der
Lachs
🐟 What exactly is a Lachs?
Der Lachs (noun, masculine) primarily refers to a specific fish from the Salmonidae family (Salmo salar for the Atlantic salmon or various species of the genus Oncorhynchus for Pacific salmon). These fish are known for their characteristic pink to reddish flesh and their life cycle, which often involves migrations between freshwater and saltwater.
In a broader sense, "Lachs" is also used directly for the meat of this fish as food.
There's only this one article for the word, which simplifies things! No risk of confusion here. 😌 It's always der Lachs.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Fish → almost always masculine.
🧐 Grammar: Declension of 'der Lachs'
The noun "Lachs" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Lachs |
| Genitive | des | Lachses |
| Dative | dem | Lachs(e) |
| Accusative | den | Lachs |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Lachse |
| Genitive | der | Lachse |
| Dative | den | Lachsen |
| Accusative | die | Lachse |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der Lachs schwimmt gegen den Strom, um zu laichen. (The salmon swims upstream to spawn.)
- Der Geschmack des Lachses ist sehr beliebt. (The taste of the salmon is very popular.)
- Wir essen heute Abend Lachs mit Kartoffeln. (We are eating salmon with potatoes tonight. - Accusative, often without article when referring to food)
- Angler freuen sich über die vielen Lachse im Fluss. (Anglers are happy about the many salmon in the river.)
💡 How 'Lachs' is Used
"Lachs" is used in various contexts:
- Biology & Ecology: When discussing the fish as a living creature, its species, habitat, or behavior (e.g., der Atlantische Lachs - the Atlantic salmon, die Lachswanderung - the salmon run).
- Cuisine & Gastronomy: Very commonly, "Lachs" is used as the name for the food product (e.g., geräucherter Lachs - smoked salmon, Lachsfilet - salmon fillet, Lachs auf dem Grill - salmon on the grill). Here, it's often used without an article when referring to the food in general: "Ich esse gern Lachs." (I like eating salmon.)
- Fishing (Angling): In the context of fishing (e.g., auf Lachs angeln - to fish for salmon).
- Color: The color "Lachs" or "lachsfarben" (salmon-colored) is derived from the typical flesh color and describes a pinkish-orange hue. E.g., "ein lachsfarbenes Hemd" (a salmon-colored shirt).
Confusion is rare as the word is quite specific. The context usually clarifies whether the fish or the food is meant.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Here are a couple of memory aids:
- For the article 'der': Imagine a big, strong (masculine) fish. It's the main fish, the king swimming upstream. Masculine nouns often take 'der'. Think of a powerful 'derminator' fish!
- For the meaning: "Lachs" sounds a bit like the English word "locks" (of hair). Imagine a fish with beautiful, flowing pinkish-orange 'locks'. Or it sounds like "lacks" - maybe it *lacks* the ability to stay in one place, always migrating! Or connect it to the German verb "lachen" (to laugh) - it's such a delicious fish, it makes you laugh with joy!
Remember: Der strong fish swims up the river, its name sounds like 'locks'.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms
- Salm: A somewhat archaic or poetic German word for salmon.
- (Context-dependent) Speisefisch: (Food fish / edible fish) - Used when Lachs is mentioned among other edible fish.
- (Species) Atlantischer Lachs, Pazifischer Lachs, Königslachs etc.: More specific German terms for different types (Atlantic Salmon, Pacific Salmon, King Salmon).
Antonyms
- There are no direct antonyms. Contextually, one might contrast it with other types of fish (e.g., Forelle - trout, Hering - herring) or other types of meat (e.g., Rindfleisch - beef, Huhn - chicken).
⚠️ Confusing Words?
- Lasch: A German adjective meaning 'limp', 'slack', or 'lacking energy'. Sounds similar but is completely unrelated to the fish! ("Ein lascher Händedruck." - A limp handshake.)
😂 A Little Joke
Kellner: "Entschuldigen Sie, sind Sie der Lachs?"
Gast: "Nein, ich bin der Hering, aber ich warte auf den Lachs."
Waiter: "Excuse me, are you the salmon?"
Guest: "No, I'm the herring, but I'm waiting for the salmon."
(This is a simple wordplay, often used when a waiter looks for the person who ordered a specific dish.)
📜 Poem about the Salmon
Im kühlen Fluss, stark und gewandt,
Schwimmt der Lachs, zieht durch das Land.
Gegen den Strom, das Ziel fest im Blick,
Kehrt er zurück, zum Laichgeschick.
Sein Fleisch so zart, in Rosarot,
Beliebt auf Tischen, täglich Brot.
In the cool river, strong and skilled,
Swims the salmon, through the land it's thrilled.
Against the current, goal firmly in sight,
It returns, for spawning's rite.
Its flesh so tender, in rosy red,
Popular on tables, daily bread.
❓ Little Riddle
Ich schwimme im Meer und auch im Fluss,
mein Fleisch ist rosa, ein Genuss.
Ich wandere weit, bin stark und schnell,
mein Name klingt fast wie ein Befehl zu lachen hell.
Wer bin ich?
I swim in the sea and also in the river,
my flesh is pink, a delight forever.
I migrate far, am strong and fast,
my name almost sounds like an order to laugh that lasts.
Who am I?
Solution: Der Lachs (The Salmon)
🧩 Other Interesting Facts
- Etymology: The German word "Lachs" comes from Old High German "lahs" and is related to similar words in other Germanic, Baltic, and Slavic languages. It has always referred to this specific fish.
- Biological Marvel: The ability of salmon to switch between freshwater and saltwater (anadromy) and often travel thousands of kilometers to return precisely to their birthplace is a fascinating natural phenomenon (die Lachswanderung - the salmon run).
- Economic Factor: Salmon farming (die Lachszucht - aquaculture) is a significant industry in countries like Norway, Chile, and Scotland.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Lachs?
The word "Lachs" is always masculine. The correct forms are: der Lachs (nominative singular), des Lachses (genitive singular), dem Lachs(e) (dative singular), den Lachs (accusative singular), and die Lachse (nominative/accusative plural).