das
Leitungswasser
💧 What exactly is Leitungswasser?
Das Leitungswasser means tap water. It refers to water that is transported via a network of pipes (Leitungen) directly into households, buildings, or other points of use. It typically comes from public waterworks that treat ground or surface water to ensure drinking water quality (Trinkwasserqualität).
In German-speaking countries, Leitungswasser is generally of high quality and safe to drink directly from the tap. It's used for various purposes, such as drinking (trinken), cooking (kochen), washing (waschen), and cleaning (reinigen).
It has only one article: das. It is a neuter noun.
📐 Grammar under the Microscope: das Leitungswasser
Das Leitungswasser is a noun of the neuter gender (Neutrum). It is mostly used in the singular because it's an uncountable substance. A plural form ("die Leitungswässer") theoretically exists but is extremely rare. It might be used to describe different types of tap water (e.g., from different sources), but it's uncommon in everyday language.
Declension (Singular)
| Case | Article | Noun | Translation Hint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Leitungswasser | the tap water (subject) |
| Genitive | des | Leitungswassers | of the tap water |
| Dative | dem | Leitungswasser | to/for the tap water |
| Akkusativ | das | Leitungswasser | the tap water (object) |
Example Sentences
- Kann ich hier bitte ein Glas Leitungswasser haben?
(Can I please have a glass of tap water here?) - Die Qualität des deutschen Leitungswassers ist sehr gut.
(The quality of German tap water is very good.) - Zum Kochen verwende ich meistens einfaches Leitungswasser.
(For cooking, I mostly use simple tap water.) - Der Geschmack des Leitungswassers variiert je nach Region leicht.
(The taste of the tap water varies slightly depending on the region.)
💡 How to Use Leitungswasser?
Das Leitungswasser is an everyday term. Here are typical contexts:
- Drinking: In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, it's common to drink Leitungswasser directly from the tap. In restaurants, you can often ask for "ein Glas Leitungswasser". Sometimes it's free, sometimes there's a small charge.
- Cooking & Preparation: It's the standard choice for boiling pasta, rice, vegetables, or making tea and coffee.
- Hygiene & Cleaning: Used for showering, bathing, washing hands, cleaning, for the washing machine, etc.
- Gardening: For watering plants (Pflanzen gießen).
Distinction: It differs from Mineralwasser (mineral water) or Quellwasser (spring water), which are often sold in bottles (Flaschen) and have specific mineral contents or originate from particular sources. Leitungswasser is the generic term for water from the public supply system.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Think of das Wasser (the water). Leitungswasser is a specific type of water, and both share the article das. The water (das Wasser) from the pipe (die Leitung) is das Leitungswasser.
Meaning Mnemonic: The word is composed of Leitung (pipe, conduit, line) and Wasser (water). So it logically means: water that flows through pipes.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Kranwasser: (Literally 'crane water', meaning tap water) Very common synonym, emphasizing origin from the tap (Wasserhahn or Kran).
- Trinkwasser: (Drinking water) A broader term for water suitable for drinking. Leitungswasser in Germany is Trinkwasser, but not all Trinkwasser is Leitungswasser (e.g., bottled mineral water).
- Hahnenwasser: (Tap water) Standard German term used in Switzerland for Leitungswasser.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- Mineralwasser: (Mineral water) Water with natural or added minerals, usually bottled.
- Flaschenwasser: (Bottled water) General term for water sold in bottles (can be spring water, mineral water, table water).
- Quellwasser: (Spring water) Water from a specific spring, often sold in bottles.
- Destilliertes Wasser: (Distilled water) Water purified by distillation, removing salts and minerals (not recommended for drinking).
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Ober: "Möchten Sie stilles Wasser oder mit Kohlensäure?"
Gast: "Egal, Hauptsache aus der Leitung und kostenlos!"
Waiter asks: "Would you like still or sparkling water?"
Guest: "Doesn't matter, as long as it's from the tap and free!"
📜 Poem about Leitungswasser
Aus dem Hahn, so klar und rein,
fließt das Leitungswasser fein.
Zum Trinken, Kochen, Waschen gut,
spart Geld und gibt uns frischen Mut.
Kein Schleppen schwerer Kisten mehr,
es kommt bequem zu uns daher!
From the tap, so clear and pure,
flows the fine tap water, sure.
Good for drinking, cooking, washing needs,
saves money and plants fresh seeds (of courage).
No more hauling heavy crates around,
it conveniently to us is bound!
❓ Riddle Time
Ich fließe durch Rohre, tagaus, tagein,
bin meistens klar und wunderbar rein.
Du drehst nur am Hahn, schon bin ich zur Stell',
zum Trinken und Kochen, erfrischend und schnell.
Was bin ich?
I flow through pipes, day out, day in,
I'm mostly clear and wonderfully clean within.
You just turn the tap, I'm there right away,
For drinking and cooking, refreshing and quick, hooray!
What am I?
Solution: das Leitungswasser (tap water)
✨ Other Information
Word Composition: Das Leitungswasser is a compound noun (Kompositum), composed of:
Quality in Germany: Leitungswasser is one of the most strictly controlled foodstuffs in Germany. The Drinking Water Ordinance (Trinkwasserverordnung) sets strict limits for pollutants, which are checked regularly.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Leitungswasser?
The correct article for Leitungswasser is always das. It is a neuter noun derived from die Leitung (pipe) and das Wasser (water). It is typically uncountable and used in the singular.
