das  Leck

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/lɛk/

💧 What exactly is a "Leck"?

The German noun das Leck (neuter) refers to a leak, a hole, or a crack through which a liquid or gas can unintentionally escape or enter.

Typical examples include:

• Ein Leck im Schiffsrumpf 🚢 (A leak in the ship's hull)
• Ein Leck in einer Wasserleitung 💧 (A leak in a water pipe)
• Ein Leck in einem Reifen 💨 (A leak in a tire)
• Ein Leck im Dach 🏠 (A leak in the roof)

So, it's an opening that isn't supposed to be there and often leads to problems or damage. ⚠️ Be careful: Don't confuse it with the verb "lecken" (to lick with the tongue) or the colloquial exclamation "Leck mich!" (colloquial/vulgar 'bite me' or similar).

🧐 Grammar of "das Leck" in Detail

The noun "Leck" is neuter (sächlich) and follows strong declension.

Example Sentences

1. Das Schiff sank wegen eines großen Lecks im Rumpf. (The ship sank because of a large leak in the hull.)
2. Wir müssen das Leck in der Wasserleitung schnell finden und reparieren. (We need to quickly find and repair the leak in the water pipe.)
3. Der Fahrradreifen hat ein kleines Leck und verliert Luft. (The bicycle tire has a small leak and is losing air.)
4. Nach dem Sturm entdeckten wir ein Leck im Dach. (After the storm, we discovered a leak in the roof.)
5. Die Feuerwehr dichtete das Leck im Öltank provisorisch ab. (The fire department temporarily sealed the leak in the oil tank.)

🗣️ How to Use "das Leck"?

"Das Leck" is used to describe an unwanted opening through which something (usually liquids or gases) escapes or enters.

Typical Collocations (Word Combinations):

• ein Leck haben: Das Boot hat ein Leck. (The boat has a leak.)
• ein Leck schlagen: Der Eisberg schlug ein Leck in die Titanic. (The iceberg struck a leak into the Titanic / caused a leak.)
• ein Leck entdecken/finden: Der Klempner fand das Leck schnell. (The plumber found the leak quickly.)
• ein Leck abdichten/stopfen/schließen: Wir müssen das Leck provisorisch stopfen. (We have to plug the leak temporarily.)
• leck sein: Die Leitung ist leck. (Adjectival use, meaning leaky)
• leck schlagen/werden: Das Fass ist leck geschlagen. (The barrel has sprung a leak / become leaky.)

It is often used in the context of repairs, shipwrecks (Havarien), burst pipes, or leaky containers.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Leck"

1. Article Mnemonic: Think of "das Loch" (the hole). A "Leck" is often a hole, and "Loch" is also neuter (das Loch). So: The hole is das Leck. Or, think of something neutral like 'the thing' that's leaking - 'das Ding' is neuter.
2. Meaning Mnemonic: The German word "Leck" sounds very similar to the English word "leak," which has the exact same meaning. If something is leck (leaky), it has a Leck.

Imagine water dripping from a small hole, making a sound like "leck, leck, leck". Thas is das Leck! (The 's' in 'das' matching the 's' sound maybe?)

🔄 Similar and Opposite Words

⚠️ Caution: Do not confuse with "der Lack" (the varnish/paint/lacquer).

😂 A Little Joke about the Leak

German: Fragt der Kapitän den Matrosen: "Gibt es ein Leck im Schiff?" Sagt der Matrose: "Nein, Kapitän, nur eins im Wasser!"

English: The captain asks the sailor: "Is there a leak in the ship?" The sailor replies: "No, Captain, only one in the water!"

📜 A Poem about the Leak

German:
Ein Tropfen fällt, ganz leis und sacht,
hat sich durchs Rohr den Weg gemacht.
Ein kleines Leck, kaum zu erspähn,
lässt Wasser durch die Leitung gehn.
Es tropft und tropft, die ganze Nacht,
das hat uns Sorgen nur gebracht.
Drum schnell gesucht, das Loch, das Nass,
das Leck, es macht uns keinen Spaß!

English Translation:
A drop falls, softly and gently,
has made its way through the pipe.
A small leak, hard to spot,
lets water pass through the line.
It drips and drips, all through the night,
it only brought us worries.
So quickly sought, the hole, the wet,
the leak, it brings us no fun!

🤔 A Little Riddle

German:
Ich bin ein Loch, doch nicht gewollt,
durch mich oft Nässe oder Kälte rollt.
Im Schiff, im Rohr, im Autoreifen,
muss man mich schnellstens oft ergreifen,
und stopfen zu, sonst gibt's Malheur.
Was bin ich nur, sag's mir, bitte sehr!

English Translation:
I am a hole, but unintended,
through me often wetness or cold is extended.
In ship, in pipe, in car tire's round,
you must quickly grasp me, when I'm found,
and plug me up, or there'll be distress.
What am I, tell me now, please guess!

Solution: das Leck (the leak)

✨ Other Interesting Info

Word Composition and Relatives:

• lecken (verb): means "to leak", e.g., Das Fass leckt. (The barrel leaks.)
• leck (adjective): means "leaky", e.g., Das Boot ist leck. (The boat is leaky.)
• leckschlagen (verb): to spring a leak / cause a leak, e.g., Das Schiff ist leckgeschlagen. (The ship has sprung a leak.)
• das Datenleck: (Figurative) A data leak/breach - where data flows out illicitly.
• das Lecksuchgerät: A leak detector device.

The word "Leck" comes from the Low German word "lek" meaning leaky.