der
Höchststand
📈 What does 'der Höchststand' mean?
Der Höchststand refers to the highest level, value, or point reached for something measurable. It signifies the peak or record high in a development or measurement series.
Examples of contexts:
- 📊 Stock market prices (der Höchststand einer Aktie - the record high of a stock)
- 🌡️ Temperatures (der Höchststand im Juli - the record high in July)
- 🌊 Water levels (der Höchststand des Rheins - the peak level of the Rhine)
- 🏆 Records (der Höchststand an Toren in einer Saison - the record number of goals in a season)
It is a masculine noun and is always used with the article 'der'. There are no different meanings based on different articles.
📐 Grammar in Detail: Der Höchststand
Der Höchststand is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Höchststand |
| Genitive | des | Höchststand(e)s |
| Dative | dem | Höchststand(e) |
| Accusative | den | Höchststand |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Höchststände |
| Genitive | der | Höchststände |
| Dative | den | Höchstständen |
| Accusative | die | Höchststände |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der Aktienindex erreichte gestern einen neuen Höchststand.
(The stock index reached a new record high yesterday.) - Wir beobachten den Höchststand des Wasserpegels mit Sorge.
(We are observing the peak water level with concern.) - Der bisherige Höchststand der Temperatur lag bei 38 Grad Celsius.
(The previous record high temperature was 38 degrees Celsius.) - Nach Erreichen des Höchststandes fielen die Kurse wieder.
(After reaching the peak level, the prices fell again.) - Die Firma meldete neue Höchststände bei Umsatz und Gewinn.
(The company reported new record highs for revenue and profit.)
📌 When to use 'Höchststand'?
Der Höchststand is used to describe the absolute peak value on a scale or over a period of time.
- Economy & Finance: Very common in relation to stock prices, indices, prices, production figures, or profits. Example: "Der DAX markierte einen historischen Höchststand." (The DAX marked a historic record high.)
- Statistics & Data: Describing maximum values in data sets, e.g., population figures, visitor numbers. Example: "Die Arbeitslosenquote erreichte ihren Höchststand im Januar." (The unemployment rate reached its peak in January.)
- Nature & Environment: Indicating maximum water levels of rivers, snow depths, or temperature values. Example: "Nach tagelangem Regen erreichte der Fluss seinen Höchststand." (After days of rain, the river reached its peak level.)
- Sports: Describing record performances, although 'Rekord' (record) or 'Bestmarke' (best mark) are often used here as well.
Unlike 'das Maximum', which often describes a theoretical or possible highest value, 'der Höchststand' usually refers to an actually reached, observed value.
🧠 Mnemonics
For the article 'der': Think of DER peak or DER mountain – both are masculine in German concepts and represent a high point, just like DER Höchststand.
For the meaning: Imagine you are standing (like 'Stand' in the word) at the highest ('höchst-') point on a scale or mountain. That's the Höchststand – it doesn't get higher (in that measurement).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Höchststand
Synonyms:
- Maximum (das): Often interchangeable, but 'Maximum' can also be theoretical.
- Rekordwert (der): Emphasizes breaking previous limits (record value).
- Gipfel (der): More figurative, often for the climax of a development (peak, summit).
- Spitze (die): Similar to Gipfel, often in the context of rankings (top, peak).
- Zenit (der): The highest point, often used figuratively (e.g., the zenith of a career).
⚠️ Similar Words:
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Bergsteiger seinen Wecker auf den Gipfel mitgenommen?
Damit er den Höchststand nicht verschläft!
(Why did the mountaineer take his alarm clock to the summit?
So he wouldn't oversleep the record high / peak!)
📜 Poem about the Peak
Die Zahl steigt, immer weiter,
Kein Halten, froh und heiter.
Der Graph klettert, ganz gewandt,
Erreicht ist nun der Höchststand.
Ob Aktie, Pegel oder Grad,
Der höchste Wert steht parat.
Ein Punkt, den man bewundert,
Bevor die Kurve plundert.
(The number rises, ever further,
No stopping, happy and brighter.
The graph climbs, quite deftly,
Now reached is the record high.
Whether stock, level, or degree,
The highest value is ready.
A point that one admires,
Before the curve expires (or plummets).)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin ein Punkt, doch keine Pause,
Bin oft in der Wirtschaft zuhause.
Ob Wasser, Preis, ob Temperatur,
Ich zeige die Spitze nur.
Man misst mich gern, doch fall ich bald,
Mein Gegenteil ist bitterkalt (oder niedrig).
Was bin ich?
(I am a point, but not a pause,
I'm often found in economic laws.
Whether water, price, or temperature's flight,
I only show the greatest height.
People like to measure me, but soon I fall,
My opposite is cold (or low) for all.
What am I?)
Solution: der Höchststand (the record high / peak level)
🧩 Additional Information
Word Composition:
The word 'Höchststand' is a compound noun, composed of:
- höchst-: Superlative of the adjective 'hoch' (high). It means 'highest'.
- Stand (der): Means state, level, position, or standing.
Together, the meaning is: the highest reached state/level/position.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Höchststand?
The word 'Höchststand' is a masculine noun and always takes the article der. It refers to the highest point or value reached (e.g., for prices, water levels, temperatures). The plural is 'die Höchststände'.