das  Wasser

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈvasɐ/

💧 What does "das Wasser" mean?

Das Wasser primarily refers to the chemical compound H₂O, a colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid essential for all known forms of life. *It is the basis of rivers, lakes, seas, and rain.*

In a broader sense, das Wasser can also mean:

• A body of water (e.g., "Wir fahren ans Wasser" - *meaning we are going to a lake or the sea).
• As a drink* (e.g., "Ich hätte gern ein Wasser" - I'd like a water). *A distinction is often made here between stilles Wasser (still water) and Sprudelwasser (sparkling water*, Wasser mit Kohlensäure).
• Figurative meanings in idioms (see Usage section).

🚨 Important: The word "Wasser" in German is always neuter, so it's always "das Wasser". *There are no variations with "der" or "die".*

📚 Grammar of "das Wasser" in Detail

"Wasser" is a noun (Substantiv or Nomen) and has the grammatical gender neuter (Neutrum or sächlich). *Therefore, the article is always* das.

Declension (Beugung)

*Here you can see how "das Wasser" is declined in the four cases (Kasus):*

Note on the plural: The plural "die Wasser" or "die Wässer" is rarely used. It's mostly employed when referring to different types of water (e.g., Heilwässer - medicinal waters) or large bodies/masses of water. In everyday use, one usually speaks of "Wasser" in the singular, even when referring to a large quantity (e.g., "viel Wasser" - much water, not "viele Wasser" - many waters*).

Examples 📝

1. Das kalte Wasser erfrischt mich. (The cold water refreshes me.)
2. Die Qualität des Wassers wird regelmäßig geprüft. (The quality of the water is checked regularly.)
3. Gib dem Wasser etwas Salz hinzu. (Add some salt to the water.)
4. Ich trinke jeden Tag viel Wasser. (I drink a lot of water every day.)
5. Die verschiedenen Heilwässer der Region sind bekannt. (The various medicinal waters of the region are well-known. - rare plural)

💡 How to use "das Wasser"?

"Das Wasser" *is a fundamental word in the German language and is used very frequently. Here are some typical contexts and idioms:

• Everyday Use:* "Kann ich bitte ein Glas Wasser haben?" (Can I please have a glass of water?), "Das Wasser kocht." (The water is boiling.), "Händewaschen mit Seife und Wasser." (Washing hands with soap and water.)
• Nature & Environment: "Der Fluss führt Hochwasser." (The river is flooding. - Hochwasser = high water/flood), "Das Grundwasser ist verschmutzt." (The groundwater is polluted.), "Salzwasser vs. Süßwasser." (Saltwater vs. freshwater.)
• Idioms (figurative):
  • Jemandem das Wasser reichen können: To be someone's equal. ("Er kann ihm nicht das Wasser reichen." - He can't hold a candle to him.)
  • Ins Wasser fallen: *To fall through, not take place.* ("Der Ausflug ist leider ins Wasser gefallen." - *Unfortunately, the trip fell through.*)
  • Sich über Wasser halten: *To keep one's head above water (financially).* ("Mit dem kleinen Job kann er sich kaum über Wasser halten." - *He can barely keep his head above water with that small job.*)
  • Stille Wasser sind tief: Still waters run deep. (*Quiet people often have complex characters or secrets.*)
  • Nah am Wasser gebaut sein: *To be very emotional, cry easily.
• Compounds: Wasser is part of many compound words, e.g., Wasserfall (waterfall), Wassermelone (watermelon), Wasserkraft (hydropower), Leitungswasser (tap water), Mineralwasser (mineral water), Abwasser (wastewater).

There is little risk of confusion as the word is very specific. However, pay attention to the context to understand whether the drink, the substance H₂O, or a body of water is meant.*

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Wasser"

Remembering the Article: *Think of water as something neutral – neither male nor female in a biological sense. It's just there, a fundamental substance. This neutral foundation needs the neutral article: das Wasser. Or think of the chemical formula: H₂O - a formula, something factual, neuter ->* das Wasser.

Remembering the Meaning: *Imagine saying "Vas...? Sir!" when asking a waiter for water. It sounds a bit like Wasser. Or think of the sound waves make: "Wash... wash..." - that's the Wasser on the beach. Also, note the strong similarity between English 'Water' and German* 'Wasser'.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Wasser

Similar but Different Words:

• Wässrig: *An adjective meaning "containing a lot of water" or "tasteless". ("Die Suppe ist wässrig." - The soup is watery.*)

😂 A Little Water Joke

Fragt der Lehrer: "Was ist chemisch reines Wasser?"
Meldet sich Fritzchen: "Wasser ohne Seife, Herr Lehrer!" 😄

Translation:
The teacher asks: "What is chemically pure water?"
Little Fritz answers: "Water without soap, teacher!" 😄

✍️ Poem about Water

Das Wasser, klar und rein,
muss überall auf Erden sein.
Es fließt im Bach, im Strom, im Meer,
gib uns Leben, immer mehr.

Mal sanft und still, mal wild mit Macht,
hat es die Welt hervorgebracht.
Ein Tropfen nur, so klein und schlicht,
ohne das Wasser geht es nicht.

Translation:
The water, clear and pure,
must be everywhere on earth.
It flows in the stream, the river, the sea,
gives us life, ever more.

Sometimes gentle and still, sometimes wild with might,
it brought forth the world.
Just a drop, so small and simple,
without the water, nothing works.

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich habe kein Leben, aber ich kann wachsen;
Ich habe keine Lungen, aber ich brauche Luft (um Wellen zu schlagen);
Ich habe keinen Mund, aber Wasser kann mich verschlingen (Feuer). Ich kann klar sein, doch auch trüb;
Ich tanze im Regen, ruhe im See tief.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I have no life, but I can grow;
I have no lungs, but I need air (to make waves);
I have no mouth, but water can swallow me (fire).
I can be clear, yet also murky;
I dance in the rain, rest deep in the lake.

What am I?

Solution: Das Wasser (Water)

🌐 Other Interesting Facts

• Chemical Formula: H₂O (*two hydrogen atoms, one oxygen atom).
• States of Matter: Water exists in three main states: fest (solid - Eis/ice), flüssig (liquid* - Wasser/water), and gasförmig (gaseous - Wasserdampf/water vapor).
• Importance: *About 60-70% of the human body is made of water. It's essential for almost all metabolic processes.
• Word Formation: "Wasser" is an old Germanic word. It forms the basis for countless compound words (Komposita) in German, such as Wassermangel (water shortage), Wassersport (water sports), Wasserhahn (water tap), Trinkwasser (drinking water), Abwasserleitung (sewage pipe), Hochwasserschutz (flood protection*).