der
Absatz
📖 What does "der Absatz" mean?
The word der Absatz is a versatile German noun with several distinct meanings depending on the context:
- Paragraph 📄: A distinct section of a piece of writing, usually dealing with a single theme and indicated by a new line, indentation, or numbering. (Example: Bitte lies den nächsten Absatz. - Please read the next paragraph.)
- Heel (of a shoe) 👠: The raised part on the bottom of a shoe under the back of the foot. (Example: Sie trägt Schuhe mit hohem Absatz. - She wears high-heeled shoes.)
- Sales / Turnover 💰: The quantity of goods or services sold or the revenue generated from sales during a specific period. (Example: Der Absatz von Elektroautos steigt stetig. - The sales of electric cars are steadily increasing.)
- Landing (stairs) stairs: A level area at the top or bottom of a flight of stairs, or connecting two flights. (Example: Wir trafen uns auf dem Absatz im ersten Stock. - We met on the landing on the first floor.)
- Sediment / Deposit 🧪: Material that settles to the bottom of a liquid; dregs. (Example: Nach einiger Zeit bildete sich ein Absatz am Boden des Gefäßes. - After some time, a deposit formed at the bottom of the container.)
- Pause / Interruption (dated) ⏸️: A break or interruption, e.g., when drinking or speaking (rarely used today). (Example: Er trank das Glas in einem Absatz leer. - He emptied the glass in one go. - More commonly 'in einem Zug'.)
🚨 Important: Despite the multiple meanings, the article is always der.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-tz → almost always masculine.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Absatz
The noun "Absatz" is masculine. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Absatz |
| Genitive | des | Absatzes |
| Dative | dem | Absatz(e) |
| Accusative | den | Absatz |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Absätze |
| Genitive | der | Absätze |
| Dative | den | Absätzen |
| Accusative | die | Absätze |
📝 Example Sentences
- Paragraph: Dieser Absatz erklärt die Hauptidee. (This paragraph explains the main idea.)
- Heel: Der Absatz ihres Schuhs ist abgebrochen. (The heel of her shoe broke off.)
- Sales: Wir müssen den Absatz steigern. (We need to increase sales.)
- Paragraphs: Die Gliederung des Textes in Absätze erleichtert das Lesen. (Structuring the text into paragraphs makes reading easier.)
- Heels: Die Höhe der Absätze ist Geschmackssache. (The height of the heels is a matter of taste.)
- Sales: Die Firma freut sich über gute Absätze im letzten Quartal. (The company is pleased about good sales figures in the last quarter.)
💡 How to Use "Absatz"
The use of der Absatz heavily depends on the context:
- In text context: Used when discussing structure, organization of documents, books, or articles. "Ein neuer Gedanke beginnt oft mit einem neuen Absatz." (A new thought often begins with a new paragraph.)
- In fashion context: Refers to shoes. People talk about "hohe Absätze" (high heels), "flache Absätze" (flat heels), "Pfennigabsätze" (stiletto heels), "Blockabsätze" (block heels). "Hohe Absätze können elegant sein, aber auch unbequem." (High heels can be elegant, but also uncomfortable.)
- In business context: Concerns sales success and business figures. Synonyms like Umsatz (turnover/revenue) or Verkaufsvolumen (sales volume) are often used. "Der Absatz der neuen Produktlinie übertraf die Erwartungen." (Sales of the new product line exceeded expectations.)
- In construction/architecture context: Refers to a stair landing. "Vorsicht auf dem nassen Absatz!" (Be careful on the wet landing!)
- In geological/chemical context: More technical term for sediment.
⚠️ Potential Confusion: Don't confuse it with der Ansatz (beginning, approach, deposit/build-up), although it sounds similar.
🧠 Mnemonic Devices for "Absatz"
For the article (der): Imagine a masculine-presenting salesman (DER Verkäufer) who confidently clicks his shoe heels (Absätze), points to a crucial paragraph (Absatz) in the contract, and boasts about his high sales (Absatz). He is DER guy making it happen.
For the meanings: Think of the verb "absetzen" (to set down, deduct, sell). You set apart a paragraph (Absatz) from the text. You set down your foot on a shoe's heel (Absatz). You sell goods (you 'set them off' = Absatz). Stairs are interrupted ('set off') by a landing (Absatz). Something settles down at the bottom (Absatz/Bodensatz).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Absatz
Same Meaning (Synonyms)
Opposite Meaning (Antonyms)
- Heel (shoe): Flachschuh (flat shoe - indirect), Barfuß (barefoot - indirect)
- Sales/Turnover: Ladenhüter (slow-selling item - for low sales), Umsatzrückgang (decrease in sales), Absatzkrise (sales crisis)
- Paragraph: Fließtext (continuous text - indirect), Gesamttext (entire text)
⚠️ Similar Words
😂 A Little Joke
DE: Warum tragen Texte keine Schuhe?
Weil sie schon genug Absätze haben!
EN: Why don't texts wear shoes?
Because they already have enough paragraphs (Absätze) / heels (Absätze)!
✍️ Poem about Absatz
DE:
Ein Absatz trennt, was einst verbunden war,
Im Text ein neuer Sinn, ganz wunderbar.
Am Schuh erhöht er elegant den Schritt,
Beim Händler zählt er, bringt den Umsatz mit.
Auf Treppen kurz verschnaufen, innehalten,
Der Absatz kann so viel gestalten!
EN:
A paragraph/heel/sale divides what once was joined,
In text, a new meaning, wonderfully coined.
On shoes, it lifts the step with elegant grace,
For merchants, it counts, setting the sales pace.
On stairs, a short pause, a moment to stand,
Der Absatz shapes so much across the land!
❓ Riddle
DE:
Ich gliedre Texte, groß und klein,
Ich heb' den Schuh, mal hoch, mal fein.
Ich messe den Erfolg im Laden,
Und trenne Treppen ohne Schaden.
Wer bin ich wohl, stets maskulin?
EN:
I structure texts, both large and small,
I lift the shoe, sometimes standing tall.
I measure success in the store's domain,
And separate stairs, preventing strain.
What am I, always masculine defined?
(... Der Absatz)
✨ Further Information
Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):
The word "Absatz" derives from the verb "absetzen" (to set down, put down, deduct, sell). It describes the result of an action of 'setting apart' or 'setting down':
- Etwas von anderem absetzen (to separate something from something else -> paragraph).
- Den Fuß (mit Schuh) auf etwas absetzen (to set down the foot (with shoe) on something -> shoe heel).
- Waren verkaufen, also absetzen (to sell goods, i.e., 'set them off' -> economic sales).
- Eine Treppe wird durch eine Fläche abgesetzt (Stairs are separated/interrupted by a surface -> landing).
- Etwas setzt sich ab (Something settles down -> sediment/deposit).
Trivia: The variety of meanings shows how a basic concept (setting apart, separating, selling) finds application in different areas of life.
Summary: is it der, die or das Absatz?
The word "Absatz" is always masculine. Therefore, you always say der Absatz, regardless of whether you mean a paragraph, a shoe heel, the sale of goods, or a stair landing. The plural form is "die Absätze".