der  Becher

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈbɛçɐ/

🏺 What Exactly is a Becher?

Der Becher is a masculine noun in German. It typically refers to a drinking vessel without a handle, often made of plastic, cardboard, or metal, but sometimes also ceramic or glass (though glass ones might be called Trinkglas, the shape can be beaker-like). It can come in various shapes and sizes.

• Main meaning: A simple drinking vessel, often cylindrical or conical, without a handle. Examples: ein Plastikbecher (a plastic cup), ein Pappbecher (a paper cup), ein Zahnputzbecher (a toothbrush tumbler/cup).
• Other meanings:
  • The contents of such a vessel: ein Becher Joghurt (a pot/cup of yogurt).
  • A vessel in a laboratory (lab beaker): ein Becherglas (a beaker).
  • In dice games: der Würfelbecher (the dice cup).

🚨 Attention: Although some 'Becher' have handles (like a Kaffeebecher - coffee mug), the word is often used for the handle-less variety. The distinction from die Tasse (usually has a handle, used for hot drinks) can sometimes be blurry.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 The Grammar of "der Becher"

The word "Becher" is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences

1. Der Becher steht auf dem Tisch. (The cup is on the table.)
2. Der Boden des Bechers ist schmutzig. (The bottom of the cup is dirty.)
3. Ich gebe dir Wasser in dem Becher. (I give you water in the cup.)
4. Er trinkt aus einem roten Becher. (He drinks from a red cup.)
5. Kannst du mir den Becher reichen? (Can you pass me the cup?)
6. Die Becher sind stapelbar. (The cups are stackable.)
7. Er spülte die Becher schnell ab. (He quickly rinsed the cups.)

💡 When to Use "Becher"?

"Becher" is a very common word in everyday German.

• Drinking vessel: Often for cold drinks, at parties (Plastik-/Pappbecher - plastic/paper cups), or for children. Also the Zahnputzbecher (toothbrush cup/tumbler) in the bathroom.

  Example: Gib mir bitte einen Becher Wasser. (Please give me a cup/glass of water.)

• Container/Packaging: Many dairy products like yogurt (Joghurt), quark, or cream (Sahne) are sold in Bechern (pots/cups).

  Example: Ich kaufe einen Becher Sahne für den Kuchen. (I'm buying a pot of cream for the cake.)

• Measuring cup: Messbecher in the kitchen for measuring ingredients.

  Example: Du brauchst zwei Becher Mehl für das Rezept. (You need two cups of flour for the recipe - Note: 'cup' as a unit can differ from a standard Becher volume).

• Laboratory: As a Becherglas (beaker) for experiments.

  Example: Füllen Sie die Flüssigkeit vorsichtig in das Becherglas. (Carefully pour the liquid into the beaker.)

• Dice game: The Würfelbecher (dice cup) for shaking dice.

  Example: Wer hat den Würfelbecher? (Who has the dice cup?)

Distinction from "Tasse": A Tasse usually has a handle and is typically used for hot drinks (coffee, tea - Kaffee, Tee) and often made of porcelain or ceramic. A Becher is often simpler, handle-less, and made from various materials.

🧠 How to Remember "der Becher"

Mnemonic for the Article (der)

Think of a big, strong BAKER (masculine!) who needs DER Becher (the cup) to measure flour. BAKER sounds a bit like Becher and is often a 'he' -> DER.

Mnemonic for the Meaning

Imagine you want to CATCH a beverage - you need a BECHER! It sounds a bit like 'catch-er'. A Becher is for catching/holding liquids (or yogurt!).

🔄 Similar and Opposite Words

⚠️ Potentially Confusing Words

• Bächer: Plural of Bach (stream/brook). Sounds similar!

😄 A Little Joke

DE: Fragt der Lehrer: "Was ist flüssiger als Wasser?" Fritzchen: "Hausaufgaben, die sind nämlich überflüssig!" Lehrer: "Und was hat das mit einem Becher zu tun?" Fritzchen: "Nichts, aber mein Wasserbecher ist gerade umgefallen!"

EN: The teacher asks: "What is more fluid than water?" Little Fritz answers: "Homework, because it's superfluous (überflüssig - literally 'over-liquid')!" Teacher: "And what does that have to do with a cup (Becher)?" Little Fritz: "Nothing, but my water cup just fell over!" 🥛💦

✒️ Becher Poetry

DE:
Ein Becher, rund und schlicht,
hält Wasser, Saft ans Licht.
Mal Pappe, mal Plastik, klar,
für Durst ist er stets da.

Im Schrank, im Bad, im Labor,
dient er als Helfer vor.
Der Joghurt schmeckt daraus fein,
so soll ein Becher sein!

EN:
A Becher, round and plain,
Holds water, juice, again.
Cardboard, plastic, clear,
For thirst, it's always here.

In cupboard, bath, or lab's domain,
It serves as helper, sane.
The yogurt tastes just fine,
A Becher's true design!

❓ Riddle Time

DE: Ich hab' keinen Henkel, bin oft aus Pappe oder Plastik gemacht. Man trinkt aus mir, füllt Joghurt ein bei Tag und Nacht. Im Labor helf' ich auch, das ist kein Dreher. Was bin ich? Na klar, ein...?

EN: I have no handle, I'm often made of cardboard or plastic. People drink from me, fill yogurt in me day and night. I also help in the lab, that's no lie. What am I? Of course, a...?

Solution: Becher (Cup/Beaker/Pot)

🧩 More About Becher

Compound Words (Wortzusammensetzungen)

"Becher" is part of many compound German words:

• Messbecher: Measuring cup (for liquids or dry ingredients).
• Zahnputzbecher: Toothbrush cup/tumbler (for holding toothbrush and rinsing).
• Kaffeebecher: Coffee mug/cup (often larger, sometimes with a handle, including 'coffee-to-go' cups).
• Würfelbecher: Dice cup.
• Joghurtbecher: Yogurt pot/cup.
• Plastikbecher, Pappbecher: Plastic cup, paper cup.
• Trinkbecher: Drinking cup/beaker (general term).
• Becherglas: Beaker (cylindrical glass vessel used in labs).

Word Origin (Etymologie)

The word "Becher" comes from Middle High German "becher" and Old High German "behhari". It is likely borrowed from Late Latin/Vulgar Latin *bicarium* (drinking vessel), which might have Greek origins.