das  Meerwasser

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈmeːɐ̯ˌvasɐ/

🌊 What does Meerwasser mean?

Das Meerwasser translates to seawater or ocean water. It refers to the saltwater found in the world's seas and oceans. It's a compound noun formed from das Meer (the sea) and das Wasser (the water).

Since it's a specific type of water, and the base word Wasser is neuter (das Wasser), Meerwasser is also neuter (das Meerwasser).

There is only this one meaning and its corresponding article das. Mix-ups are unlikely. 💧🧂

🧐 Grammar of Meerwasser in Detail

Das Meerwasser is a noun of neuter gender (Neutrum). It is generally used only in the singular because it refers to an uncountable substance.

📝 Example Sentences

• Das Meerwasser ist zu salzig zum Trinken. (The seawater is too salty to drink.)
• Nach dem Schwimmen klebte das Meerwasser auf meiner Haut. (After swimming, the seawater stuck to my skin.)
• Die Analyse des Meerwassers ergab eine hohe Konzentration an Mineralien. (The analysis of the seawater revealed a high concentration of minerals.)
• Wir pumpten Meerwasser in das Aquarium. (We pumped seawater into the aquarium.)

💡 How to use Meerwasser?

Das Meerwasser is used specifically to refer to water from the sea, as opposed to Süßwasser (freshwater from rivers, lakes) or Trinkwasser (drinking water).

• Contexts: Beach holidays 🏖️, shipping 🚢, marine biology 🐠, geography 🌍, chemistry (salinity) 🧪, desalination plants.
• Distinction: While Salzwasser (saltwater) is a more general term for any water with salt content (including, e.g., salt lakes), Meerwasser specifically refers to the water of oceans and seas. However, in everyday language, the terms are often used interchangeably when the context is clear (e.g., at the beach).
• Figurative use: The term is rarely used figuratively.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: The base word is das Wasser (the water). Whether it's river water, lake water, or Meerwasser (seawater), it remains das Wasser.

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of the vast Meer (sea) and the salty Wasser (water within it – together they make das Meerwasser (seawater).

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Note: Salzwasser isn't always a perfect synonym, as it can also refer to water from salt lakes or artificially created saltwater.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der kleine Fisch seine Mutter: "Mama, warum schmeckt das Meerwasser eigentlich salzig?"

Antwortet die Mutter: "Na, mein Kleiner, bei so vielen Heringen, die hier rumschwimmen, muss man doch Pökeln!" 🐟🧂

Translation:

The little fish asks his mother: "Mom, why does the seawater taste salty?"

The mother replies: "Well, little one, with so many herrings swimming around here, you have to pickle them!" (Pökeln means 'to pickle' or 'to cure with salt').

📜 Poem about Meerwasser

Das Meerwasser, tief und weit,
Voll Salz und alter Zeit.
Es trägt die Schiffe, groß und klein,
Und spiegelt hell den Sonnenschein.
Die Welle rauscht ans Uferland,
Ein nasser Gruß an Sand und Strand.

Translation:

The seawater, deep and wide,
Full of salt and ancient tide.
It carries ships, both large and small,
And brightly mirrors sunshine's call.
The wave rushes to the shore,
A wet salute to sand and more.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich fülle Ozeane, groß und breit,
bin voller Salz zu jeder Zeit.
Trinken kannst du mich nicht pur,
wer bin ich, sag's mir auf die Schnur?

Translation:

I fill oceans, vast and wide,
am full of salt at any tide.
You cannot drink me pure, it's true,
who am I, tell me, haven't you a clue?

Solution: Das Meerwasser (Seawater)

💡 Other Information

Word Composition: Das Meerwasser is a compound noun (Kompositum) made up of:

• das Meer (noun): The sea / ocean.
• das Wasser (noun): The water (the chemical compound H₂O).

Trivia: The average salinity of seawater is about 3.5%. This means that one liter of seawater contains approximately 35 grams of dissolved salts. This salinity varies depending on the sea and depth.