der  Andrang

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈandʁaŋ/

🤔 What does "der Andrang" mean?

Der Andrang (noun, masculine) describes a large gathering of people crowding a place or waiting for something. It can also refer to strong demand for something.

• Large crowd: A situation where many people flock to or gather in one place simultaneously (e.g., at a concert, a sale, a tourist attraction). Synonyms: Gedränge (throng), Zulauf (influx).
• High demand: When many people want or need a specific thing at the same time (e.g., tickets, products, services). Synonyms: Nachfrage (demand), Run (rush).

The word is almost exclusively used in the singular. The plural (die Andränge) is very rare and uncommon.

🚨 Attention: Even though it refers to people, the article is der (masculine).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Andrang

The noun "Andrang" is masculine. Here is the declension in the singular. The plural is practically never used.

Declension "der Andrang"

(Plural "die Andränge" is very rare and not detailed here.)

Example Sentences

1. Nominative: Der Andrang vor dem Geschäft war riesig.
   (The crowd/rush in front of the store was huge.)
2. Genitive: Trotz des großen Andrangs bekamen wir noch Karten.
   (Despite the large crowd/rush, we still got tickets.)
3. Dative: Bei dem Andrang verlor ich meine Freunde aus den Augen.
   (In the crowd/rush, I lost sight of my friends.)
4. Akkusativ: Wir erwarteten den größten Andrang am Nachmittag.
   (We expected the biggest crowd/rush in the afternoon.)

💡 How to Use "der Andrang" Correctly

"Der Andrang" often describes a situation perceived as somewhat stressful or overwhelming, but not exclusively negative. It heavily depends on the context.

• Typical Contexts: Events (Konzerte, Festivals), shops (Schlussverkauf - sales, neue Produkte - new products), train stations/airports (Stoßzeiten - peak hours), tourist attractions (Sehenswürdigkeiten), public authorities (Behörden).
• Connotation: Can be neutral (simply many people/high demand) or slightly negative (Gedränge - throng, Stress - stress). Less often positive (e.g., "Der Andrang zeigt, wie beliebt das Event ist." - "The crowd shows how popular the event is.").
• Use with Prepositions: Often used with "bei" (beim Andrang - in the crowd), "trotz" (trotz des Andrangs - despite the crowd), "wegen" (wegen des Andrangs - because of the crowd).
• Difference from "Menge": Eine "Menge" (a crowd/amount) is more neutral and simply describes a large number. "Andrang" implies movement, pushing, or strong, directed demand.
• Difference from "Gedränge": "Gedränge" (throng, crush) emphasizes the physical pushing and tightness even more than "Andrang".

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Andrang"

Remembering the Article (der)

Imagine the strong man (der Mann) pushing through the crowd (der Andrang). Masculine words often relate to strength or action -> der. Also, "Drang" (urge, drive) is also masculine (der Drang), and it's part of Andrang.

Remembering the Meaning (Crowd/Rush/Demand)

The word sounds like "an-drängen" (to push towards/against). Many people are pushing (drängen) towards (an) a place or towards (an) a thing (they want it). This creates the Andrang.

🔄 Related Words: Synonyms & Antonyms for Andrang

⚠️ Caution, Don't Confuse:

• Drang (der): An inner urge or compulsion. (urge, drive) (e.g., der Drang zu helfen - the urge to help)

😂 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Ameisen nie den Bus zur Hauptverkehrszeit?

Weil sie den Ameisen-Andrang vermeiden wollen! 😉

(Why do ants never take the bus during rush hour? Because they want to avoid the ant-drang! [Pun on Andrang and Ameise=ant])

📜 Poem about the Andrang

Der Andrang

Wo viele Füße eilig gehen,
wo Menschen dicht beisammenstehen.
Ein Ziel sie lockt, ein Ort, ein Stand,
da herrscht Gedränge, Hand in Hand?
Nein, Schulter schiebt sich an die Brust,
man drängt nach vorn, oft mit Verlust
von Raum und Ruh' – das ist bekannt,
als der Andrang im ganzen Land.

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(Translation: The Rush/Crowd)

Where many feet quickly go,
where people stand closely together so.
A goal attracts them, a place, a stall,
there's crowding there, hand in hand for all?
No, shoulder pushes against the chest,
one pushes forward, often put to the test,
losing space and peace – it's known across the land,
as der Andrang, on every hand.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich habe keinen Körper, doch ich drücke.
Ich habe keine Stimme, doch ich rufe viele.
Man findet mich bei Stars und an der Kasse,
mal bin ich lästig, mal 'ne volle Masse.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: Der Andrang

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(Translation)

I have no body, yet I press.
I have no voice, yet I call many.
You find me near stars and at the checkout line,
sometimes I'm annoying, sometimes a full sign (of people).

What am I?

Solution: Der Andrang (The crowd/rush)

✨ More Information

Word Origin & Structure

The word "Andrang" is a noun derived from the verb "andrängen". "Andrängen" means to push towards something or to press/urge someone/something.

• Prefix "an-": Indicates direction towards something.
• Stem "drang" (from "drängen"): Means to push, press, hurry.

Together, the meaning implies a movement towards a point, involving pushing and shoving (physically or metaphorically through demand).