das  Segel

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈzeːɡl/

⛵ What exactly is a 'Segel'?

Das Segel (neuter gender) refers to a large piece of cloth (often made of sturdy fabric like Segeltuch - canvas or sailcloth) used to catch the force of the wind to propel a watercraft (Segelboot - sailboat, Segelschiff - sailing ship) or, less commonly, a land vehicle (Strandsegler - land yacht).

It's the central element in sailing (das Segeln) and enables movement using wind power. The shape, size, and material of sails (die Segel - plural) can vary greatly depending on the type of vessel and its purpose.

⚠️ There is only this one meaning with the article das.

Grammar in Detail: das Segel

The noun "Segel" is neuter (sächlich).

Declension (Deklination)

Example Sentences (Beispielsätze)

1. Das große Segel fing den Wind gut ein. (The large sail caught the wind well.)
2. Die Farbe des Segels war weiß. (The color of the sail was white.)
3. Mit dem Segel konnten wir schnell fahren. (With the sail, we could travel fast.)
4. Wir hissten das Segel am Morgen. (We hoisted the sail in the morning.)
5. Alle Segel wurden bei starkem Wind eingeholt. (All sails were taken in during strong wind.)
6. Der Zustand der Segel war besorgniserregend. (The condition of the sails was worrying.)
7. Die Möwen saßen auf den Segeln. (The seagulls sat on the sails.)

💨 How to Use "Segel"?

The term das Segel is primarily used in the context of shipping and sailing (der Segelsport).

• Literal Meaning: Refers directly to the cloth that catches the wind. Example: Das Boot hat zwei Segel. (The boat has two sails.)
• Figurative Meaning: Can sometimes be used metaphorically, e.g., "die Segel streichen" (literally 'to strike the sails') means to give up or capitulate. Example: Nach langer Diskussion musste er die Segel streichen. (After a long discussion, he had to give up.)
• Idioms (Redewendungen): There are many idioms like "alle Segel setzen" (literally 'to set all sails'), meaning to make every possible effort, or "jemandem den Wind aus den Segeln nehmen" (literally 'to take the wind out of someone's sails'), meaning to thwart someone's plans or deflate their arguments.

Compared to Tuch (cloth) or Leinwand (canvas), Segel is specific to the purpose of harnessing wind for propulsion.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Segel'

For the article (das): Think of *das Sheet*. A sail is basically a large, specially shaped sheet. Many sheet-like or flat things in German are neuter (das Blatt - the sheet/leaf, das Tuch - the cloth), so remember das Segel.

For the meaning: Imagine the wind blowing into das big white thing (das Segel) and pushing das ship forward. Das Segel catches the wind.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

🚨 Be cautious with Plane (tarpaulin/tarp): A Plane is mostly used for covering or protecting, not primarily for wind propulsion.

😂 A Little Sailing Joke

German: Warum nehmen Piraten ihre Segel nie mit in die Bar? - Weil sie Angst haben, dass sie abstürzen, wenn sie zu viel Rum getrunken haben! 😉

English: Why do pirates never take their sails to the bar? - Because they're afraid they'll get three sheets to the wind! (A play on words: 'three sheets to the wind' means very drunk, and sails are 'sheets' in sailing terminology).

📜 Poem about the Sail

German:
Im Wind bauscht sich das Segel weit,
Trägt das Schiff durch Raum und Zeit.
Weißes Tuch am hohen Mast,
Nimmt die Böe ohne Hast.

Über Wellen, Schaum und Gischt,
Wenn der Wind das Meer auffrischt.
Das Segel tanzt im Sonnenlicht,
Ein schönes, kraftvolles Gesicht.

English Translation:
In wind, the sail billows wide,
Carries the ship through space and time.
White cloth on the tall mast,
Takes the gust without haste.

Over waves, foam, and spray,
When the wind freshens the sea.
The sail dances in the sunlight,
A beautiful, powerful sight (lit. face).

❓ Who am I? A Riddle

German:
Ich habe keinen Mund, doch fange ich den Wind.
Ich habe keinen Fuß, doch bewege ich geschwind.
Ich bin aus Tuch gemacht, am Mast häng' ich oft frei.
Ich bringe Schiffe vorwärts. Was bin ich? Rat' mal schnell herbei!

English Translation:
I have no mouth, yet I catch the wind.
I have no foot, yet I move swiftly.
I am made of cloth, often hanging freely on the mast.
I move ships forward. What am I? Guess quickly!

Solution: Das Segel (The sail)

💡 Interesting Facts about 'Segel'

• Compound Words (Wortzusammensetzungen): The word "Segel" is part of many compound nouns, such as das Segelboot (sailboat), der Segelsport (sailing sport), die Segelschule (sailing school), das Segeltuch (sailcloth), der Segelmacher (sailmaker).
• History (Geschichte): Sails have been used by humans for thousands of years to navigate waterways. The development of different sail types (e.g., square sail, lateen sail, Bermuda rig) was crucial in maritime history.
• Physics (Physik): The functioning of a sail is based on aerodynamic principles, similar to an airplane wing. It generates lift (propulsion) through the different air flow speeds on either side of the sail.