der  First

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɪʁst/

🏠⛰️ What exactly is a 'First'?

The word der First (masculine) has two main meanings in German:

• In construction/architecture: The highest point of a roof, specifically the upper edge where two roof surfaces meet. This is also called the Dachfirst (roof ridge).
  Example: Die Firstziegel schützen den First vor Regen. (The ridge tiles protect the ridge from rain.)
• In geography/mountaineering: The summit or highest point of a mountain or mountain range. This meaning is somewhat more formal or poetic.
  Example: Sie erreichten den First des Berges nach einem langen Aufstieg. (They reached the summit of the mountain after a long climb.)

🚨 Attention: The meaning "summit" is less common in everyday language than "roof ridge".

📊 Grammar of 'der First' in Detail

Der First is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

1. (Roof ridge) Der Zimmermann arbeitet am First des neuen Hauses.
   (The carpenter is working on the ridge of the new house.)
2. (Roof ridge) Vom First hat man einen guten Überblick über die Umgebung.
   (From the ridge, one has a good overview of the surroundings.)
3. (Mountain summit) Der Adler kreiste über dem eisigen First des Gebirges.
   (The eagle circled above the icy summit of the mountain range.)
4. (Mountain summit) Die Sonne beleuchtete die schneebedeckten Firste der Alpen.
   (The sun illuminated the snow-covered summits/ridges of the Alps.)

💡 How to Use 'der First'?

Context is key!

• Dachfirst (Roof ridge): Mainly used in the context of construction, architecture, and home building. Tradespeople (roofers, carpenters) and architects use this term regularly. It can also be found in real estate descriptions.
• Berggipfel (Mountain summit): This meaning is less common and tends to appear in literary, poetic, or geographical descriptions. In normal conversation about mountains, you would more likely use der Gipfel (the summit) or die Spitze (the peak).

Comparison:

• Der First vs. Der Gipfel: While Gipfel is the standard term for the highest point of a mountain, First often sounds more elevated or sometimes refers to a longer ridge (Bergkamm).
• Der First vs. Die Traufe: Die Traufe is the lower edge of the roof (the eaves), the opposite of der First.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der First'

Article Mnemonic (der): Think of the roofer, der Mann (the man), standing right at the top on der First. It's the man on the ridge.

Meaning Mnemonic (Ridge/Summit): First sounds like the English word "first". The Dachfirst is the first (highest) part you see on a roof. The Bergfirst is the first point you aim to reach when climbing.

↔️ Opposites and Alternatives: Der First

⚠️ Similar Words: Do not confuse with die Frist (deadline, period of time).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Dachdecker immer gute Laune?
Weil er die Dinge von oben sieht und immer auf dem First Class Platz sitzt! 😉

(Why is the roofer always in a good mood?
Because he sees things from above and always sits in the First Class seat!)

📜 A Poem about the First

Der Wind weht rau am Dachesrand,
Wo Ziegel fest in Reih' und Band.
Ganz oben thront, stolz und erhaben,
Der First, von Stürmen oft umgraben.

Auch Berge tragen stolz den Namen,
Wo Adler ihre Kreise bahnen.
Der First, ein Ziel für Mut und Kraft,
Hat manchen Wanderer geschafft.

(The wind blows rough at the roof's edge,
Where tiles stand firm in row and pledge.
Enthroned on high, proud and sublime,
The ridge, oft weathered by storm and time.)

(Mountains too bear this proud name,
Where eagles circle in their game.
The summit/ridge, a goal for courage, might,
Has challenged many a hiker's flight.)

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich bin der höchste Punkt vom Haus,
Schau über alles weit hinaus.
Auch Berge tragen meinen Namen,
Wenn Kletterer zum Gipfel kamen.

Wer bin ich?
... Der First

(I am the highest point of the house,
Looking out over everything, far and wide.
Mountains also bear my name,
When climbers reached the summit's side.)

(Who am I?
... Der First (The ridge/summit))

🧐 More Interesting Facts

Etymology: The word "First" comes from the Old High German word "first", which meant something like "highest", "topmost", or "gable". It is related to the English word "first".

Compounds (Wortzusammensetzungen):

• Der Firstziegel: A specially shaped tile for the roof ridge (ridge tile).
• Die Firstpfette: The uppermost longitudinal beam in the roof structure that supports the ridge (ridge purlin/beam).