das  Makro

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈmakʁo/

💡 What does 'das Makro' mean?

The word das Makro primarily has two meanings:

1. 💻 In computing: A sequence of commands or instructions that can be grouped under a single name (the Makro) and invoked. This is used to automate recurring tasks in software (e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, games). It's often called a macro in English.
2. 📸 In photography: Short form for Makrofotografie (macro photography) or a Makroobjektiv (macro lens). It refers to taking pictures of very small objects or details from a short distance, displaying them in an enlarged form.

It is a neuter noun and always uses the article das.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar of 'das Makro' in Detail

Das Makro is a noun of neuter gender (Neutrum). It is declined as follows:

Singular

Plural

📝 Example Sentences

• Informatik: Dieses Makro automatisiert das Einfügen der Kopfzeile. (This macro automates inserting the header.)
• Informatik: Ich habe ein Makro geschrieben, um die Daten zu formatieren. (I wrote a macro to format the data.)
• Fotografie: Mit meinem neuen Makro kann ich Insekten ganz nah fotografieren. (With my new macro (lens), I can photograph insects up close.)
• Fotografie: Für diese Aufnahme brauchst du ein spezielles Makro(objektiv). (For this shot, you need a special macro (lens).)

🗣️ How is 'das Makro' used?

The context clarifies which meaning of das Makro is intended:

• If you're talking about software, programming, automation, or efficiency on the computer, you mean the computing Makro. It's a tool for saving time.
• If the topic is photography, lenses, close-ups of small things (flowers, insects, etc.), you mean the photography Makro. Here, it often stands as a short form for das Makroobjektiv (macro lens) or the technique of Makrofotografie (macro photography).

⚠️ There's little risk of confusion as the fields of application are very different. Sometimes, in photography, people might specify Makroobjektiv to be more precise and avoid any misunderstanding.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Makro'

1. Article Mnemonic: Think of 'das' as 'that' neutral thing. That automated sequence on the computer is das Makro. That special lens is das Makro. It's a neutral tool or concept, hence das.
2. Meaning Mnemonic (Computing): MAke Keyboard Routines Obedient! – A Makro makes complex keyboard routines follow a simple command.
3. Meaning Mnemonic (Photography): MAke Kindred Really Oversized! – Using das Makro makes tiny things look oversized in pictures.

Remember: Whether code or critter – das Makro makes it visible or faster!

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but Different Terms

• Mikro: The opposite of Makro (from Greek mikros = small), e.g., Mikrofon (microphone), Mikroökonomie (microeconomics).
• Makroökonomie: Macroeconomics, a field of economics dealing with large-scale economic factors (not related to the Makro discussed here).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Fotograf sein Makroobjektiv zum Bäcker mitgenommen?
(Why did the photographer take his macro lens to the bakery?)

Um die kleinen Details auf den Krümeln einzufangen!
(To capture the small details on the crumbs!)

✍️ Poem about 'das Makro'

Das Makro, klug und fein,
(The macro, clever and fine,)
Spart am PC viel Zeit uns ein.
(Saves us much time on the PC.)
Ein Klick, die Arbeit ist getan,
(One click, the work is done,)
So fängt der Feierabend an.
(Thus begins the end of the workday.)

Auch vor der Linse, wunderbar,
(Also before the lens, wonderful,)
Macht das Makro Kleines klar.
(The macro makes small things clear.)
Die Biene auf der Blüte zart,
(The bee on the tender blossom,)
Ganz groß gezeigt, auf seine Art.
(Shown very large, in its own way.)

❓ Riddle

Ich fasse viele Schritte klein,
(I condense many small steps,)
lass Arbeit schnell erledigt sein.
(let work be done quickly.)
Am Computer bin ich oft zu Haus,
(On the computer, I'm often at home,)
doch seh' auch durch ein Objektiv hinaus,
(but I also look out through a lens,)
um Winziges ganz groß zu zeigen.
(to show tiny things very large.)

Was bin ich? / What am I?
(Answer: das Makro)

🌐 Other Information

Word Origin: The term "Makro" derives from the Greek word μακρός (makrós), meaning "large", "long", or "wide". This is reflected in both main meanings:

• Computing: A 'large' instruction that summarizes many small steps.
• Photography: A 'large' depiction of something small.

Compounds (Wortzusammensetzungen): The word is often part of compound nouns, such as Makrofunktion (macro function), Makrobefehl (macro command) in computing, or Makroobjektiv (macro lens), Makrofotografie (macro photography) in photography.