das  Wasserbett

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈvasɐˌbɛt/

🛌 What exactly is a Wasserbett?

A Wasserbett (article: das) is a bed whose mattress is filled with water. This type of bed is known for its unique comfort and the ability to regulate the water temperature. It typically consists of a waterproof core (the mattress), a safety liner, and a frame or pedestal.

The word has only this one meaning and always uses the article das.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Das Wasserbett

The noun "Wasserbett" is neuter. Its declension is as follows:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Das neue Wasserbett ist sehr bequem. (The new waterbed is very comfortable.)
2. Die Temperatur des Wasserbettes kann man einstellen. (You can adjust the temperature of the waterbed.)
3. Ich schlafe seit Jahren in dem Wasserbett. (I've been sleeping in the waterbed for years.)
4. Sie hat sich ein Wasserbett gekauft. (She bought herself a waterbed.)
5. Die Wasserbetten im Möbelhaus waren reduziert. (The waterbeds in the furniture store were on sale.)

💡 How is Wasserbett used?

The term "Wasserbett" is primarily used in the context of furniture and bedroom furnishings. It specifically describes the type of mattress.

• Typical Usage: Describing a piece of furniture, discussing sleep comfort or back health.
• Context: Conversations about home decor, furniture shopping, health topics (back pain), personal sleeping preferences.
• Comparison: Unlike a Federkernmatratze (spring mattress) or Latexmatratze (latex mattress), the Wasserbett offers a floating sensation. A Luftmatratze (air mattress) is usually intended for temporary use, whereas a Wasserbett is a permanent sleeping place.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: Think of "das Bett" (the bed). The base word "Bett" is neuter. Even with "Wasser" (water) in front, the article remains das: das Bett -> das Wasserbett. Imagine the water flowing *neutrally* inside the bed.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you are lying on a wave (Wasser) inside your Bett. The image of a bed filled with water helps solidify the meaning.

↔️ Opposites and Similar Terms

⚠️ Caution: Not to be confused with a simple Wassermatratze used for swimming pools or bathing.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat das Wasserbett Seekrankheit bekommen? Weil es zu viele Wellen geschlagen hat!

(Why did the waterbed get seasick? Because it made too many waves!)

📜 Poem about the Wasserbett

Im Zimmer steht ein Wunderding,
das Wasserbett, wie Wellen schwingt.
Man legt sich sanft, es trägt dich fort,
ein warmer, stiller, nasser Ort.
Kein Drücken hier, kein harter Stein,
nur Wasser, das dich wiegt so fein.
Der Schlaf kommt schnell, die Nacht wird gut,
im Wasserbett ruht alle Wut.

(In the room stands a wondrous thing,
the waterbed, swinging like waves.
You lie down gently, it carries you away,
a warm, quiet, wet place.
No pressure here, no hard stone,
just water, rocking you so finely.
Sleep comes quickly, the night becomes good,
in the waterbed all anger rests.)

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich habe keinen Fluss, doch bin voll Nass.
Ich bin ein Bett, doch biete keinen festen Halt zum Fass'.
Man schläft auf mir, mal warm, mal kühl,
und fühlt dabei ein schwebendes Gefühl.

Was bin ich? (... Das Wasserbett)

(I have no river, yet I am full of wetness.
I am a bed, but offer no firm hold to grasp.
One sleeps on me, sometimes warm, sometimes cool,
and feels a floating sensation.

What am I?
... The waterbed)

✨ Other Information

Word Composition: The word "Wasserbett" is a compound noun, composed of:

• das Wasser (noun, neuter: water)
• das Bett (noun, neuter: bed)

Trivia: Modern waterbeds became popular in the late 1960s, although early forms existed much earlier. They are often associated with a certain lifestyle of the 70s and 80s, but still have followers today due to their comfort and potential therapeutic benefits (e.g., pressure relief).