der
Anker
⚓ What does "der Anker" mean?
The word der Anker has several meanings:
- Literal (Nautical/Technical): A heavy device made of metal, lowered from a ship or boat into the water to fix it to the bottom and maintain its position. It prevents drifting due to wind or current.
- Figurative (Symbolic): Something or someone that provides support, security, or stability. This can be a person (e.g., a rock), a principle, a hope, or an important component (e.g., an anchor point of an argument).
- Technical (Electrical Engineering): The rotating part in an electric motor or generator, also called rotor or armature.
- Colloquial (dated): A well-known inn or hotel (often "Zum Anker" - "To the Anchor").
🚨 The main meanings are the nautical one and the figurative one for support and security.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-er → mostly masculine.
1. Caution: many exceptions. 2. almost all -euer nouns are neutral. 3. There are many -er words, we don't list them all.
Grammar Deep Dive: Der Anker
The noun "Anker" is masculine. Its article is der.
Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Anker |
| Genitive | des | Ankers |
| Dative | dem | Anker |
| Accusative | den | Anker |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Anker |
| Genitive | der | Anker |
| Dative | den | Ankern |
| Accusative | die | Anker |
Example Sentences
- Das Schiff warf bei starkem Wind den Anker aus. (The ship dropped anchor in strong wind. - Accusative Singular)
- Die Hoffnung ist der Anker der Seele. (Hope is the anchor of the soul. - Nominative Singular, figurative)
- Die Fischer überprüften die Festigkeit des Ankers. (The fishermen checked the anchor's strength. - Genitive Singular)
- Viele Schiffe liegen mit ihren Ankern im Hafen fest. (Many ships are moored in the harbor with their anchors. - Dative Plural)
- Der Techniker reparierte den Anker des Motors. (The technician repaired the motor's armature. - Accusative Singular, technical)
How to use "der Anker"?
- Nautical Context: Very common in shipping. Phrases include "den Anker werfen/auswerfen" (to cast/drop anchor), "den Anker lichten" (to weigh anchor), or "vor Anker liegen" (to lie at anchor). Example: "Das Kreuzfahrtschiff liegt vor der Küste vor Anker." (The cruise ship is lying at anchor off the coast.)
- Figurative Context: Used to describe stability, security, or a reliable reference point/person. Example: "Ihre Familie ist ihr fester Anker im Leben." (Her family is her firm anchor in life.) or "Dieser Grundsatz ist der Anker unserer Firmenphilosophie." (This principle is the anchor of our company philosophy.)
- Technical Context: Specifically in electrical engineering for the rotor. Example: "Der Anker des Generators muss gewuchtet werden." (The generator's armature needs to be balanced.)
- Idioms: "Den Anker lichten" can also figuratively mean to depart or move on.
There is little risk of confusion, as the contexts are usually clear.
Memory Aids for "der Anker"
Article Mnemonic: Think of a strong anchorman – a man is masculine (der). DER Anchorman reports the news, providing a stable point of information, just like der Anker provides stability.
Meaning Mnemonic: An Anker 'anchors' the ship. Think of the English word 'anchor' – it sounds very similar and has the same core meaning of holding something fast.
Synonyms & Antonyms for "der Anker"
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Literal (Nautical): Schiffsanker (ship's anchor), Grundgeschirr (ground tackle, dated), Draggen (grapnel, small anchor)
- Figurative (Support): Halt (support, hold), Stütze (support, prop), Sicherheit (security), Zuflucht (refuge), Fels in der Brandung (rock in the surf, steadfast person), Rückhalt (backing, support)
- Technical (Motor): Rotor (rotor), Läufer (runner, rotor)
Antonyms (opposites):
- Literal: (No direct opposite, perhaps:) freies Treiben (drifting freely), Fahrt (motion, journey)
- Figurative: Unsicherheit (insecurity), Instabilität (instability), Haltlosigkeit (lack of support), Unbeständigkeit (inconstancy), Auflösung (dissolution)
Similar sounding words:
- Anke (regional): Butter (especially in Alemannic German dialects). Completely different meaning! 🧈
A Little Joke 😄
DE: Fragt der Kapitän den neuen Leichtmatrosen: "Ist der Anker draußen?" Antwortet der Matrose: "Ja, Kapitän, nur die Kette hängt noch hier an Bord!"
EN: The captain asks the new deckhand: "Is the anchor out?" The deckhand replies: "Yes, Captain, only the chain is still hanging here on board!"
Poetic Anchor
DE:
Im Hafen ruht das stolze Schiff,
der Anker hält es fest im Griff.
Er gräbt sich tief im Meeresgrund,
schenkt Sicherheit zu jeder Stund'.
Auch in des Lebens wildem Meer,
braucht's einen Anker, stark und hehr.
Ein Freund, ein Ziel, ein Hoffnungsstrahl,
hält uns fest bei Sturm und Qual.
EN:
In harbor rests the proud ship's form,
The anchor holds it through the storm.
It digs down deep in ocean's ground,
Providing safety all around.
In life's wild sea, tempestuous,
We need an anchor, strong for us.
A friend, a goal, a ray of hope,
Holds us fast on trouble's slope.
Who or what am I? 🤔
DE:
Ich habe Arme, doch umarme nicht.
Ich habe einen Kopf, doch denke nicht.
Ich halte fest, doch habe keine Hand.
Ich lieg' am Grund, doch nicht am Strand.
Wer bin ich?
EN:
I have arms, but give no hug.
I have a crown/head, but wear no rug (on my head = hair).
I hold things fast, but have no hand.
I lie on the bottom, but not on land.
What am I?
Solution: Der Anker (The anchor)
Trivia about the Anchor
- Etymology: The German word "Anker" comes from the Latin "ancora" or Greek "ánkyra" (ἄγκυρα), meaning "hook" or "clamp".
- Symbolism: The anchor is an ancient Christian symbol of hope and steadfastness (see Hebrews 6:19). It's also a popular tattoo motif, often symbolizing home, loyalty, or stability.
- Ankeruhr: A famous Art Nouveau animated clock (literally "Anchor Clock") in Vienna, Austria.
Summary: is it der, die or das Anker?
The noun "Anker" is always masculine. The correct article is der Anker (Nominative Singular). The Genitive Singular is des Ankers, Dative Singular is dem Anker, and Accusative Singular is den Anker. The plural form is die Anker (Nominative/Accusative) and den Ankern (Dative).