der
Bordeaux
🍷 What does "der Bordeaux" mean?
In German, der Bordeaux primarily refers to the red wine originating from the famous Bordeaux wine region in France. It denotes a specific type of wine known for its quality and character.
Less commonly, "Bordeaux" can be used as a short form for the city or region of Bordeaux itself, but usually without an article or in prepositional phrases (e.g., "Urlaub in Bordeaux" - holidays in Bordeaux). When specifically referring to the wine, the masculine article "der" is typically used.
⚠️ Note: The color Bordeaux red (bordeauxrot) is often simply called "Bordeaux", but grammatically it's mostly treated as an adjective or a neuter noun ("das Bordeaux[rot]"). The wine, however, is masculine: der Bordeaux.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Alcohol → almost always masculine.
🧐 Grammar of "der Bordeaux" in Detail
"Bordeaux" as a term for the wine is a masculine noun. It is mostly used in the singular.
Declension Table (Singular)
| Case | Masculine |
|---|---|
| Nominative | der Bordeaux |
| Genitive | des Bordeaux |
| Dative | dem Bordeaux |
| Accusative | den Bordeaux |
A plural form ("die Bordeaux") is very uncommon, as it refers to a specific type of wine. One would rather speak of "mehrere Flaschen Bordeaux" (several bottles of Bordeaux) or "verschiedene Bordeauxweine" (different Bordeaux wines).
📝 Example Sentences
- Er bestellte einen kräftigen Bordeaux zum Essen. (He ordered a full-bodied Bordeaux with his meal.)
- Die Qualität dieses Bordeaux ist hervorragend. (The quality of this Bordeaux is excellent.)
- Ich habe ihm einen guten Bordeaux empfohlen. (I recommended a good Bordeaux to him.)
- Kennst du diesen speziellen Bordeaux schon? (Do you already know this particular Bordeaux?)
💡 Using Bordeaux in Everyday Life
"Der Bordeaux" is mainly used in contexts related to wine:
- Dining and drinking: Ordering in a restaurant (im Restaurant), wine recommendations (Weinempfehlungen), describing wine.
- In the wine trade (im Weinhandel): Buying and selling, wine tastings (Weinproben), expert discussions.
- In gastronomy (in der Gastronomie): Wine lists (Weinkarten), staff training.
Although the color Bordeaux red exists, the noun "der Bordeaux" is almost exclusively used for the wine. When talking about the color, people usually say "Bordeauxrot" or "die Farbe Bordeaux".
The name derives directly from the French city and region of Bordeaux.
🧠 Mnemonics for "der Bordeaux"
Article Mnemonic: Think of wine in German: der Wein. Bordeaux is a famous wine, so it's der Bordeaux. Also, many alcoholic drinks are masculine in German (der Wein, der Sekt, der Schnaps).
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine paying a lot at the Border for this special deaux (sounds like 'dough' = money) - because good Bordeaux wine can be expensive and comes from France (across the border for Germany).
🔄 Synonyms & Similar Words
Synonyms (for the wine):
- Bordeauxwein (Bordeaux wine)
- Rotwein aus Bordeaux (Red wine from Bordeaux)
- (Rarer, more specific) Médoc, Saint-Émilion, Pomerol (as examples of Bordeaux wines)
Antonyms (in a broader sense):
- Weißwein (White wine)
- Roséwein (Rosé wine)
- Andere Rotweine (Other red wines, e.g., Burgunder, Chianti)
⚠️ Similar Terms:
- Burgunder: Another famous French wine (often red wine, der Burgunder - Burgundy wine), but from a different region (Burgundy/Burgund). Don't confuse them!
- Bordeauxrot: The color, not the wine.
😄 A Little Joke
DE: Fragt der Ober den Gast: "Möchten Sie einen Bordeaux zum Steak?" Antwortet der Gast: "Nein danke, ich fahre noch Auto. Geben Sie mir lieber einen Bord-AUX-Anschluss!"
EN: The waiter asks the guest: "Would you like a Bordeaux with your steak?" The guest replies: "No thanks, I still have to drive. I'd rather have an on-board AUX connection!" (This is a pun: Bordeaux sounds similar to "Bord-AUX" [on-board AUX socket in a car]).
📜 A Poem about the Wine
DE:
Ein Glas voll tiefem Rot,
Der Bordeaux, kein Verbot.
Aus Frankreich, edler Saft,
Verleiht dem Gaumen Kraft.
Ein Duft von Frucht und Holz,
Macht Kennerherzen stolz.
EN:
A glass full of deep red,
The Bordeaux, no dread.
From France, a noble juice,
Gives the palate its boost.
A scent of fruit and wood,
Makes connoisseurs feel good (lit. proud).
❓ Little Riddle
DE:
Ich komm' aus Frankreich, bin oft rot und schwer,
Man trinkt mich gern, mal weniger, mal mehr.
Mein Name klingt nach Stadt und Fluss,
Ich bin ein Wein, ein edler Genuss.
Wer bin ich?
... Der Bordeaux
EN:
I come from France, am often red and heavy,
People like to drink me, sometimes less, sometimes plenty.
My name sounds like a city and river near,
I am a wine, a noble pleasure dear.
Who am I?
... Der Bordeaux
💡 Other Information
Trivia: The Bordeaux wine region (die Weinregion Bordeaux) is one of the largest and most famous in the world. It's renowned for its red wine blends (Rotwein-Cuvées), primarily made from grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.
Word Composition: The name "Bordeaux" is a French place name (Toponym) directly adopted into German. It roughly means "along the edge of the water" (au bord de l'eau).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Bordeaux?
When referring to the wine from the French region, the correct form is der Bordeaux (masculine). The city or region itself is often used without an article or with a preposition.