das / der  Radar

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʁaːdaʁ/

📡 What exactly is a Radar?

The word Radar is an acronym from English: Radio Detection and Ranging. It describes a system for locating objects and measuring their distance using radio waves.

In German, there are two possible articles, although one is much more common:

• das Radar (neuter): This is the most frequent and standard German form. It refers to the technical device or system itself. Example: Das Radar am Flughafen überwacht den Luftraum. (The radar at the airport monitors the airspace.)
• der Radar (masculine): This form is rarer and often considered colloquial or regional (especially in Southern Germany/Austria). ⚠️ Sometimes 'der Radar' might refer to the Radarbeobachter (the person operating the radar), but this is very uncommon; usually, der Radarlotse or der Radarbeobachter would be used. In technical contexts, das Radar is strongly preferred.

🚨 Using 'der Radar' for the device can be perceived as incorrect, even though it occurs.

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Das or Der Radar?

The declension depends on the chosen gender. Here are the tables for both articles, with das Radar being the standard form.

Declension: das Radar (neuter) - Standard

Note: The plural 'Radare' is more common than 'Radars'.

Declension: der Radar (masculine) - Colloquial/Regional/Person

Example Sentences 📝

1. Das Radar hat ein unbekanntes Flugobjekt erfasst. (The radar detected an unidentified flying object.)
2. Die Polizei verwendet mobiles Radar zur Geschwindigkeitskontrolle. (The police use mobile radar for speed checks.)
3. Auf dem Schiff fiel das Radar aus. (The radar on the ship failed.)
4. Colloquial/Regional: Hast du den Radar gesehen? (Did you see the radar? - referring to the device, non-standard)

💬 Real-World Use: When do you need Radar?

Das Radar (standard form) is used in many fields:

• ✈️ Aviation: For monitoring airspace, collision avoidance, and navigation.
• 🚢 Shipping: For detecting other ships, obstacles, and coastlines, especially in poor visibility.
• 🌦️ Meteorology: Wetterradar (weather radar / precipitation radar) to detect rain, snow, and storms.
• 🚓 Traffic Enforcement: Radargeräte (colloquially often "die Radarfalle" or "der Blitzer" - speed trap/camera) measure vehicle speeds.
• 🛡️ Military: For surveillance, target tracking, and early warning.

Context: In technical, official, and written contexts, das Radar is used almost exclusively. The form der Radar tends to appear more in spoken, informal language but can be perceived as imprecise. When in doubt, always use das Radar!

Differentiation: Radar is based on radio waves. Sonar, on the other hand, uses sound waves (mainly underwater).

🧠 Memory Aids

Remembering the Article

Think of 'das Gerät' (the device) or 'das System' (the system). Technology is often neuter (das) in German. "Das is quite the device, das RAdar!"

Remembering the Meaning

The word itself is the best mnemonic: Radio Detection and Ranging. It tells you exactly what it does: Detecting things and Ranging (measuring distance) using Radio waves.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

Synonyms (for the system/device)

• Funkmessgerät: (Radio measuring device) A descriptive, somewhat older term.
• Ortungsgerät: (Locating device) A more general term for devices that determine position. Radar is a specific type.
• Radargerät: (Radar device) Clarifies that it's a single device.

Antonyms (Concepts)

• Tarnung / Stealth: Techniques to avoid or reduce detection by radar.
• Unsichtbarkeit / Invisibility: Radar makes things 'visible' that might otherwise be unseen.

Similar Terms (Caution!)

• Sonar: Works similarly but uses sound waves instead of radio waves (often underwater).
• Lidar: Uses laser light instead of radio waves for distance measurement.
• Radio: Usually refers to broadcasting, not location technology.

😂 A Little Radar Joke

Warum nehmen Polizisten immer ein Maßband mit zur Radarkontrolle?

Damit sie messen können, wie lange die Gesichter der Fahrer werden! 😄

Translation:

Why do police officers always take a tape measure to the radar speed check?

So they can measure how long the drivers' faces get! (A play on 'lange Gesichter machen' - to pull a long face / look disappointed)

📜 Radar in Verse

Ein unsichtbarer Strahl, so klar,
gesendet von dem Radar, wunderbar.
Er fliegt hinaus durch Nacht und Tag,
sucht, was sich fern verbergen mag.

Ein Echo kommt zurück geschwind,
zeigt Flugzeug, Schiff und auch den Wind.
Das Radar wacht, es misst, es sieht,
was menschlich Auge übersieht.

Translation:

An invisible beam, so clear,
sent by the radar, wonderfully dear.
It flies out through night and day,
seeking what's hidden far away.

An echo quickly comes back near,
shows plane, and ship, and wind, it's clear.
The radar watches, measures, sees,
what human eyes miss with such ease.

❓ Who am I? A Riddle

Ich sende Wellen aus, doch hörst du keinen Ton.
Ich sehe Schiffe, Flugzeuge, Regen - kennst du mich schon?
Die Polizei nutzt mich, wenn Raser fahren zu schnell.
Ich arbeite mit Funk, bin technisch und hell.

Ob 'das' oder 'der', man nennt mich manchmal so,
doch meine Technik macht Piloten froh.

Wer bin ich?

Lösung: Das Radar

Translation:

I send out waves, but you hear no sound.
I see ships, planes, rain - am I known all around?
The police use me when speeders drive too fast.
I work with radio, I'm technical, built to last.

Whether 'das' or 'der', sometimes I'm called that way,
But my technology makes pilots happy today.

Who am I?

Solution: Radar (das Radar)

💡 More Trivia about Radar

• Origin: As mentioned, "Radar" is an English acronym coined during World War II, although the underlying technology was developed earlier.
• Dopplerradar: A specific type of radar that can measure not only distance but also the velocity of objects relative to the radar (Doppler effect). Used, for example, in weather radar and police speed guns.
• Radarfalle: Colloquial German term for a speed trap using radar technology.