der  Erdrutsch

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈeːɐ̯tˌʁʊtʃ/

🌍 What does "der Erdrutsch" mean?

The German word der Erdrutsch has two main meanings:

1. Literal Meaning (Geology/Nature): The sliding or falling of large masses of earth or rock on a slope or embankment. This is often a consequence of heavy rainfall, earthquakes, or human intervention.
   Example: Nach den heftigen Regenfällen kam es in den Bergen zu einem gefährlichen Erdrutsch. (After the heavy rains, a dangerous landslide occurred in the mountains.)
2. Figurative Meaning (Politics/Society): A sudden, comprehensive shift or drastic change, especially in elections when a party unexpectedly gains (Erdrutschsieg - landslide victory) or loses a large number of votes.
   Example: Die Wahl endete mit einem Erdrutsch für die Oppositionspartei. (The election ended in a landslide for the opposition party.)

⚠️ It is always a masculine noun: der Erdrutsch.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar & Declension: Der Erdrutsch

"Erdrutsch" is a masculine noun. It follows the strong declension pattern.

Example Sentences

• Der gewaltige Erdrutsch blockierte die Straße für Tage. (The huge landslide blocked the road for days.)
• Die Gefahr eines weiteren Erdrutsches ist noch nicht gebannt. (The danger of another landslide has not yet been averted.)
• Viele Häuser fielen dem Erdrutsch zum Opfer. (Many houses fell victim to the landslide.)
• Die Behörden warnten vor dem drohenden Erdrutsch. (The authorities warned of the impending landslide.)
• Nach dem Beben gab es zahlreiche Erdrutsche in der Region. (After the earthquake, there were numerous landslides in the region.)
• Die Beseitigung der Schäden der Erdrutsche wird Wochen dauern. (Clearing the damage from the landslides will take weeks.)

🗣️ Usage in Context

The use of der Erdrutsch depends heavily on the context:

• Literal: Used in news reports, geological summaries, warnings, or discussions about natural events and disasters. Often associated with words like Hang (slope), Berg (mountain), Regen (rain), Gefahr (danger), blockieren (to block), verschütten (to bury).
• Figurative: Mainly used in political or social discourse to describe dramatic changes or election results. Typical collocations include Erdrutschsieg (landslide victory), Erdrutschniederlage (landslide defeat), politischer Erdrutsch (political landslide), bei Wahlen (in elections).

Confusion is unlikely as the context is usually clear. Similar terms like Mure (mudflow, debris flow) or Steinschlag (rockfall) describe more specific events.

🧠 Mnemonics for "Erdrutsch"

Article Mnemonic: Think of DER (the masculine article) as representing the powerful, destructive force, like a strong male figure causing the slide: der Erdrutsch.

Meaning Mnemonic: Picture the Erde (earth) making a rutsch (slide or slip) down a hill. Or, in politics, picture a party rutsch-ing (sliding) dramatically up or down in the polls – a political Erdrutsch.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar, potentially misleading words:

• Steinschlag: Falling rocks, usually smaller scale than an Erdrutsch.
• Lawine: Avalanche, slide of snow or ice masses.

😂 A Little Joke

Ein Politiker fragt den anderen nach der Wahl: "Na, wie lief's?"
Antwortet der andere: "Nicht so gut. Die Wähler haben mir einen Denkzettel verpasst."
Fragt der erste: "Ach ja? Nur einen Zettel? Bei mir war's eher ein ganzer Erdrutsch an Zetteln!"

--- Translation ---

One politician asks another after the election: "Well, how did it go?"
The other replies: "Not so good. The voters taught me a lesson (lit. gave me a 'thought slip')."
The first asks: "Oh yeah? Just one slip? For me, it was more like a whole landslide of slips!"

📜 Poem about Erdrutsch

Der Hang, er bebt, die Erde dröhnt,
Ein Grollen, das die Stille höhnt.
Mit Macht und Wucht, es nimmt den Lauf,
Der Erdrutsch bricht als Schrecken auf.

Gestein und Schlamm, ein wilder Tanz,
Verändert jäh des Berges Glanz.
Auch im Getöse, laut und grell,
Rutscht Macht dahin, politisch schnell.

--- Translation ---

The slope, it trembles, the earth does drone,
A rumble that mocks the silence known.
With might and force, it takes its course,
The landslide breaks, a dreadful source.

Rock and mud, a wild dance arrayed,
Suddenly changing the mountain's grade.
Also in clamor, loud and bright,
Power slips fast, in political light.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich kann Berge versetzen, doch bin kein Riese.
Ich ändere Landschaften und manchmal die Krise.
Mal bin ich aus Erde, mal nur im Gerede,
Wenn Stimmen sich häufen nach wichtiger Rede.

Was bin ich?

--- Translation ---

I can move mountains, but am no giant.
I change landscapes and sometimes make things defiant (or: change the crisis).
Sometimes I'm made of earth, sometimes just talk that's stirred,
When votes pile high after an important word.

What am I?
(Answer: der Erdrutsch / the landslide)

➕ Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Erdrutsch" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Erde: Meaning 'earth', 'soil', or 'ground'.
• Rutsch: Derived from the verb "rutschen", meaning 'to slide' or 'to slip'.

Together, it literally describes the "sliding of the earth".

Trivia:

• Landslides (Erdrutsche) can be triggered by natural causes (rain, earthquakes, volcanism, thawing permafrost) or human activities (deforestation, construction, mining).
• The term "Erdrutschsieg" (landslide victory) is often used in media to describe a surprisingly clear election outcome.