der / das  Kamin

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/kaˈmiːn/

🔥 What Exactly is a Kamin?

The German word Kamin can have two different articles, indicating different meanings, although one is rarely used today:

📐 Grammar in Detail: Der or das Kamin?

The declension of Kamin depends on the article used.

Declension: der Kamin (Masculine - Fireplace/Chimney)

Declension: das Kamin (Neuter - Obsolete: Room)

⚠️ This form is very rare.

💡 Example Sentences

1. Der Kamin zieht nicht richtig, der Raum ist voller Rauch. (The chimney isn't drawing properly, the room is full of smoke. - referring to chimney/fireplace)
2. Wir brauchen Holz für den Kamin. (We need wood for the fireplace. - referring to fireplace)
3. Der Schornsteinfeger reinigt regelmäßig die Kamine der Stadt. (The chimney sweep regularly cleans the city's chimneys. - referring to chimneys)
4. (Obsolete) Sie zog sich in das Kamin zurück, um zu lesen. (She retreated to the room to read. - referring to room)

🗣️ How to Use Kamin?

In modern German, der Kamin is the overwhelmingly dominant form. It's used when talking about:

• Heating source: An open or closed fireplace as a source of warmth. "Machst du bitte den Kamin an?" (Could you please light the fireplace?)
• Coziness: The fireplace as a symbol of comfort and warmth. "Ein Abend vor dem Kamin ist entspannend." (An evening in front of the fireplace is relaxing.)
• Architecture: The chimney as part of a building. "Das Haus hat zwei Kamine." (The house has two chimneys.)

Das Kamin (neuter) for "room" or "chamber" is obsolete and practically unused in modern language. If you encounter it, it's likely in historical literature or very specific regional dialects.

Difference from Ofen and Herd:

• Ofen: Often a closed system for heating (Holzofen - wood stove, Pelletofen - pellet stove) or baking (Backofen - oven).
• Herd: Appliance for cooking, usually in the kitchen (stove/cooktop).
• Kamin: Typically a (often open) fireplace in the living area or the flue/chimney.

🧠 Mnemonics for Kamin

For the article (der Kamin): Think of the chimney sweep (der Schornsteinfeger) – often a man (der Mann) who climbs onto den Kamin. The chimney stands tall and strong, like something masculine (der).

For the meaning (fireplace/chimney): Imagine a fire saying "Come in!" (sounds a bit like Kamin) to the wood in the fireplace, and the smoke saying "Come out!" via the chimney.

The obsolete form "das Kamin" (room) usually doesn't need its own mnemonic due to its rarity. You could remember it as a neutral exception: das Zimmer (the room), das Gemach (the chamber) -> formerly also das Kamin.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

Der Kamin (Fireplace/Chimney)

Das Kamin (Obsolete: Room)

Synonyms:

• Zimmer (room)
• Gemach (chamber)
• Stube (living room/parlor - regional)
• Kammer (chamber/small room)

Similar, potentially confusing words:

• Kamel (das): camel - sounds vaguely similar.
• Kanin (das): rabbit fur.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der kleine Sohn den Vater: "Papa, glaubst du an den Weihnachtsmann?"
Vater: "Nein, mein Sohn."
Sohn: "Und warum stellst du dann jedes Jahr Kekse an den Kamin?"
Vater: "Das sind keine Kekse, das ist Kaminkitt!"

Translation:

The little son asks his father: "Dad, do you believe in Santa Claus?"
Father: "No, my son."
Son: "Then why do you put cookies by the fireplace every year?"
Father: "Those aren't cookies, that's fireplace cement!"

📜 Poem about the Kamin

Der Kamin, so warm und alt,
Im Winter trotzt er Frost und Kalt.
Sein Feuer tanzt mit hellem Schein,
Lädt uns zum Träumen herzlich ein.

Der Rauch steigt auf, zum Himmel weit,
Ein Zeichen von Behaglichkeit.
Am Abend vor dem Kaminrund,
Wird manche frohe Mär uns kund.

Translation:

The fireplace, so warm and old,
In winter, it defies frost and cold.
Its fire dances with bright light,
Inviting us to dream so right.

The smoke ascends to heavens vast,
A sign of coziness meant to last.
In evening by the fireplace's side,
Many happy tales confide.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich habe einen Mund, doch spreche nicht.
Ich schlucke Holz und spucke Licht.
Ich habe einen Hals, der ragt empor,
Und trage Rauch zum Himmelstor.

Was bin ich? ... Der Kamin

Translation:

I have a mouth, but do not speak.
I swallow wood and spit out light, so meek.
I have a neck that reaches high,
And carry smoke up to the sky.

What am I? ... The fireplace/chimney (Der Kamin)

🧩 Other Information

Etymology: The word "Kamin" comes from the Latin caminus, meaning "oven" or "hearth". This, in turn, derives from the Greek word káminos (κάμινος) with a similar meaning.

Types of Fireplaces (Kaminarten): There are various types of fireplaces, e.g.:

• Offener Kamin (open fireplace - traditional, less heat-efficient)
• Heizkamin (closed fireplace - with glass pane, higher efficiency)
• Kaminofen (fireplace stove - freestanding, often cast iron or steel)
• Elektrokamin (electric fireplace - simulates fire electrically)
• Gaskamin (gas fireplace - burns gas)