der
Lift
⬆️ What exactly is a 'Lift'?
The German word der Lift is a loanword from English and primarily has two meanings:
- Elevator/Lift (in a building): A cabin or platform for transporting people or goods vertically, usually within a building. Example: Wir nehmen den Lift in den fünften Stock. (We take the lift/elevator to the fifth floor.)
- Ski lift: A facility in ski resorts that transports winter sports enthusiasts up a mountain (e.g., chairlift, drag lift). Example: Der Lift bringt uns bequem auf den Gipfel. (The ski lift takes us comfortably to the summit.)
Although 'Lift' is commonly used, the German words 'Aufzug' or 'Fahrstuhl' are often used as synonyms for the first meaning (elevator).
Article rules for der, die, and das
Devices → mostly masculine.
Caution: das Gerät
🧐 Grammar of 'der Lift'
The word "Lift" is a masculine noun. It uses the article der.
Declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Lift |
| Genitive | des | Liftes / Lifts |
| Dative | dem | Lift |
| Accusative | den | Lift |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Lifte / Lifts |
| Genitive | der | Lifte / Lifts |
| Dative | den | Liften / Lifts |
| Accusative | die | Lifte / Lifts |
Note: Both plural forms ("Lifte" and "Lifts") and both genitive singular forms ("Liftes" and "Lifts") are common.
Example Sentences:
- Der Lift ist leider außer Betrieb. (The lift/elevator is unfortunately out of order.)
- Warten wir auf den Lift oder nehmen wir die Treppe? (Shall we wait for the lift/elevator or take the stairs?)
- Die Musik in dem Lift ist schrecklich. (The music in the lift/elevator is terrible.)
- Die Reparatur des Liftes dauert länger als erwartet. (The repair of the lift/elevator is taking longer than expected.)
- Am Wochenende sind die Lifte im Skigebiet oft überfüllt. (On weekends, the ski lifts in the ski resort are often crowded.)
When to use 'Lift'? 🤔
Der Lift is used in the following contexts:
- In buildings: Here, 'Lift' is a synonym for 'Aufzug' or 'Fahrstuhl' (elevator). While 'Aufzug' is often considered the more technical or formal term and 'Fahrstuhl' is very common, 'Lift' can sound a bit more modern or international. "Im neuen Bürogebäude gibt es vier schnelle Lifte." (In the new office building, there are four fast elevators/lifts.)
- In winter sports: Here, 'Lift' specifically refers to installations for mountain transport (chairlift, drag lift, gondola lift can also be seen as a type of 'Lift'). In this context, 'Aufzug' or 'Fahrstuhl' are inappropriate. "Die Tageskarte für die Lifte ist ziemlich teuer." (The day pass for the ski lifts is quite expensive.)
Comparison:
- Aufzug: Technically more correct, often used in official contexts (e.g., on signs).
- Fahrstuhl: Very common everyday word for a building elevator.
- Lift: Sounds modern, used for buildings and specifically for ski installations.
⚠️ Sometimes 'Lift' is used metaphorically, e.g., for a rapid advancement (Karrierelift - career lift), but this is less common.
How to remember 'der Lift' 🧠
Article Mnemonic (der):
Imagine: Der strong man (masculine!) carries you up in der Lift. Or: Many technical devices and English loanwords in German are masculine, like der Computer, der Job, and also der Lift.
Meaning Mnemonic (elevator/ski lift):
The English word 'lift' means to raise something. A German Lift conveniently 'lifts' you (or your skis) upwards – either in a building or on a mountain. It's a lifting aid.
Other words for Lift & Opposites 🔄
Synonyms (similar meaning):
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Treppe / Treppenhaus (stairs / staircase - manual alternative in buildings)
- Rolltreppe (escalator - also moves up/down, but differently)
- Abfahrt / Talabfahrt (downhill run / valley run - opposite of going up the mountain with a ski lift)
Similar but potentially misleading words:
A little Lift Joke 😂
Warum erzählt der Lift nie Witze?
Er hat Angst, dass die Pointen stecken bleiben!
(Why does the elevator never tell jokes? - It's afraid the punchlines will get stuck!)
Lift Poem 📜
Der Lift, er fährt geschwind,
trägt dich hoch, mein liebes Kind.
Ob im Haus, ob Schnee im Tal,
bringt dich rauf, ganz ohne Qual.
Knöpfchen drücken, Türe zu,
oben bist du, schnell im Nu.
(The lift, it travels fast,
carries you high, my dear child, at last.
Whether in the house, or snow in the vale,
takes you up, without fail.
Press the button, door shuts tight,
at the top you are, quick as light.)
Lift Riddle 🤔
Ich habe Knöpfe, doch kein Hemd.
Ich fahre auf und ab, doch bin kein Zug geschwind.
Mal bring ich Skifahrer den Berg hinauf,
Mal Menschen im Gebäude in den obersten Lauf.
Was bin ich?
(I have buttons, but no shirt.
I travel up and down, but am not a swift train.
Sometimes I take skiers up the mountain,
Sometimes people in buildings to the highest domain.
What am I?)
Solution: Der Lift (The lift/elevator)
More about 'der Lift' 🤓
- Origin: The word "Lift" comes directly from English ('to lift'). It's an established Anglicism (loanword) in German.
- Compound words: There are many compound nouns (Komposita) with "Lift", e.g.: Personenlift (passenger lift), Lastenlift (freight lift), Skilift (ski lift), Sessellift (chairlift), Schlepplift (drag lift), Treppenlift (stairlift), Liftboy/Liftgirl (elevator operator - dated), Liftmusik (elevator music).
- Technology: Modern lifts (Aufzüge) are complex technical systems involving cables, counterweights, or hydraulic drives, along with extensive safety features.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Lift?
The word "Lift" is masculine. The correct article is der. So you say: der Lift.
