der
Anstoß
⚽ What does "der Anstoß" actually mean?
The German word der Anstoß (masculine) has several meanings depending on the context:
- In sports (especially football/soccer): The start of a match or a half, when the ball is kicked off from the center spot. Synonyms often include der Anpfiff (the starting whistle) or der Kick-off. 🥅
- The impetus or cause: The external reason or initial action that sets something in motion or triggers it. Example: Der Anstoß zur Diskussion kam vom Publikum. (The impetus for the discussion came from the audience.) 💡
- The offence or scandal: An action, statement, or situation that causes displeasure, anger, or disapproval in others. One can Anstoß erregen (cause offence) or Anstoß an etwas nehmen (take offence at something). 😠
⚠️ Note: The intended meaning usually becomes clear from the context.
📐 Grammar in Detail: Der Anstoß
The noun "Anstoß" is masculine, so its article is der.
Declension of "der Anstoß"
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Anstoß |
| Genitive | des | Anstoßes |
| Dative | dem | Anstoß |
| Accusative | den | Anstoß |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Anstöße |
| Genitive | der | Anstöße |
| Dative | den | Anstößen |
| Accusative | die | Anstöße |
Example Sentences
- (Sport) Der Anstoß erfolgt pünktlich um 15:30 Uhr.
(The kick-off takes place punctually at 3:30 PM.) - (Impetus) Ihre Rede gab den Anstoß für eine wichtige Reform.
(Her speech provided the impetus for an important reform.) - (Offence) Sein Verhalten erregte öffentlichen Anstoß.
(His behaviour caused public offence.) - (Offence) Viele nahmen Anstoß an der Entscheidung.
(Many took offence at the decision.)
🗣️ How to use "der Anstoß"?
- Sports Context: Almost exclusively in football (soccer) and similar sports for the start of the game. Set phrase: den Anstoß ausführen (to take the kick-off).
- As Impetus/Trigger: Often in more formal contexts or discussions about causes and developments. Phrases: den Anstoß geben zu etwas (to give the impetus for something), der erste Anstoß (the initial impetus). Here it resembles words like Impuls (impulse), Initiative (initiative), or Auslöser (trigger), but often emphasizes the initial spark.
- As Offence/Provocation: Describes something perceived as morally or socially unacceptable. Set phrases: Anstoß erregen (to cause offence), Anstoß nehmen an etwas (Dativ) (to take offence at something). Here it's stronger than just 'annoyance' and borders on Skandal (scandal) or Provokation (provocation). It's often subjective what someone takes offence at.
🧠 Mnemonics for "der Anstoß"
For the article: Think of sports: DER ball gets a 'Stoß' (push/kick) at the kick-off. Or: It's DER impulse, like the driving force (masculine energy).
For the meanings: Imagine a triple "push" or "impact" (related to 'Stoß'): 1. A ball gets pushed (angestoßen) - kick-off. 2. An idea gets pushed forward (angestoßen) - impetus. 3. Someone feels pushed against or offended (gestoßen) - offence.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms of Anstoß
Synonyms (similar words):
- For sports kick-off: Anpfiff (starting whistle), Kick-off, Spielbeginn (start of play)
- For impetus: Impuls (impulse), Auslöser (trigger), Initiative (initiative), Anregung (suggestion, stimulus), Denkanstoß (food for thought), Initialzündung (initial spark)
- For offence: Ärgernis (nuisance, scandal), Provokation (provocation), Skandal (scandal), Missfallen (displeasure), Stein des Anstoßes (stumbling block, bone of contention), Aufreger (something causing upset)
Antonyms (opposite words):
- For sports kick-off: Abpfiff (final whistle), Schlusspfiff (final whistle), Spielende (end of play)
- For impetus: Hemmnis (obstacle), Hindernis (hindrance), Blockade (blockage), Stillstand (standstill)
- For offence: Zustimmung (approval), Akzeptanz (acceptance), Lob (praise), Beifall (applause), Einverständnis (agreement)
⚠️ Potential for Confusion:
Don't confuse the noun der Anstoß with the verb anstoßen (e.g., to clink glasses, to bump into something).
😂 A Little Joke
Warum nehmen Fußballspieler nie Anstoß an schlechtem Wetter?
Weil sie wissen, dass nach dem Anstoß sowieso alles nass wird – entweder vom Regen oder vom Schweiß! ⚽💧
--- English Translation ---
Why do football players never take offence (Anstoß nehmen) at bad weather?
Because they know that after the kick-off (Anstoß), everything gets wet anyway – either from rain or sweat!
📜 Poem about Anstoß
Der Anstoß, ein Wort, dreifach im Klang,
Mal Startschuss zum Spiel, das dauert lang. 🥅
Mal Funke der Idee, der Neues entfacht, 🔥
Ein Anstoß zur Tat, bei Tag und bei Nacht.
Doch manchmal ein Stein, an dem man sich stößt, 😠
Ein Anstoß, der Ärger und Unmut auslöst.
--- English Translation ---
Der Anstoß, a word, with a threefold sound,
Sometimes kick-off for the game on the ground. 🥅
Sometimes spark of an idea, igniting the new, 🔥
An impetus for action, for me and for you.
But sometimes a stone, causing one to fall, 😠
An offence, bringing anger and displeasure to all.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich starte das Spiel auf grünem Feld,
Bin auch der Grund, der ein Projekt erhellt.
Doch manchmal sorge ich für großen Streit,
Wenn jemand an mir Ärgernis zur Schau stellt weit.
Was bin ich?
Lösung: der Anstoß
--- English Translation ---
I start the game on a field of green,
I'm also the reason a project is seen.
But sometimes I cause a major fight,
When someone takes offence at me, day or night.
What am I?
Solution: der Anstoß
✨ Other Information
Word Composition: The word "Anstoß" is composed of the prefix an (on, at) and the noun Stoß (push, bump, impact). It derives from the verb anstoßen (to kick off, to initiate, to bump against, to offend).
Idiom: "Stein des Anstoßes" (literally 'stone of the offence/impact') means a stumbling block or bone of contention – something or someone causing public annoyance or controversy.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Anstoß?
The German word Anstoß is masculine, and the correct article is always der (der Anstoß, des Anstoßes, dem Anstoß, den Anstoß).