der
Außenspiegel
🔍 What is 'der Außenspiegel'?
The German word der Außenspiegel refers to a wing mirror or side mirror on a vehicle. It's a mirror attached to the exterior of a vehicle, typically on the front doors or fenders. Its main function is to provide the driver with a view of the area behind and to the side of the vehicle, helping to reduce the 'blind spot' (der tote Winkel) and make maneuvers like overtaking or changing lanes safer.
The word always takes the masculine article der. It's a compound noun formed from außen (adverb/preposition meaning 'outside') and der Spiegel (noun meaning 'mirror', which is masculine). Because the base word Spiegel is masculine, the compound word Außenspiegel is also masculine.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-el → mostly masculine.
1. Caution: many exceptions. 2. there are many -el words, we don't list them all.
📊 Grammar Guide: 'der Außenspiegel'
The noun 'Außenspiegel' is masculine. Here is its declension (die Deklination):
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | ein | Außenspiegel |
| Genitive | des | eines | Außenspiegels |
| Dative | dem | einem | Außenspiegel |
| Accusative | den | einen | Außenspiegel |
| Case | Definite Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Außenspiegel |
| Genitive | der | Außenspiegel |
| Dative | den | Außenspiegeln |
| Accusative | die | Außenspiegel |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der rechte Außenspiegel war vereist.
(The right wing mirror was iced over.) - Bitte stell deine Außenspiegel richtig ein, bevor du losfährst.
(Please adjust your wing mirrors correctly before you drive off.) - Beim Einparken habe ich leider den Außenspiegel des anderen Autos beschädigt.
(Unfortunately, I damaged the other car's wing mirror while parking.) - Moderne Autos haben oft beheizbare Außenspiegel.
(Modern cars often have heated wing mirrors.)
🚗 Using 'Außenspiegel' in Context
The term Außenspiegel is used specifically for the mirrors on the sides of a vehicle. It's part of everyday vocabulary in the context of driving (das Autofahren), road safety (die Verkehrssicherheit), and vehicle technology (die Fahrzeugtechnik).
- Typical Contexts: Driving school (die Fahrschule), car repair shop (die Autowerkstatt), conversations about driving, accident reports (der Unfallbericht).
- Distinction: Don't confuse it with the Innenspiegel (interior mirror or rearview mirror), which is located inside the vehicle. Although the Innenspiegel is also a type of Rückspiegel (rearview mirror), in German, the side mirrors are usually called Außenspiegel or Seitenspiegel, and the interior one is called Innenspiegel.
- Function: Used for observing rearward and side traffic, crucial for changing lanes (der Spurwechsel), turning (das Abbiegen), and parking (das Einparken).
🧠 Memory Aids
Remembering the Article: Think of der Fahrer (the male driver) looking in den Spiegel (the mirror - accusative). The mirror 'belongs' to 'him'. Or: The mirror shows the area außen (outside) - imagine a strong *man* (masculine = der) checking his surroundings outside.
Remembering the Meaning: The word is a compound: Außen (outside) + Spiegel (mirror). It's simply the mirror that is 'outside' the vehicle.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Words with similar meaning):
- Seitenspiegel: A very common synonym (literally 'side mirror').
- Rückspiegel: Sometimes used for wing mirrors, but it's more of a general term for 'rearview mirror' and often refers specifically to the interior mirror. 🚨 Be careful: Can be ambiguous.
- Wagenspiegel (dated): An older, less common term ('car mirror').
Antonyms (Opposites):
- Innenspiegel: The mirror inside the vehicle.
⚠️ Similar but different terms:
- Toter Winkel: The blind spot, the area not visible despite the mirrors. The Außenspiegel helps reduce this.
- Spiegelglas: The actual reflective glass part within the mirror housing.
😂 A Little Joke
Fritzchen fragt seinen Vater: "Papa, warum haben Autos eigentlich Außenspiegel?"
Sagt der Vater: "Damit man sieht, was man gerade überfahren hat!"
(Little Fritz asks his father: "Dad, why do cars actually have wing mirrors?" The father replies: "So you can see what you just ran over!")
(Note: This is dark humor, not to be taken literally!)
📜 Little Poem
Der Außenspiegel, klein und klar,
zeigt, was hinterm Auto war.
Ein Blick zur Seite, schnell und flink,
bevor man auf die andre Spur schwenkt.
Er wacht stets außen, treu und still,
damit man sicher fahren will.
(The wing mirror, small and clear,
shows what was behind the car, my dear.
A glance aside, so quick and neat,
before you change onto the other street.
It watches outside, loyal and still,
to ensure you drive safely, if you will.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich hänge außen, meist zu zweit,
schenk dir klare Sichtbarkeit.
Nach hinten schau ich und zur Seit',
für deine Fahrsicherheit.
Was bin ich?
Lösung: Der Außenspiegel
(I hang outside, usually in a pair,
giving you visibility so clear.
I look behind and to the side,
for your safety while you drive.
What am I?
Answer: The wing mirror / der Außenspiegel)
🧐 Other Information
Word Composition (die Wortzusammensetzung): The word 'Außenspiegel' is a determinative compound. The base word (das Grundwort) is 'der Spiegel' (mirror), and the determinant (das Bestimmungswort) is 'außen' (outside). The determinant specifies the location of the mirror.
Technology (die Technik): Modern Außenspiegel are often electrically adjustable (elektrisch verstellbar), heated (beheizbar), and sometimes foldable (einklappbar). Some also incorporate turn signals (der Blinker) or sensors for assistance systems (e.g., blind spot assist - der Totwinkel-Assistent).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Außenspiegel?
The German word for 'wing mirror' or 'side mirror' is der Außenspiegel (masculine). The plural is die Außenspiegel. It refers to the mirror on the exterior of a vehicle.