der  Kontakt

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/kɔnˈtakt/

🤝 What does "der Kontakt" mean?

The German word der Kontakt (plural: die Kontakte) describes a connection or touch between people, things, or even abstract concepts. It can refer to various types of connections:

• Social connection: The relationship or exchange between people (e.g., freundschaftlicher Kontakt - friendly contact).
• Physical touch: Direct touching or spatial proximity (e.g., Hautkontakt - skin contact, elektrischer Kontakt - electrical contact).
• Communication link: The exchange of information, often via technical means (e.g., telefonischer Kontakt - telephone contact, E-Mail-Kontakt - email contact).
• Business connection: Relationships in a professional context (e.g., Geschäftskontakt - business contact).

🚨 Important: The noun is masculine, so it's always der Kontakt.

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: "der Kontakt"

Kontakt is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:

Singular Declension

⚠️ The Dative singular form dem Kontakte is dated or formal; dem Kontakt is commonly used today.

Plural Declension

Example Sentences

1. Wir sollten den Kontakt nicht abreißen lassen. (We shouldn't let contact break off.)
2. Der Kontakt zur Außenwelt war unterbrochen. (Contact with the outside world was interrupted.)
3. Ich habe viele nützliche Kontakte auf der Messe geknüpft. (I made many useful contacts at the trade fair.)
4. Dank seiner Kontakte fand er schnell einen Job. (Thanks to his contacts, he quickly found a job.)
5. Die Reparatur des Geräts erforderte die Überprüfung jedes einzelnen Kontakts. (Repairing the device required checking every single contact (point).)

🗣️ Using "Kontakt" in Context

Kontakt is a very common word. Here are some typical phrases and contexts:

• Kontakt aufnehmen/herstellen: to establish contact / get in touch. Example: Ich werde nächste Woche Kontakt mit dem Kundenservice aufnehmen. (I will contact customer service next week.)
• Kontakt haben/halten: to be in contact / keep in touch. Example: Wir haben seit der Schulzeit Kontakt gehalten. (We have kept in touch since school.)
• in Kontakt treten/kommen: to get in touch / make contact. Example: Wie sind Sie mit dem Unternehmen in Kontakt getreten? (How did you get in touch with the company?)
• in Kontakt bleiben: to stay in touch. Example: Lass uns in Kontakt bleiben! (Let's stay in touch!)
• den Kontakt abbrechen/verlieren: to break off/lose contact. Example: Nach dem Streit haben sie den Kontakt abgebrochen. (They broke off contact after the argument.)
• persönlicher/direkter Kontakt: personal/direct contact (face-to-face).
• enger Kontakt: close contact (can mean a close relationship or physical proximity, relevant e.g., for infectious diseases).
• flüchtiger Kontakt: brief/fleeting contact.

In a technical sense, Kontakt often refers to a point where electricity can flow (e.g., Wackelkontakt - loose connection/contact).

🧠 Memory Aids for "der Kontakt"

Article Mnemonic (der): Think of "der connector" – both end in 'r' and establish a Kontakt. Or imagine *the* (der) man initiating *contact*. Masculine words often relate to action or defined things, like making *der Kontakt*.

Meaning Mnemonic: It sounds very much like the English "contact". Imagine two things coming together with a *tack!* sound – they make Kontakt. The final 't' helps remember the idea of touch or connection.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Kontakt

⚠️ Be careful with Termin: A Termin is an *appointment* or *deadline*. It might involve contact, but isn't the same thing.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat das WLAN nie guten Kontakt zur Kaffeemaschine?

Weil es immer nur "Filterkaffee" versteht! 😉

(Why does the WiFi never have good contact with the coffee machine? Because it only understands "Filterkaffee"! - Play on words: "Filter" as in network filter and coffee filter.)

✍️ Poem about Kontakt

Ein Funke springt, ein leises Wort,
Der Kontakt entsteht an diesem Ort.
Mal nah, mal fern, mal fest, mal lose,
Ein Netz gesponnen, zart wie Rose.
Ob digital, ob Aug' in Aug',
Er wehrt der Einsamkeit, dem Grau'n.
Pfleg ihn gut, halt ihn in Ehren,
Lass Verbindungen sich mehren.

(A spark jumps, a soft word flies,
The contact starts before our eyes.
Sometimes near, sometimes far, sometimes tight, sometimes loose,
A web is spun, as gentle as a rose.
Whether digital, or face to face,
It wards off loneliness and gray disgrace.
Tend it well, hold it dear,
Let connections multiply here.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich kann verbinden, ohne Band,
Reich dir digital die Hand.
Ich kann physisch sein, ganz nah,
Oder nur per Anruf da.
Man kann mich knüpfen, halten, pflegen,
Oder auch komplett ablegen.

Was bin ich?
... Der Kontakt

(I can connect without a string,
Give you a digital hand, I bring.
I can be physical, very near,
Or just a phone call, loud and clear.
You can make me, keep me, tend with care,
Or break me off, beyond compare.

What am I?
... Contact (der Kontakt))

💡 Other Interesting Facts

Word Origin: The word Kontakt comes from the Latin contactus, meaning "touch". It entered German via French.

Compound Words: Kontakt is part of many compound German words, reflecting its diverse meanings:

• Kontaktlinse: contact lens
• Kontaktanzeige: personal ad / contact ad
• Kontaktsperre: contact ban / no-contact order
• Kontaktformular: contact form
• Kontaktperson: contact person
• Wackelkontakt: loose connection / faulty contact
• Erstkontakt: first contact