das
Reisen
🌍 What does "das Reisen" mean?
Das Reisen refers to the process or activity of traveling itself, i.e., being underway from one place to another, often over longer distances and for purposes of recreation, business, or education. It's a substantivized infinitive (from the verb reisen - to travel) and is always neuter (sächlich).
In contrast to die Reise (feminine), which denotes a specific trip or tour (e.g., "Meine Reise nach Italien war schön." - My trip to Italy was nice.), das Reisen refers to the general activity or concept of traveling (e.g., "Das Reisen erweitert den Horizont." - *Traveling broadens the horizon.*).
It is almost exclusively used in the singular.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Deverbal nouns → immer neutral.
These are nouns derived from verbs. They are also called Verbalsubstantive or Verbalnomen.
Deverbal nouns → immer neutral.
These are nouns derived from verbs. They are also called Verbalsubstantive or Verbalnomen.
📚 Grammar of "das Reisen" in Detail
Das Reisen is a substantivized infinitive and therefore neuter (sächlich). It usually only appears in the singular, as it describes the activity itself.
Declension Singular
| Case (Kasus) | Article | Noun | (English Meaning) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Reisen | (the traveling) |
| Genitive | des | Reisens | (of the traveling) |
| Dative | dem | Reisen | (to/for the traveling) |
| Akkusativ | das | Reisen | (the traveling) |
⚠️ Important: While the plural "die Reisen" exists, it refers to the feminine noun die Reise (a single trip/tour) and not to das Reisen (the activity).
Example Sentences
- Das Reisen ist meine große Leidenschaft. (Traveling is my great passion.)
- Trotz des Reisens in ferne Länder fühlt er sich manchmal einsam. (Despite traveling to distant countries, he sometimes feels lonely.)
- Ich widme meine Freizeit dem Reisen. (I dedicate my free time to traveling.)
- Sie liebt das Reisen mehr als alles andere. (She loves traveling more than anything else.)
🗺️ Contextual Usage: When to say "das Reisen"?
You use das Reisen when talking about the activity or concept of traveling in general:
General preferences/dislikes: "Das Reisen mit der Bahn ist entspannend." (*Traveling by train is relaxing.*) or "Das Reisen in überfüllten Bussen mag ich nicht." (*I don't like traveling in crowded buses.*)
Philosophical considerations: "Das Reisen bildet." (Traveling educates.) or "Das Reisen lehrt Toleranz." (Traveling teaches tolerance.)
As a hobby or activity: "Sein Hobby ist das Reisen." (His hobby is traveling.)
Difference from die Reise:
- Die Reise: Refers to a specific, individual tour or trip. Example: "Unsere Reise nach Spanien beginnt morgen." (*Our trip to Spain starts tomorrow.*)
- Das Reisen: Refers to the activity itself. Example: "Das Reisen in südliche Länder ist im Winter beliebt." (*Traveling to southern countries is popular in winter.*)
🧠 Mnemonics for "das Reisen"
Article Mnemonic (das): Think of activities ending in '-ing' in English being generalized concepts, like swimming or running. In German, these substantivized infinitives are often das: das Schwimmen, das Laufen, and similarly das Reisen. Just remember: the act of doing something often takes 'das'.
Meaning Mnemonic (Activity): The verb is reisen (to travel). When you talk about the act of traveling itself, you capitalize it and give it the article: das Reisen. It's like saying the traveling as a concept.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Das Unterwegssein: (being on the way/en route) - emphasizes not being in a fixed location.
- Das Herumkommen: (getting around) - emphasizes visiting many places.
- Die Fahrerei (colloquial, often slightly negative): (the driving around) - emphasizes the act of driving.
- Das Umherziehen: (wandering/roaming) - emphasizes nomadic travel.
Antonyms (opposites):
- Das Zuhausebleiben: (staying at home) - the act of not traveling.
- Die Sesshaftigkeit: (sedentariness) - the state of living permanently in one place.
- Die Ortsgebundenheit: (being bound to one place).
⚠️ Similar but different words:
😂 A little joke about Reisen
DE: Fragt der Pilot die Passagiere: "Gibt es einen Arzt an Bord?" Meldet sich ein Mann: "Ich bin Arzt!" Pilot: "Sehr gut! Können Sie mal ins Cockpit kommen? Mich interessiert Ihre Meinung zu diesem komischen Ausschlag an meinem Arm... das stört beim Reisen!"
EN: The pilot asks the passengers: "Is there a doctor on board?" A man raises his hand: "I'm a doctor!" Pilot: "Excellent! Could you come to the cockpit? I'd like your opinion on this weird rash on my arm... it's bothering me while traveling!"
📜 A Poem About Traveling
DE:
Das Reisen, welch ein Zauberwort,
trägt uns von hier an jenen Ort.
Lässt uns entdecken, staunen, sehen,
die Welt mit offnen Augen gehen.
Ob nah, ob fern, ob schnell, ob sacht,
das Reisen hat uns viel gebracht:
Erfahrung, Weite, neuen Mut,
ja, diese Tätigkeit tut gut!
EN:
Traveling, what a magic word,
Carries us forth, a place conferred.
Lets us discover, marvel, see,
The world with eyes open and free.
Be it near or far, swift or slight,
Traveling has brought much to light:
Experience, breadth, courage anew,
Yes, this activity feels good and true!
🤔 Little Riddle
DE:
Ich bin eine Tätigkeit, kein fester Plan,
beginne oft mit Kofferpacken dann.
Ich bring dich fort, lässt dich die Welt verstehen,
man sagt, durch mich kann Bildung schön entstehen.
Was bin ich?
Lösung: Das Reisen
EN:
I am an activity, not a fixed plan,
Often starting when you pack bags like a fan.
I take you away, help you understand the sphere,
They say through me, education can appear.
What am I?
Solution: Das Reisen (Traveling)
💡 Other Information
Word Formation:
Das Reisen is a substantivization (making a noun) of the verb reisen (to travel). This form is often used in German to refer to actions or processes as nouns (e.g., das Laufen - running/the running, das Essen - eating/the food, das Schlafen - sleeping/the sleep).
Compounds:
Although "das Reisen" itself is rarely used in direct compounds (people tend to use "Reise-"), it describes the core concept of many terms:
- Geschäftsreisen (business trips - plural of Geschäftsreise)
- Weltreisen (world trips - plural of Weltreise)
- Pauschalreisen (package tours - plural of Pauschalreise)
In these cases, the "Reise" part refers to the specific trip(s), not the general activity of "das Reisen".
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Reisen?
The activity or concept of traveling is used as a neuter noun: das Reisen. In this meaning, it does not have a plural. (Example: "Das Reisen bildet." - Traveling educates.). The feminine word die Reise, however, refers to a specific trip or tour and has the plural die Reisen.