das /
der
Viertel
What does "Viertel" mean? 🤔
The word Viertel can have different meanings depending on its article:
das Viertel (neuter)
- Fraction (¼): The fourth part of a whole. Example: ein Viertel des Kuchens (a quarter of the cake).
- District/Neighborhood: A specific area or neighborhood in a city. Example: das Studentenviertel (the student district), das Regierungsviertel (the government district).
- Quarter of an hour: 15 minutes. Often used in telling time. Example: Es ist Viertel vor/nach drei (It's quarter to/past three). ⚠️ Often used without an article here!
der Viertel (masculine)
- Unit of measurement (¼ liter): Especially regionally (Southern Germany, Austria) for a quarter liter, usually of wine. Example: einen Viertel Rotwein bestellen (to order a quarter liter of red wine). It's often also referred to as "das Viertel", but the masculine form is specific to the beverage measure. Sometimes also "das Viertele" (diminutive form).
🚨 Attention: In general usage, das Viertel dominates for most meanings (fraction, district, time). Der Viertel is more specific and regional for the beverage measure.
Grammar of "Viertel" in Detail 🧐
das Viertel (neuter)
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Viertel |
| Genitive | des | Viertels |
| Dative | dem | Viertel |
| Accusative | das | Viertel |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Viertel |
| Genitive | der | Viertel |
| Dative | den | Vierteln |
| Accusative | die | Viertel |
der Viertel (masculine)
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Viertel |
| Genitive | des | Viertels |
| Dative | dem | Viertel |
| Accusative | den | Viertel |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Viertel |
| Genitive | der | Viertel |
| Dative | den | Vierteln |
| Accusative | die | Viertel |
Example Sentences 📝
- Das Viertel um den Park ist sehr beliebt. (The neighborhood around the park is very popular.)
- Ich brauche nur ein Viertel von dem Zucker. (I only need a quarter of the sugar.)
- Wir treffen uns um Viertel nach acht. (We'll meet at quarter past eight. - no article used for time)
- Er trinkt gerne einen Viertel Weißwein zum Essen. (He likes to drink a quarter liter of white wine with his meal. - masculine)
- Gib mir bitte das Viertel zurück, das ich dir geliehen habe. (Please give me back the quarter [piece/part] that I lent you. - neuter, referring to a specific ¼)
When to use "das" vs. "der Viertel"? 🧭
The choice of article clearly depends on the meaning:
- Das Viertel: The most common form. Use it when talking about a fraction (ein Viertel von X), a city district (das Bahnhofsviertel), or a quarter of an hour (Viertel vor/nach). In the context of time, often no article is used ("um Viertel nach drei").
- Der Viertel: Significantly less common and more specific. Used mainly in Southern Germany and Austria to denote a measure of 0.25 liters, usually wine ("ein Viertel Roten"). Outside this context, "der Viertel" sounds unusual or incorrect.
Risk of confusion? Actually low, as the contexts are very different. If you're unsure, das Viertel is usually the safer choice, unless you are explicitly ordering wine in a region where der Viertel is common.
Remembering the Articles of Viertel 🧠
For the articles: Think of "DAS Haus (house, neuter) is in das Viertel (district/part, neuter)" and "DER Mann (man, masculine) orders einen Viertel Wein (wine measure, masculine)".
For the meaning: "Viertel" comes from "vier" (four). It's always the fourth part – whether of the city, the hour, the cake, or the liter.
Similar and Opposite Terms 🔄
Synonyms
Similar words:
- Vierling: One of four (rarely for humans), also a technical component.
- Vierteilen: To quarter (historical punishment); to divide something into four parts.
A Little Joke 😄
Lehrer: "Was ist die Hälfte von einem Viertel?"
Schüler: "Keine Ahnung, aber wahrscheinlich nicht viel wert!"
Teacher: "What is half of a quarter?"
Student: "No idea, but probably not worth much!"
A Little Poem 📜
Das Viertel, bunt und voller Leben,
Wo Menschen wohnen, schaffen, streben.
Ein Teil der Stadt, ein Ort für sich,
Mal laut, mal leise, sicherlich.
Ein Viertel Wein, zur guten Speise,
Genossen auf besond're Weise.
Ein Viertel Stunde schnell vergeht,
Wenn man gemütlich zusamm' steht.
--
Translation:
The quarter (district), colorful and full of life,
Where people live, create, strive.
A part of the city, a place of its own,
Sometimes loud, sometimes quiet, surely known.
A quarter (measure) of wine, with a good meal,
Enjoyed in a special way, you feel.
A quarter (hour) quickly passes by,
When standing together cozily, nigh.
Guess What! 🕵️♀️
Ich bin ein Teil von Stadt und Zeit,
Auch vom Kuchen, wenn er bereit.
Manchmal trinkt man mich aus Glas,
Mal bin ich sächlich (das), mal männlich (der) – na, was bin das?
Translation:
I am part of city and time,
Also of the cake, when it's prime.
Sometimes people drink me from a glass,
Sometimes I'm neuter (das), sometimes masculine (der) – well, what am I, alas?
(Solution: Das/Der Viertel)
Interesting Facts about "Viertel" 💡
Etymology: The word "Viertel" derives directly from the numeral "vier" (four) and originally meant the fourth part of something.
Musical Note: In music, there is the "Viertelnote" (quarter note), which represents a specific time value.
Telling Time: The phrasing "dreiviertel" for ":45" (e.g., "dreiviertel acht" for 7:45) is particularly common in Eastern and parts of Southern Germany and refers to the past hour (three quarters of the eighth hour have passed). In other regions, people say "Viertel vor acht" (quarter to eight).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Viertel?
In most cases, you use das Viertel (neuter) for fractions, city districts, and quarter hours. Only for the specific beverage measure (¼ liter of wine), especially regionally, is der Viertel (masculine) correct.