der  Brunnen

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈbʁʊnən/

💧 What does "der Brunnen" mean?

The German word der Brunnen primarily has two meanings:

1. Well (water source): An artificial or natural shaft dug into the ground to access groundwater. Historically, a vital installation in villages and towns. Example: Die Dorfbewohner holten ihr Wasser am alten Brunnen. (The villagers got their water from the old well.)
2. Fountain (decorative): An often artistically designed structure (usually in cities, parks, or gardens) where water is sprayed or collected in a basin for decoration. Example: Auf dem Marktplatz steht ein wunderschöner Brunnen mit Figuren. (There is a beautiful fountain with figures on the market square.)

⚠️ Note: Although both meanings exist, in everyday conversation, people often associate der Brunnen with a decorative fountain unless specified otherwise.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar in Detail: Der Brunnen

The noun "Brunnen" is masculine. Its article is der.

Declension of "der Brunnen"

Here's how 'der Brunnen' changes in the different grammatical cases (Fälle):

Example Sentences

• Der alte Brunnen im Hof ist versiegt. (The old well in the courtyard has run dry.) - Nominative Singular
• Das Rauschen des Brunnens beruhigt mich. (The sound of the fountain/well calms me.) - Genitive Singular
• Wir trafen uns an dem Brunnen auf dem Platz. (We met at the fountain on the square.) - Dative Singular
• Die Stadt restauriert den Brunnen. (The city is restoring the fountain.) - Accusative Singular
• Viele Städte haben schöne Brunnen in ihren Zentren. (Many cities have beautiful fountains in their centers.) - Nominative/Accusative Plural
• Das Plätschern der Brunnen erfüllte die Luft. (The splashing of the fountains filled the air.) - Genitive Plural
• An den Brunnen sammelten sich Touristen. (Tourists gathered at the fountains.) - Dative Plural

⛲ How to use "der Brunnen"?

"Der Brunnen" is used depending on the context:

• Historical/Rural: When talking about water supply, "der Brunnen" often refers to a Ziehbrunnen (draw well) or a Grundwasserquelle (groundwater source). Example: "Am Dorfbrunnen wurde früher der neueste Klatsch ausgetauscht." (At the village well, the latest gossip used to be exchanged.)
• Urban/Decorative: In parks, squares, or gardens, "der Brunnen" usually means a Zierbrunnen (ornamental fountain) or Springbrunnen (fountain, lit. 'jumping well'). Example: "Die Kinder spielten am Springbrunnen." (The children played by the fountain.)
• Figurative: Less commonly, "Brunnen" can be used metaphorically for a source of something (e.g., "Brunnen der Weisheit" - fountain/well of wisdom), but "die Quelle" (the source) is more common here.

Difference from "Quelle": While "der Brunnen" often refers to a man-made or at least contained structure for water extraction or display, "die Quelle" denotes the natural point where water emerges from the earth.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Brunnen"

For the article "der": Think of a big, strong builder constructing der Brunnen. Or: Imagine the well is deep, and you need a strong guy (der Mann) to pull the water up.

For the meaning: Imagine water *burning* up from the ground (like a spring) - it *burns* in a Brunnen. (Sounds a bit like 'burn'). Or think of the *brown* earth you dig through to make a Brunnen.

🔄 Related and Opposite Words

Synonyms (Similar Words):

• For water source (well): die Quelle (source), der Sod(en) (well, archaic), der Ziehbrunnen (draw well), der Schachtbrunnen (shaft well)
• For decorative fountain: der Springbrunnen (fountain), der Zierbrunnen (ornamental fountain), die Fontäne (fountain/jet), das Wasserspiel (water feature)

Antonyms (Opposites):

Direct antonyms are difficult. Depending on context, you could consider:

• To the water source: die Wüste (desert - place without water), die Trockenheit (drought/dryness)
• To the water flow: der Staudamm (dam - holds water back), das stehende Gewässer (stagnant water - opposite of a flowing/spraying fountain)

Potential Confusions:

• Die Bronchien: The bronchi (part of the lungs, plural) - sounds vaguely similar.
• Braun: The color brown.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum werfen Leute Münzen in den Brunnen?
(Why do people throw coins into the fountain?)

Weil sie hoffen, dass ihre Wünsche "flüssig" werden! 😉
(Because they hope their wishes become "liquid"! - It's a pun: "flüssig" means liquid, but "flüssig sein" also means to be solvent/have cash.)

📜 A Little Poem

Am Marktplatz kühl und alt,
Der Brunnen Geschichten erzählt.
Sein Wasser plätschert leis und klar,
Ein Treffpunkt, Jahr für Jahr.

Mal Zierde, stolz und fein,
Mal Quell für durst'gen Schein.
Der Brunnen steht, ein stummer Gast,
Der Menschen Freud und Last erfasst.

Translation:

On the market square, cool and old,
The fountain/well tells stories untold.
Its water splashes soft and clear,
A meeting place, year after year.

Sometimes ornate, proud and fine,
Sometimes a source for thirsty sign.
The fountain/well stands, a silent guest,
Capturing people's joy and test (burden).

🤔 Little Riddle

Ich habe einen Mund, doch spreche nicht.
Ich gebe Wasser, doch trinke nicht.
Man wirft mir Münzen zu für Glück,
Und holt das kühle Nass zurück.

Was bin ich?

Translation:

I have a mouth, but do not speak.
I give water, but do not drink.
People throw coins to me for luck,
And fetch the cool wetness back.

What am I?
... Der Brunnen (The well / fountain)

✨ More about "der Brunnen"

Word Compounds (Wortzusammensetzungen): "Brunnen" is part of many compound words describing its function or location:

• Ziehbrunnen: Draw well (well from which water is drawn up with a bucket).
• Springbrunnen: Fountain (where water springs up).
• Dorfbrunnen: Village well.
• Wunschbrunnen: Wishing well (like the Trevi Fountain in Rome).
• Brunnenvergifter: Well poisoner (historically a serious crime, now used figuratively for someone who spreads malice or rumors).

Etymology: The word "Brunnen" (Old High German "brunno") is related to "brennen" (to burn) in the sense of the water "welling up, bubbling".