der  Jasmin

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/jasˈmiːn/

👃 What exactly is 'der Jasmin'?

Der Jasmin refers to a genus of plants in the olive family (Oleaceae). These plants are primarily known for their intensely fragrant, usually white or yellow flowers.

It is a masculine noun. Using a different article (die or das) is incorrect in this context 🚨.

• Meaning 1: The plant itself (a shrub or climbing plant).
• Meaning 2: The characteristic scent of jasmine flowers.

🧐 Grammar: Declining 'Jasmin'

The word 'Jasmin' is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

1. Der Jasmin im Garten blüht wunderschön. (The jasmine in the garden is blooming beautifully.)
2. Der Duft des Jasmins erfüllt den ganzen Raum. (The scent of the jasmine fills the whole room.)
3. Ich habe dem Jasmin neuen Dünger gegeben. (I gave the jasmine new fertilizer.)
4. Siehst du den blühenden Jasmin dort drüben? (Do you see the blooming jasmine over there?)
5. Im Sommer erfreuen uns die vielen Jasmine mit ihrem Duft. (In summer, the many jasmines delight us with their scent.)

Everyday Usage of 'der Jasmin'

'Der Jasmin' is primarily used to refer to the plant or its characteristic scent. You'll find the term in contexts like gardening, botany, perfumery, and sometimes culinary arts (e.g., Jasmintee - jasmine tea).

• Garden & Botany: Describing the plant, care instructions.
• Perfumery: Describing fragrance notes in perfumes or cosmetics.
• Culinary: Jasmintee, sometimes used for flavoring dishes.

It's important not to confuse 'der Jasmin' (the plant/scent) with the female given name 'Jasmin' (which would be die Jasmin), although both share the same origin.

Memory Aids

Article 'der': Think of 'der Garten' (the garden, masculine) where der Jasmin often grows. While the ending '-in' often suggests feminine nouns in German, this is an exception. You can also associate it with 'der Duft' (the scent, masculine) that the plant emits.

Meaning (Plant/Scent): Imagine standing in der Garten on der Sommertag (the summer day, masculine) and der süße Duft (the sweet scent, masculine) of a white flower, der Jasmin, wafts towards you.

Similar and Opposite Terms

Potential Confusion ⚠️

• Die Jasmin: The female first name.
• Other white-flowering, fragrant plants like Gardenie (die Gardenie - gardenia) or Pfeifenstrauch (der Pfeifenstrauch - mock orange, often called 'False Jasmine').

A Little Joke

German: Fragt eine Blume die andere: „Glaubst du an Liebe auf den ersten Riecher?“ Sagt die Jasminblüte: „Na klar, ich bin doch unwiderstehlich duftend!“ 😄
English: One flower asks another: "Do you believe in love at first sniff?" The jasmine flower replies: "Of course, I'm irresistibly fragrant!" 😄

Little Poem about Jasmine

German:
Der Jasmin, so weiß und rein,
verströmt bei Nacht den süßen Schein.
Ein Duft, der sanft die Luft durchweht,
und leis' von fernen Ländern fleht.

English Translation:
The jasmine, so white and pure,
At night exudes its sweet allure.
A scent that gently fills the air,
And softly pleads of lands afar.

Who or What Am I?

German:
Ich kletter' hoch, an Mauern sacht,
trag' Blüten weiß in Sommernacht.
Mein Duft ist süß, betört die Sinn',
sag schnell, wer oder was ich bin?

English:
I climb up high, on walls so slight,
bear flowers white in summer night.
My scent is sweet, bewitches senses keen,
tell me quickly, who or what I've been?

(Solution: der Jasmin / the jasmine)

Interesting Facts about Jasmin

• Origin: The name 'Jasmin' originally comes from Persian (yasamin).
• Symbolism: Jasmine flowers often symbolize love, beauty, purity, and happiness.
• Jasminöl (Jasmine Oil): The essential oil is highly valued in aromatherapy and perfumery but is very expensive to produce.