das  Symbol

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/zʏmˈboːl/

🧐 What does "das Symbol" mean?

Das Symbol is a German noun (neuter gender) meaning symbol, sign, or emblem. It represents something else, often an abstract concept, an idea, or a state. It's used to illustrate or communicate a deeper meaning.

Examples:

• Die weiße Taube ist ein Symbol für den Frieden. (The white dove is a symbol for peace.)
• Das Herz ❤️ ist ein universelles Symbol für die Liebe. (The heart ❤️ is a universal symbol for love.)
• Mathematische Zeichen wie '+' oder '∞' sind ebenfalls Symbole. (Mathematical signs like '+' or '∞' are also symbols.)

It derives from the Greek word sýmbolon (token, mark). The word always takes the neuter article das.

📝 Grammar of "das Symbol" in Detail

"Symbol" is a noun with the neuter article das. Its declension follows the regular pattern for neuter nouns in German.

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

💡 Example Sentences

1. Das Kreuz ist ein wichtiges Symbol im Christentum.
   (The cross is an important symbol in Christianity.)
2. Auf der Karte sind verschiedene Symbole zur Erklärung eingezeichnet.
   (Various symbols are drawn on the map for explanation.)
3. Er schenkte ihr eine Rose als Symbol seiner Zuneigung.
   (He gave her a rose as a symbol of his affection.)
4. Die Bedeutung mancher alter Symbole ist heute unklar.
   (The meaning of some old symbols is unclear today.)
5. Dieses Logo wurde als Symbol für Innovation entworfen.
   (This logo was designed as a symbol for innovation.)

🤔 How is "das Symbol" used?

"Das Symbol" is used to refer to a sign or image that carries a figurative meaning. It's a common word across many fields:

• Art and Culture: To describe motifs in paintings, literature, or films (e.g., das Symbol der Vergänglichkeit - the symbol of transience).
• Religion and Mythology: Religious signs like the cross or the Star of David are Symbole.
• Science and Technology: Mathematical, chemical, or physical signs (e.g., H₂O ist das chemische Symbol für Wasser - H₂O is the chemical symbol for water).
• Everyday Communication: Emoticons or pictograms (e.g., ein Warnsymbol ⚠️ - a warning symbol).
• Society: Statussymbole (status symbols), Markensymbole (brand symbols).

Distinction from similar words:

• Das Zeichen: Often more concrete, a mark or sign (e.g., Verkehrszeichen - traffic sign, Satzzeichen - punctuation mark). A Symbol is always a type of Zeichen, but not every Zeichen is a Symbol (as it might lack a figurative meaning).
• Das Sinnbild: Very similar to Symbol, but often emphasizes the allegorical or deeper spiritual meaning more strongly. Sometimes used interchangeably.
• Das Emblem: A specific, often official or representative symbol, e.g., for an organization or country.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Symbol"

1. For the article: Many abstract concepts or words borrowed from foreign languages are neuter (*das*) in German. Think of: das Konzept (*the concept*), das Thema (*the theme*), das Problem (*the problem*), das System (*the system*) – and also das Symbol. It represents an abstract thing -> das.
2. For the meaning: Imagine a **sim**ple drawing of a heart ❤️. It's simple, but it stands **bol**dly for something big – it's a sym**bol**. Or: A **sym**phony can **bol**dly **symbol**ize feelings.

Remember: Abstract things that represent something are often 'das' – like das Symbol.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar sounding words:

• Die Sympathie: sympathy, liking (sounds similar, but has a completely different meaning).

😄 A Little Joke

German: Warum sind mathematische Symbole so schüchtern? Weil sie sich nie trauen, direkt zu sagen, was sie meinen – sie brauchen immer eine Erklärung! 😉

English: Why are mathematical symbols so shy? Because they never dare to say directly what they mean – they always need an explanation! 😉

📜 Poem about Symbols

German:
Ein Kreis, ein Strich, ein kleines Ding,
das Symbol, das Botschaft bring'.
Für Liebe oft ein Herz erglüht, ❤️
Für Frieden eine Taube blüht. 🕊️

Es spricht, wo Worte leise sind,
Verstanden oft von jedem Kind.
Ein Bild, das mehr als tausend spricht,
Ein Fenster auf ein fernes Licht.

English Translation:
A circle, a line, a little thing,
The symbol that a message brings.
For love, a heart often glows bright, ❤️
For peace, a dove blooms in the light. 🕊️

It speaks where words are soft and low,
Understood often by children, you know.
A picture saying more than thousands could,
A window onto distant good.

🧩 Riddle

German:
Ich bin kein Ding, doch steh' für eins.
Mal bin ich groß, mal bin ich kleins.
Ich zeige Frieden, Liebe, Macht,
Hab manchen schon zum Denken bracht'.
Mathematik braucht mich genau,
Auch auf dem Bildschirm bin ich schlau. ✨
Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I am no thing, but stand for one.
Sometimes I'm large, sometimes weigh none (metaphor for small).
I show peace, love, power's might,
Have made many think day and night.
Mathematics needs me precisely,
On screens too, I appear wisely. ✨
What am I?

(Solution: das Symbol / the symbol)

💡 Other Information

Word Origin (Etymology)

The word "Symbol" comes from the Ancient Greek word σύμβολον (sýmbolon), which originally meant "tally", "token", "mark of identification", or "contract". It was composed of syn- ("together") and bállein ("to throw") – thus something "thrown together" or "fitted together" that served as a recognition token when the parts matched.

Compound Words (Komposita)

"Symbol" forms part of many compound words in German:

• Das Warnsymbol: Warning symbol (e.g., ☣️, ☢️).
• Das Statussymbol: Status symbol (an item representing social status, e.g., an expensive car).
• Das Markensymbol: Brand symbol (the logo or sign of a brand, e.g., the Nike swoosh).
• Die Symbolik: Symbolism (the use of symbols or their meaning).
• Symbolisch (adjective): symbolic, symbolical.