreuzfahrt (cruise), der Kreuzbandriss (ACL tear), kreuzweise (crosswise), kreuzfidel (very cheerful, merry as a grig), das Kreuzverhör (cross-examination).
• Place Names (Ortsnamen): Many places or mountains contain "Kreuz", e.g., Kreuzberg (in Berlin and other cities).
• Idiom "Kreuz und quer": Means haphazardly, all over the place, criss-cross.