der /
das
Bord
📖 What does "Bord" mean?
The word "Bord" in German has two genders with different meanings:
Der Bord (masculine)
- Edge, rim: Often refers to the upper edge or rim of something, e.g., a plate, a path, or the side wall of a ship or aircraft.
- Side wall (ship/aircraft): Specifically the wall or edge of a watercraft or aircraft. The terms Steuerbord (starboard, right side) and Backbord (port, left side) derive from this.
- Figuratively: To be "an Bord" means to be part of a group or company or to be inside a vehicle. "Über Bord werfen" can mean literally (to throw something into the water) or figuratively (to abandon or discard something).
Das Bord (neuter)
- Shelf, wall shelf: A flat board, usually attached to the wall, for storing objects (Bücherbord - bookshelf, Wandbord - wall shelf).
- Dashboard: The instrument panel in a car is often called Armaturenbrett, although 'Brett' (board) dominates here.
- 🚨 Attention: In the plural, "Borde" is often used for der Bord (the edges/rims) and "Borde" or sometimes "Bretter" for das Bord (the shelves). Usage can vary regionally. The Duden dictionary recommends "Borde" as the plural for das Bord (shelf).
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Declension of Bord
The declension differs depending on the article.
Declension "der Bord" (masculine)
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der Bord | die Borde |
| Genitive | des Bordes / Bords | der Borde |
| Dative | dem Bord(e) | den Borden |
| Accusative | den Bord | die Borde |
Declension "das Bord" (neuter)
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das Bord | die Borde |
| Genitive | des Bordes / Bords | der Borde |
| Dative | dem Bord(e) | den Borden |
| Accusative | das Bord | die Borde |
Example Sentences 📝
- Der Bord des Tellers war verziert. (The rim of the plate was decorated.)
- Alle Mann an Bord! (All hands on deck! / Everyone on board!)
- Er warf seine alten Gewohnheiten über Bord. (He threw his old habits overboard. / He abandoned his old habits.)
- Steuerbord ist rechts, Backbord links am Schiff. (Starboard is right, port is left on the ship.)
- Das Bord an der Wand ist voller Bücher. (The shelf on the wall is full of books.)
- Wir brauchen noch ein Bord für das Badezimmer. (We still need a shelf for the bathroom.)
🗣️ How to use "Bord"?
- "Der Bord" is frequently used in maritime and aviation contexts ("an Bord gehen" - to go on board, "von Bord gehen" - to disembark, "Mann über Bord" - man overboard). It also describes physical edges ("der Bord des Kraters" - the rim of the crater).
- "Das Bord" is more common in everyday language and usually refers to pieces of furniture for storage (Bücherbord - bookshelf, Gewürzbord - spice rack).
- Context is key: Whether "der" or "das" is used clearly depends on the meaning. A "Bücherbord" (bookshelf) is always neuter (das), while the side of a ship is always masculine (der).
- Fixed phrases: Many expressions like "an Bord" or "über Bord" are fixed and implicitly use "der Bord" in the sense of the ship's edge/deck.
- Difference from "Brett": While "das Bord" means a shelf, "das Brett" is more general and can also be a simple piece of wood without a shelf function (e.g., Schneidebrett - cutting board, Holzbrett - wooden board).
🧠 Mnemonics for "Bord"
For article & meaning: Think: The masculine edge of the ship (der Bord) is a line, while the neuter shelf (das Bord) holds neutral items. Or: Der border (masculine) vs. das shelf board (neuter).
For the meaning: Imagine going on board (an Bord) a ship (der Bord) and then putting your books on the shelf board (das Bord) in your cabin.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms for Bord
Synonyms
- For "der Bord": Rand (edge), Kante (edge), Leiste (strip, ledge), Saum (hem, edge); Deck (deck of a ship/aircraft), Seite (side - Steuerbord/Backbord)
- For "das Bord": Regal (shelf, rack), Brett (board), Regalbrett (shelf board), Ablage (shelf, storage space), Wandbrett (wall shelf), Konsole (console table, shelf)
⚠️ Similar Words
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Kapitän den neuen Matrosen: "Kennen Sie den Unterschied zwischen Steuerbord und Backbord?"
Antwortet der Matrose: "Klar, Chef! Steuerbord ist da, wo die Steuern an Bord kommen, und Backbord, wo wir das Brot backen!" 🚢🍞
Translation: The captain asks the new sailor: "Do you know the difference between starboard (Steuerbord) and port (Backbord)?"
The sailor replies: "Sure, boss! Starboard is where the taxes (Steuern) come on board, and port is where we bake (backen) the bread!" (This is a pun on the German words).
📜 Poem about Bord
Der Bord des Schiffes, rau und alt,
hält Kurs durch Gischt und Kalt.
Mann über Bord! Ein Ruf erklingt,
während Well' an die Planken springt.
Zu Haus', da hängt das Bord so schön,
mit Büchern drauf, man kann's gut sehn.
Ein stiller Platz, ganz ohne Gischt,
wo Wissen aufbewahrt man ist.
Translation:
The ship's edge (der Bord), rough and old,
Holds course through spray and cold.
Man overboard! A cry rings out,
While waves against the planks do clout.
At home, the shelf (das Bord) hangs beautifully,
With books on it, for all to see.
A quiet place, no sea spray near,
Where knowledge safely rests, it's clear.
🧩 Little Riddle
Ich habe einen Rand, doch bin kein Land.
Ich trage Last, oft an der Wand.
Auf Schiffen bin ich deine Seit',
als Regal biet' ich Platz jederzeit.
Was bin ich?
Translation:
I have an edge, but am no land.
I carry weight, often on the wall at hand.
On ships, I am your side nearby,
As a shelf, I offer space up high.
What am I?
(Solution: der/das Bord)
💡 Other Information
- Etymology: The word "Bord" comes from Middle Low German / Middle Dutch "bort" or "boort", which originally meant "edge" or "board". It is related to the English word "board".
- Compounds:
- With "der Bord": Steuerbord (starboard), Backbord (port), an Bord (on board), über Bord (overboard), Bordkante (curb, edge), Bordstein (curbstone), Bordell (brothel - originally a small plank house).
- With "das Bord": Armaturenbrett (dashboard), Bücherbord (bookshelf), Wandbord (wall shelf), Schleuderbrett (type of board used in water skiing), Schlüsselbord (key rack).
Summary: is it der, die or das Bord?
The noun "Bord" is either masculine (der Bord) when referring to an edge, rim, or the side of a vehicle (like a ship), or neuter (das Bord) when referring to a shelf.