das  Lot

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/loːt/

📖 What exactly is "das Lot"?

The German word das Lot (noun, neuter) has several meanings:

• Plumb bob / Plumb line: 🛠️ A tool primarily used in construction and crafts. It consists of a weight (often made of lead or brass) hanging from a string. It's used to determine exact vertical lines (die Lotrichtung) or to measure depths (loten). Example: Der Maurer prüft mit dem Lot, ob die Wand gerade ist. (The mason checks with the plumb bob if the wall is straight.)
• Solder: 땜납 A metal alloy used in soldering to join metallic components. It melts at a relatively low temperature. Example: Für die Reparatur der Platine brauche ich feines Lot. (For repairing the circuit board, I need fine solder.)
• Old unit of weight: ⚖️ A historical unit of mass common before the introduction of the metric system. One Lot corresponded to about 1/30 or 1/32 of a Pfund (pound), approximately 15-17 grams. This meaning is rare today and mostly relevant in historical contexts. Example: Das Rezept verlangte zwei Lot Gewürze. (The recipe called for two 'Lot' of spices.)

🚨 Attention: Do not confuse with das Los (fate, lottery ticket) or the verb loten (to sound out, to measure depth).

🧐 Grammar of "das Lot" in Detail

Das Lot is a noun of neuter gender (Neutrum). Its declension follows the pattern of strong nouns.

Example Sentences

1. Der Zimmermann benutzte das Lot, um den Pfosten senkrecht auszurichten.
   (The carpenter used the plumb bob to align the post vertically.) [Meaning: plumb bob]
2. Ohne Lot und Lötkolben kann ich die Drähte nicht verbinden.
   (Without solder and a soldering iron, I cannot connect the wires.) [Meaning: solder]
3. Er ließ das Lot ins Wasser hinab, um die Tiefe zu messen.
   (He lowered the plumb bob into the water to measure the depth.) [Meaning: plumb bob for depth measurement]
4. Früher wog man Silber in Loten.
   (In the past, silver was weighed in 'Lot' units.) [Meaning: unit of weight]

💬 How is "das Lot" used?

• Plumb bob: Often used in fixed phrases like "etwas ins Lot bringen" (to bring something into alignment, to sort something out) or "aus dem Lot geraten" (to get out of kilter, to become disordered). Primarily in the context of construction, crafts, surveying.
• Solder: Technical language in electronics, electrical engineering, metalworking, jewelry making. One talks about "Lot auftragen" (to apply solder), "mit Lot verbinden" (to connect with solder).
• Unit of weight: Only found in historical texts, old recipes, or idioms ("kein Lot besser sein" - obsolete for "to be no better").

In everyday language, the meaning "plumb bob" is most common, especially in its figurative sense ("Die Situation ist wieder im Lot." - The situation is back on track/in order.). The meaning "solder" is more specific to technical fields.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Lot"

Article Mnemonic: Think of das as the neuter article for tools or materials. Das Senklot hangs neutrally downwards. Das Lötzinn is just material. Neutral things often take "das".

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a worker letting das LOooT (pronounced slowly) down on a string (plumb bob). Or think how hot (sounds like Lot) das Lot needs to be to melt (solder).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Das Los: fate, destiny, lottery ticket
• Löten (verb): The act of soldering.
• Loten (verb): To measure depth (often with a plumb bob).

😄 A Little Joke

Der Meister fragt den Lehrling: "Hast du die Wand mit dem Lot geprüft?"
Sagt der Lehrling: "Nein, Meister, ich hab's mit dem Auge gemacht. Ich dachte, Blei im Auge ist ungesund!"

Translation:

The master asks the apprentice: "Did you check the wall with the plumb bob (das Lot)?"
The apprentice replies: "No, master, I did it by eye. I thought lead (Blei, component of old plummets) in the eye was unhealthy!" (A pun: 'Lot' sounds like lead/plumb bob, and 'Auge' means eye)

✒️ Poem about "das Lot"

Das Lot, so schlicht, ein Gewicht an der Schnur,
Zeigt senkrecht die Richtung, ganz ohne Allur'.
Der Maurer vertraut ihm, die Wand wird ganz grad,
Ein Helfer im Handwerk, auf sicherem Pfad.

Ein anderes Lot, heiß und fließend im Nu,
Verbindet Metalle, gibt Drähten die Ruh'.
In Technik und Funk, da schafft es Kontakt,
Zwei Bedeutungen klar, in einem Wort verpackt.

Translation:

The plumb bob, so simple, a weight on a string,
Shows the vertical way, without any flattering thing.
The mason relies on it, the wall stands up straight,
A helper in craft, on a trustworthy gait.

Another 'Lot', hot and flowing anew,
Connects metals, gives wires their due.
In tech and in radio, it makes the contact,
Two meanings made clear, in one word compact.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich hänge an der Schnur und zeige nach unten grad,
Oder ich schmelze heiß auf einer Lötplatine im Draht.
Ich maß Gewicht in alter Zeit.
Was bin ich wohl, sag an, bist du bereit?

Translation:

I hang on a string and point straight down,
Or I melt when hot on a circuit board in town.
I measured weight in times of old.
What am I, tell me, be bold?

(Solution: das Lot)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

Etymology: The word "Lot" meaning plumb bob comes from Old High German "lōt" and is likely related to lead (Blei in German, Latin "plumbum", hence English "plumb bob"). The meaning "solder" developed later due to the material similarity (lead is often a component of solder). The unit of weight probably also derives from the material.

Idioms:

• Im Lot sein / Etwas ins Lot bringen: To be in order / To put something in order, to straighten something out.
• Aus dem Lot geraten: To get out of kilter, to become disordered.