das
Signal
🚦 What does "das Signal" mean?
The noun das Signal (neuter) refers to a sign or piece of information that is transmitted to trigger a specific reaction or to indicate something. It can be visual, acoustic, or electronic in nature.
- General: A sign that conveys information or instructions (e.g., a Lichtsignal - light signal, a Tonsignal - sound signal).
- Technology/Communication: A physical quantity (often voltage or current) that transmits information (e.g., a Funksignal - radio signal, a digitales Signal - digital signal).
- Figurative: An indication, a cue, or a starting sign for something (e.g., das Signal zum Aufbruch - the signal to leave).
🚨 This word only uses the article das. Mix-ups are unlikely.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-al → mostly neutral.
Exceptions: -aal nouns are always masculine.
📊 Grammar of "das Signal" in Detail
The word "Signal" is a neuter noun (Neutrum). Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Signal |
| Genitive | des | Signals |
| Dative | dem | Signal |
| Accusative | das | Signal |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Signale |
| Genitive | der | Signale |
| Dative | den | Signalen |
| Accusative | die | Signale |
Example Sentences 📝
- Das rote Signal bedeutet "Halt!".
(The red signal means "Stop!") - Der Empfänger verarbeitet die eingehenden Signale.
(The receiver processes the incoming signals.) - Wir warten auf das Signal des Lehrers, um zu beginnen.
(We are waiting for the teacher's signal to begin.) - Die Stärke des Funksignals war sehr schwach.
(The strength of the radio signal was very weak.)
💡 How to use "das Signal"?
"Das Signal" is a versatile word used in various contexts:
- In traffic: Ampelsignale (traffic light signals), Eisenbahnsignale (railway signals), Handsignale (hand signals) by police. Example: Achte auf die Signale! (Pay attention to the signals!)
- In technology: Audiosignale (audio signals), Videosignale (video signals), Funksignale (radio signals), elektrische Signale (electrical signals). Example: Das Gerät sendet ein digitales Signal. (The device sends a digital signal.)
- In communication: Body language (nonverbale Signale - non-verbal signals), agreed-upon signs. Example: Sein Nicken war das Signal zur Zustimmung. (His nod was the signal for agreement.)
- Figuratively: A sign for a change or a start. Example: Der erste warme Tag war das Signal für den Frühling. (The first warm day was the signal for spring.)
It is often used with verbs like geben (to give), senden (to send), empfangen (to receive), erkennen (to recognize), deuten (to interpret), verstehen (to understand).
🧠 Mnemonics for "das Signal"
Article Mnemonic: Think of "das Zeichen" (the sign), which is also neuter. Many German neuter nouns end in "-al" (das Material, das Ideal, das Areal), although there are exceptions. Imagine a neutral, technical Signal, perhaps a small light (das Lämpchen) flashing.
Meaning Mnemonic: A signal is a sign that gives information. They sound similar and share the same root. Think of a traffic signal controlling the flow.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "das Signal"
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Das Zeichen: (The sign) Very similar, often interchangeable (e.g., Verkehrszeichen - traffic sign).
- Der Hinweis: (The hint, clue, indication) More like information or a recommendation.
- Das Anzeichen: (The indication, sign, symptom) More like an indicator, often for something future or hidden.
- Der Impuls: (The impulse, pulse) More like a brief trigger (technical or psychological).
- Die Anzeige: (The display, indicator) Often visual on a screen.
- Der Wink: (The hint, nod, beckoning sign) More like a subtle gesture or suggestion.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Die Stille / Das Schweigen: (The silence) Absence of an acoustic signal.
- Das Rauschen: (The noise, static) Interference that can mask a signal (technical).
- Die Dunkelheit: (The darkness) Absence of a visual (light) signal.
- Die Unklarheit / Die Mehrdeutigkeit: (The ambiguity, vagueness) Absence of a clear signal or sign.
⚠️ Be careful: Words like "die Signatur" (the signature) sound similar but have a completely different meaning.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Tontechniker immer kalte Hände?
Weil er ständig mit schwachen Signalen arbeitet! 😄
(Why does the sound engineer always have cold hands?
Because he's constantly working with weak signals!) 😄
📜 A Short Poem about the Signal
Ein Lichtblitz hell, ein Ton erklingt,
Das Signal die Nachricht bringt.
Mal laut, mal leise, mal ganz klar,
Es zeigt uns an, was ist, was war.
Ein Startschuss fällt, ein Zug fährt ab,
Ein Nicken nur, ganz leis und knapp.
Ob Technik, Mensch, ob nah, ob fern,
Wir deuten jedes Signal gern.
(A bright flash of light, a sound rings out,
The signal brings the message about.
Sometimes loud, sometimes quiet, sometimes clear,
It shows us what is, what was here.)
(A starting gun fires, a train departs,
Just a nod, quiet and sharp.
Whether tech or human, near or far,
We gladly interpret every signal's star.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich habe keinen Mund, doch kann ich sprechen.
Ich habe keine Hände, doch kann ich Zeichen geben.
Ich kann rot, grün oder gelb leuchten, oder Töne senden weit.
Ich bringe Ordnung und vermeide Streit.
Was bin ich?
→ Das Signal
(I have no mouth, yet I can speak.
I have no hands, yet I can give signs.
I can shine red, green, or yellow, or send sounds far and wide.
I bring order and help avoid strife.)
(What am I?
→ The Signal)
ℹ️ More about "das Signal"
Word Compounds (Wortzusammensetzungen): The word "Signal" is part of many compound nouns:
- Startsignal: (Starting signal) Sign to begin.
- Notsignal: (Distress signal) Sign in an emergency situation.
- Warnsignal: (Warning signal) Sign that warns of danger.
- Lichtsignal: (Light signal) Visual signal using light (e.g., traffic light).
- Tonsignal: (Audio signal, tone signal) Acoustic signal.
- Funksignal: (Radio signal) Signal transmitted via radio waves.
Etymology: The word comes from the Latin signalis (belonging to a sign) or signum (sign).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Signal?
The word "Signal" exclusively uses the neuter article: das Signal. It refers to a sign or transmitted information that can be visual, acoustic, or technical in nature.