der
Hang
⛰️ What does "der Hang" mean?
The German noun der Hang (masculine) has two main meanings:
-
Geographical meaning: A slope, a hillside, an embankment. It describes a piece of land that is not flat but ascends or descends.
Example: Der Hang war sehr steil zum Klettern. (The slope was very steep for climbing.)
-
Figurative meaning: An inclination, a tendency, a propensity, or a strong inner urge towards something. It often describes a character trait or a habit.
Example: Sie hat einen Hang zur Dramatik. (She has a tendency towards drama.)
⚠️ Pay attention to the context to figure out the intended meaning.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ang → almost always masculine.
🧐 Grammar of "der Hang" in Detail
Der Hang is a masculine noun. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der Hang | ein Hang |
| Genitive | des Hang(e)s | eines Hang(e)s |
| Dative | dem Hang(e) | einem Hang(e) |
| Accusative | den Hang | einen Hang |
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Hänge | Hänge |
| Genitive | der Hänge | Hänge |
| Dative | den Hängen | Hängen |
| Accusative | die Hänge | Hänge |
📝 Example Sentences
- (Geographical): Wir wanderten den steilen Hang hinauf.
(We hiked up the steep slope.) - (Geographical): Im Winter fahren wir Ski an diesem Hang.
(In winter, we ski on this slope.) - (Figurative): Er hat einen Hang dazu, Dinge aufzuschieben.
(He has a tendency to postpone things.) - (Figurative): Ihr Hang zur Perfektion ist manchmal anstrengend.
(Her penchant for perfection is sometimes exhausting.)
💡 Everyday Usage of Hang
Der Hang is used in various contexts:
- Geography & Nature: When talking about landscapes, mountains, hills, or even man-made embankments (e.g., along roads). (e.g., "Am Südhang wächst Wein." - Wine grows on the southern slope., "Vorsicht, der Hang ist rutschig!" - Careful, the slope is slippery!)
- Psychology & Character: To describe personality traits, preferences, habits, or tendencies. Often used with "zu" + Dative: einen Hang zu etwas haben (to have a tendency towards something). (e.g., "ein Hang zur Melancholie" - a tendency towards melancholy, "ein Hang zum Risiko" - a propensity for risk)
Distinction from similar words:
- Abhang (der): Very similar to the geographical meaning of Hang, often interchangeable. Hang can sometimes imply a gentler slope.
- Neigung (die): Can be used geographically (the inclination/gradient of the slope) and figuratively (similar to Hang). Hang often expresses a stronger, sometimes almost irrational tendency.
- Steigung (die): Refers more to the degree of ascent, the measure of inclination.
🧠 Mnemonics for "der Hang"
Remembering the article: Imagine a man (masculine = der) hanging onto a steep Hang (slope). Or think: DER strong Hiker is on DER Hang.
Remembering the meanings: Think about how you can physically slide down a Hang (meaning 1: slope), and how you can metaphorically 'slide' into or 'hang onto' a certain behavior or tendency (meaning 2: inclination). You 'hang' onto the habit or the slope.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar words):
⚠️ Similar Sounding Words:
- Hangar (der): A large building for housing aircraft. Sounds similar but has a completely different meaning and origin (French).
- hängen (verb): The verb from which Hang is derived. Means 'to hang', 'to be suspended', or 'to be attached/devoted to'.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum nehmen Skifahrer immer eine Leiter mit auf den Hang?
Damit sie auf die Piste steigen können! 😉
Translation: Why do skiers always take a ladder onto the slope (Hang)? — So they can 'climb' (steigen) onto the piste! (Wordplay: 'auf die Piste steigen' can mean 'to get on the piste' or literally 'climb onto the piste').
📜 Poem about "der Hang"
Am steilen Hang, wo Gräser weh'n,
kann man die Welt von oben seh'n.
Doch mancher Mensch, das ist bekannt,
hat einen Hang zum Unverstand.
Der eine rutscht den Berg hinab,
der andre hält die Tugend knapp.
So zeigt der Hang uns zweierlei:
Natur und menschlich Einerlei.
Translation:
On the steep slope (Hang), where grasses wave,
one can see the world from above.
But many a person, it is known,
has an inclination (Hang) towards foolishness.
One slides down the mountain,
the other barely holds onto virtue.
Thus the slope/inclination (Hang) shows us two things:
Nature and human sameness/routine.
🧩 Riddle
Ich bin nicht flach, ich fall' oft ab,
Mal sanft, mal steil, halt dich auf Trab.
Ich wohn' im Berg, doch auch im Sinn,
Zeig', wo dein Herz oft treibt dich hin.
Was bin ich?
Translation:
I'm not flat, I often drop off,
Sometimes gentle, sometimes steep, keep you on your toes.
I live in the mountain, but also in the mind,
Show where your heart often drives you.
What am I?
(Solution: der Hang)
ℹ️ Other Information
Word Formation (Wortbildung):
The noun der Hang is derived from the verb hängen (to hang). Originally, it likely referred only to the physical downward slope or inclination of a surface.
Related Terms (Verwandte Begriffe):
- Abhang (der): A downward slope.
- Überhang (der): Something that overhangs (like a cliff overhang) or a surplus (like a budget surplus).
- Zusammenhang (der): Connection, context, correlation.
- behängen (Verb): To cover or decorate something with many hanging objects.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Hang?
The word "Hang" is always masculine: der Hang. It means either a slope/hillside or an inclination/tendency towards something.