das  Trinkwasser

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈtʁɪŋkˌvasɐ/

💧 What exactly is Trinkwasser?

Das Trinkwasser refers to water that is suitable for human consumption, especially for drinking and preparing food. It must meet specific quality standards to be safe for health.

It's a compound noun formed from trinken (verb: to drink) and das Wasser (noun, neuter: water). Since the second part of the compound (the base word) is Wasser, which has the article das, the compound noun Trinkwasser also takes the article das.

⚠️ Although water is often considered uncountable, Trinkwasser can be used in the plural (die Trinkwässer) to refer to different types or sources of drinking water (e.g., verschiedene Trinkwässer aus unterschiedlichen Regionen - different drinking waters from various regions).

📚 Grammar of 'das Trinkwasser' in Detail

Das Trinkwasser is a noun of neuter gender (Neutrum).

Example Sentences:

1. In Deutschland ist das Trinkwasser von hoher Qualität.
   In Germany, the drinking water is of high quality.
2. Man sollte täglich ausreichend Trinkwasser zu sich nehmen.
   One should consume enough drinking water daily.
3. Der Zugang zu sauberem Trinkwasser ist ein Menschenrecht.
   Access to clean drinking water is a human right.
4. Bei der Wanderung füllten wir unsere Flaschen mit frischem Trinkwasser auf.
   During the hike, we refilled our bottles with fresh drinking water.
5. Das Labor analysierte verschiedene Trinkwässer (Plural) auf Schadstoffe.
   The laboratory analyzed different types of drinking water (plural) for pollutants.

🗣️ How to use 'Trinkwasser'?

Das Trinkwasser is used specifically to denote water that is safe for consumption. It differs from:

• Leitungswasser: Tap water. In many countries (like Germany), this is usually also drinking water, but it's not guaranteed everywhere in the world.
• Mineralwasser: Mineral water from underground sources with a specific mineral content. It is subject to different regulations than Trinkwasser.
• Tafelwasser: Table water, often a mix of drinking water, mineral water, salts, and carbon dioxide.
• Brauchwasser / Nutzwasser: Water used for industrial, agricultural, or cleaning purposes, but not suitable for drinking (e.g., toilet flushing).
• Abwasser: Wastewater, contaminated water that needs disposal.

In everyday life, people often just say "Wasser" when it's clear that drinking water is meant (e.g., "Möchtest du ein Glas Wasser?" - "Would you like a glass of water?"). The term Trinkwasser is emphasized when the quality or suitability for drinking is the main focus, e.g., in warnings, quality reports, or when travelling.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Think of the base word: it's das Wasser. Water that you can trinken (drink) stays neuter: das Trinkwasser.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you're thirsty and urgently need something to drink (trinken). What do you need? Safe water (Wasser). So: Trink-Wasser!

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

🚨 Caution: Not all water is Trinkwasser! Mineralwasser (mineral water) and Tafelwasser (table water) are drinkable, but legally and compositionally distinct from Trinkwasser (as defined by the Drinking Water Ordinance).

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat das Trinkwasser Streit mit dem Mineralwasser?

Weil das Mineralwasser immer so sprudelt vor Ideen und das Trinkwasser einfach nur klar und direkt ist! 😄

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Why did the drinking water argue with the mineral water?

Because the mineral water is always bubbling with ideas, and the drinking water is just clear and direct! 😄

📜 Poem about Drinking Water

Klar und rein, so sollst du sein,
Das Trinkwasser, fein und klein
Fließt aus dem Hahn, stillt unsern Durst,
Ist für Gesundheit allererst.
Kein Gold, kein Schatz auf dieser Welt
Ist so viel wert, wenn Wasser fehlt.
Drum ehren wir den kühlen Nass,
Das Lebenselixier, das.

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Clear and pure, you should be so,
Das Trinkwasser, gentle flow.
From the tap, it quenches thirst,
For health and life, it comes first.
No gold, no treasure in this sphere
Is worth as much when water's not near.
So let us honor the cool wet,
Life's elixir, don't forget, das.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich habe keine Farbe, keinen Geschmack,
Doch ohne mich gibt's keinen Tag.
Ich fließe still, ich sprudle laut,
Bin lebenswichtig, wohlvertraut.
Man nennt mich oft nach dem, was man tut,
Wenn Durst entsteht und braucht neuen Mut.

Was bin ich?

---

I have no color, have no taste,
But without me, life goes to waste.
I flow in silence, bubble loud,
Essential for the thirsty crowd.
My name relates to what you do,
When thirst arises, fresh and new.

What am I?

💡 Trivia and Composition

Word Composition:

Das Trinkwasser is a compound noun (ein Kompositum), composed of:

• The verb stem trink- (from trinken - to drink)
• The noun Wasser (das Wasser - water)

Quality Standards: In Germany, the Trinkwasserverordnung (TrinkwV - Drinking Water Ordinance) strictly regulates the quality of drinking water to protect public health. It sets limits for numerous substances.

Global Importance: Access to clean drinking water is a major global challenge and an important Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 6 of the United Nations).