der
Durchschnitt
📊 What does "der Durchschnitt" mean?
The German word der Durchschnitt primarily has two meanings:
- Mathematical Average / Mean: This is the most common meaning. *Der Durchschnitt* is the result you get when you divide the sum of a set of numbers by the count of numbers in the set. It represents a typical or central value. A synonym is *der Mittelwert*.
- Cross-section: This meaning refers to the surface exposed when an object is cut through. You are literally looking "through the cut" (*durch den Schnitt*).
- Figurative Meaning: It can also refer to a person or thing that exhibits typical, average characteristics, without standing out (e.g., *der Durchschnittsbürger* - *the average citizen*).
The word only takes the masculine article der. 🚨 It's important to note the plural form (*die Durchschnitte* - see grammar).
📐 Grammar in Detail: Der Durchschnitt
The noun "Durchschnitt" is masculine. Here is its declension:
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | der | Durchschnitt |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des | Durchschnitt(e)s |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem | Durchschnitt(e) |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | den | Durchschnitt |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Durchschnitte |
| Genitive | der | Durchschnitte |
| Dative | den | Durchschnitten |
| Accusative | die | Durchschnitte |
Example Sentences 📝
- Der Durchschnitt dieser Zahlen ist 5. (The average of these numbers is 5. - Meaning: mean)
- Das Ergebnis liegt über dem Durchschnitt. (The result is above average. - Meaning: mean)
- Wir berechneten den Durchschnitt aller Testergebnisse. (We calculated the average of all test results. - Meaning: mean)
- Der Durchschnitt des Baumstammes zeigt die Jahresringe. (The cross-section of the tree trunk shows the growth rings. - Meaning: cross-section)
- Die Durchschnitte der verschiedenen Gruppen wurden verglichen. (The averages of the different groups were compared. - Meaning: means)
💡 How to Use "Durchschnitt"
"Der Durchschnitt" is commonly used in mathematical, statistical, and everyday contexts.
- Im Durchschnitt: A very frequent phrase meaning "on average". Example: "Im Durchschnitt schlafen Erwachsene 7-8 Stunden pro Nacht." (On average, adults sleep 7-8 hours per night.)
- Über/Unter dem Durchschnitt: Used to compare values, meaning "above/below average". Example: "Sein Gehalt liegt weit über dem Durchschnitt." (His salary is far above average.)
- Der Durchschnittsbürger / die Durchschnittsfamilie: Refers to a typical, representative person or family without special characteristics, often slightly stereotypical. *Translates to "the average citizen / the average family".*
- Im Querschnitt: Used when the meaning is "cross-section". Example: "Im Querschnitt erkennt man die verschiedenen Schichten des Materials." (In cross-section, you can see the different layers of the material.)
⚠️ Avoid confusing *Durchschnitt* with *Schnitt*, which more generally means a cut, an incision, or even a film edit. *Durchschnitt* is more specific to averages or cross-sections.
🧠 Mnemonics for "Durchschnitt"
Remembering the Article (der)
Imagine DER math professoR calculating the average grade (*Durchschnitt*). Or: You cut through (durch) something and see DER coRe / DER cross-section. The 'R' sound connects to 'der'.
Remembering the Meaning
To find the average, you make a metaphorical cut (Schnitt) through (durch) all the values to find the middle. For the other meaning, you look through (durch) the cut (Schnitt) to see the cross-section.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Words
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Mittelwert: (Very common) Direct equivalent for the mathematical average/mean.
- Mittel: (More general) Can mean average, e.g., *im Mittel* (on average).
- Querschnitt: (Specific) Synonym for the 'cross-section' meaning.
- Normalwert: (Normal value) Refers to a usual or expected value, often in a medical context.
Potential Confusion ⚠️
😄 A Little Joke
DE: Warum ist der Durchschnittswert so schlecht im Versteckspiel?
Weil er immer irgendwo in der Mitte ist!
EN: Why is the average value so bad at hide-and-seek?
Because it's always somewhere in the middle!
📜 Poetry about Average
DE:
Mal hoch, mal tief, das Leben schwankt,
doch zählt man alles, unumrankt,
und teilt es dann durch Zahl und Zeit,
zeigt der Durchschnitt seine Mittigkeit.
Kein Extrem, kein lauter Schrei,
einfach nur das Einerlei?
Nein, er zeigt, was üblich ist,
ein Maßstab, den man nie vergisst.
EN:
Sometimes high, sometimes low, life fluctuates,
but count it all, unadorned,
and divide it then by number and time,
the average shows its middle clime.
No extreme, no loud cry,
just the mundane passing by?
No, it shows what's common fare,
a benchmark beyond compare.
❓ Who am I?
DE:
Ich liege stets in der Mitte, wenn man Zahlen addiert und teilt.
Manchmal zeige ich, was innen liegt, wenn man ein Objekt entzweit.
Mal bin ich Maßstab, mal nur Norm,
ich habe eine männliche Form.
Wer bin ich?
Lösung: der Durchschnitt
EN:
I always lie in the middle, when numbers are added and divided.
Sometimes I show what's inside, when an object is divided.
Sometimes I'm a benchmark, sometimes just the norm,
I have a masculine form.
Who am I?
Solution: der Durchschnitt (the average / cross-section)
🧩 More to Know
Word Composition
The word "Durchschnitt" is composed of:
- durch (preposition/adverb): Indicates movement 'through' something.
- Schnitt (noun): Derived from the verb "schneiden" (to cut), meaning the act of cutting or the result of it (a cut).
The combination figuratively describes "cutting through" a set of values (to find the middle/average) or "cutting through" an object (to see the cross-section).
Summary: is it der, die or das Durchschnitt?
The word "Durchschnitt" is always masculine. The correct form is: der Durchschnitt.