der  Bob

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bɔb/

🧊💇‍♀️ What exactly is 'der Bob'?

The German word der Bob primarily has two meanings:

1. Sports equipment (Wintersportgerät): A special, steerable sled for several people, used for racing on an ice track (Bobbahn). Think of the Winter Olympics!
2. Hairstyle (Frisur): A short hairstyle for women (and sometimes men), where the hair typically ends at chin level or slightly below. There are many variations (e.g., Long Bob, Stufenbob - layered bob).

⚠️ Attention: Although 'Bob' is also an English first name, in German, no article is usually used for the name, or context-dependently 'der' (e.g., when talking about a specific person named Bob: 'Der Bob von nebenan...' - 'The Bob from next door...'), but the main meanings with the fixed article 'der' are the sports equipment and the hairstyle.

📏 Grammar Guide for 'der Bob'

The noun 'Bob' is masculine and takes the article der. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

• Sportgerät: Der Bob raste die Eisbahn hinunter. (The bobsled raced down the ice track.)
• Frisur: Sie trägt einen modischen Bob. (She wears a fashionable bob haircut.)
• Genitive: Die Geschwindigkeit des Bobs war atemberaubend. (The speed of the bobsled was breathtaking.)
• Plural: Bei den Olympischen Spielen treten viele Bobs gegeneinander an. (Many bobsleds compete against each other at the Olympic Games.)

⛷️💇 How to use 'Bob' correctly

The use of der Bob clearly depends on the context:

• In a sports context (especially winter sports), 'der Bob' clearly refers to the racing sled. You often hear about Bobfahren (bobsledding), the Bobbahn (bobsled track), or the Bobteam (bobsled team).
• In fashion or everyday conversation about appearance, 'der Bob' refers to the hairstyle. Here, you often hear about a kurzer Bob (short bob), langer Bob (long bob), or gestufter Bob (layered bob).

Confusion is rare because the context is usually clear. You wouldn't say: 'Sie hat sich einen neuen Rennschlitten schneiden lassen.' ('She had a new racing sled cut for herself.') 😉

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Bob'

1. Remembering the article: Imagine DER sporty MAN (masculine!) named Bob driving his sled DEN mountain down OR DER hairdresser cutting DEN bob. The masculine image helps with 'der'.
2. Remembering the meanings: Think of the English word 'bob', meaning to nod or bounce. A Bob (sled) bobs down the track, and a Bob (hairstyle) bobs slightly when walking.

"Der cool Bob, whether a jaunty hairstyle or on the ice track straight to its purpose."

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

Similar Words (Caution!)

• Die Bobbahn: Feminine! Refers to the track, not the vehicle.
• Böbbel/Bobbel: Colloquial term for small knots or nubs (often in wool).

😂 A Little Bob Joke

German: Warum hat der Bobfahrer immer kalte Füße? Weil er ständig auf Eis ist!

English: Why does the bobsledder always have cold feet? Because he's always on ice! (Pun: 'auf Eis sein' can mean 'to be on ice' literally, or 'to be put on hold/shelved' figuratively, but here the literal meaning is intended).

📜 Poem about the Bob

German:
Der Bob, so schnell, auf glattem Eis,
fährt kühn hinab, gewinnt den Preis.
Ein Team vereint, in enger Reih',
siegt mutig in der Raserei.

Der Bob, als Schnitt, am Kopf so schick,
umrahmt das Antlitz, Stück für Stück.
Mal kurz, mal lang, stets elegant,
im Wind weht er, charmant bekannt.

English:
The Bob, so fast, on smooth ice clear,
Drives boldly down, the prize is near.
A team united, in a tight row,
Wins bravely in the frenzied show.

The Bob, a cut, on head so chic,
Frames the face, piece by piece, quick.
Sometimes short, sometimes long, always elegant,
In the wind it blows, charmingly known, heaven-sent.

❓ Bob Riddle

German:
Ich kann dich wärmen, wenn ich fahre schnell im Team,
doch auch dein Haupt zieren, wie ein schöner Traum.
Mal rase ich im Eiskanal,
mal schwinge ich bei jedem Schritt und Tritt,
ganz ohne Qual.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I can keep you warm when I travel fast in a team,
but also adorn your head, like a beautiful dream.
Sometimes I race in the ice channel's gleam,
sometimes I swing with every step and seem,
entirely without pain or scheme.

What am I?

Solution: der Bob

🌐 More about Bob

• Etymology: The word 'Bob' for the sled comes from English. 'Bobsleigh' originated around 1890. 'To bob' meant 'to move jerkily,' describing the motion of the first drivers trying to gain momentum.
• Hairstyle Origin: The bob hairstyle became popular in the early 20th century, often as a sign of female emancipation. Famous wearers like Coco Chanel made it world-famous.