der
Jackpot
💰 What does "der Jackpot" mean?
Der Jackpot (masculine noun) in German primarily refers to:
- The main prize or the highest amount of winnings in lotteries, gambling games, or competitions. This sum often accumulates until it is won.
- Figuratively, a stroke of great luck, a bullseye, or an unexpectedly huge success in any situation.
It's a loanword from English (Jackpot) that is firmly established in German.
📊 Grammar in Detail: Der Jackpot
The word "Jackpot" is a masculine noun. It uses the article der.
Singular Declension
| Case | Article | Noun | (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Jackpot | the Jackpot |
| Genitive | des | Jackpots | of the Jackpot |
| Dativ | dem | Jackpot | to/for the Jackpot |
| Akkusativ | den | Jackpot | the Jackpot |
Plural Declension
| Case | Article | Noun | (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Jackpots | the Jackpots |
| Genitive | der | Jackpots | of the Jackpots |
| Dativ | den | Jackpots | to/for the Jackpots |
| Akkusativ | die | Jackpots | the Jackpots |
📝 Example Sentences
- Er hat letzte Woche den Jackpot im Lotto geknackt.
(He hit the jackpot in the lottery last week.) - Mit diesem neuen Job hat sie wirklich den Jackpot gewonnen.
(With this new job, she really hit the jackpot.) - Der aktuelle Jackpot steht bei über 10 Millionen Euro.
(The current jackpot is over 10 million Euros.) - Alle Spieler hoffen auf den großen Jackpot.
(All players hope for the big jackpot.)
🎯 Usage and Context
The term der Jackpot is very commonly used in the context of games of chance like Lotto (lottery), Spielautomaten (slot machines), or poker.
- Gambling: "Den Jackpot knacken" (to crack the jackpot) is a fixed phrase for winning the main prize.
- Figurative Meaning: People also speak metaphorically of a jackpot when someone experiences unexpected great luck or success, e.g., in finding a partner ("Mit ihr/ihm hat er/sie den Jackpot geknackt." - With her/him, he/she hit the jackpot.) or in their career ("Diese Idee war der absolute Jackpot für die Firma." - This idea was the absolute jackpot for the company.).
Compared to the German word "Hauptgewinn" (main prize), "Jackpot" often sounds more modern and international.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article 'der'
Think of 'der' as in "Derminator" (Terminator) - a strong, masculine figure who wins the big prize, der Jackpot. Strength relates to the masculine article.
Meaning 'Main Prize/Stroke of Luck'
Imagine "Jack" found a huge "Pot" of gold - that's the Jackpot, the ultimate prize or piece of luck.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Words)
- Hauptgewinn: (Main prize) Direct equivalent, often used for lotteries.
- Hauptpreis: (First prize) Similar to Hauptgewinn, used in competitions.
- Volltreffer: (Bullseye, direct hit) Emphasizes hitting the exact target, often used figuratively.
- Glücksgriff: (Lucky find/choice) Emphasizes chance and luck in a good choice/decision.
- Großes Los: (Big prize/draw) Phrase for a great stroke of luck (e.g., "das große Los ziehen" - to draw the winning ticket).
Antonyms (Opposites)
- Niete: (Blank, losing ticket) A lottery ticket with no prize.
- Pech: (Bad luck) The opposite of luck.
- Verlust: (Loss) The opposite of a win.
- Fehlschlag: (Failure, flop) An unsuccessful attempt.
⚠️ Risk of Confusion
No direct risk of confusion is known in German, as it is a very specific loanword.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Lottogewinner aufgehört zu arbeiten?
Er dachte, nach dem Jackpot sei jeder andere Job nur noch eine Niete!
(Why did the lottery winner quit his job?
He thought that after the jackpot, every other job was just a losing ticket!)
📜 Poem about the Jackpot
Die Kugel rollt, die Zahl erscheint,
Ein Traum, der lang ersehnt, nun keimt.
Sechs Richtige, welch ein Geschick,
Der Jackpot bringt das große Glück!
Millionen schwer, das Herz, es lacht,
Ein neues Leben über Nacht.
(The ball rolls, the number appears,
A dream long hoped for now appears.
Six correct numbers, what a fate,
The Jackpot brings luck, truly great!
Millions heavy, the heart laughs bright,
A new life starting overnight.)
🧩 Little Riddle
Ich bin der Traum von Spielern weit und breit,
wachse oft über lange Zeit.
Man knackt mich gern im Lotto oder Spiel,
wer mich gewinnt, erreicht sein Ziel.
Was bin ich?
(I am the dream of players far and wide,
Often growing over a long tide.
People like to crack me in lottery or game,
Whoever wins me, achieves their aim.
What am I?)
Solution: Der Jackpot
ℹ️ Additional Information
Word Origin: The word "Jackpot" comes from English. It likely originated in the 19th century in the context of poker games. The "pot" (ante) would grow until a player held a pair of Jacks or better to open the betting and potentially win the pot.
Prevalence: As an Anglicism, "Jackpot" is very common in German and widely understood, especially in the context of gambling and large winnings.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Jackpot?
The German word "Jackpot" is masculine. The correct article is der. So, you say: der Jackpot, des Jackpots, dem Jackpot, den Jackpot.