der  Mais

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/maɪ̯s/

🌽 What exactly is "der Mais"?

Der Mais refers to both the plant (a type of cereal grass from the sweetgrass family) and its fruit, the kernels (Maiskörner). It's one of the world's most important crops, used for food (Nahrung), animal feed (Futter), and industrial purposes (Industriepflanze).

The word is always masculine: der Mais.

Examples of products include Popcorn, Maismehl (corn flour), Cornflakes, and Maissirup (corn syrup).

🧐 Grammar of "der Mais" in Detail

The noun "Mais" is masculine. It is mostly used in the singular, as it often functions as a collective noun or material name. A plural form ("die Maise") exists but is rarely used and typically refers to different *types* or *varieties* of corn.

Declension Singular

Note: In the genitive singular, both forms ("des Maises" and "des Mais") are common. In the dative singular, "dem Mais" is the standard form.

Declension Plural - Rare

Example Sentences

1. Der Bauer erntet den Mais im Herbst.
   (The farmer harvests the corn in autumn.)
2. Aus dem Mais wird Maismehl hergestellt.
   (Corn flour is made from the corn.)
3. Die Qualität des Maises war dieses Jahr hervorragend.
   (The quality of the corn was excellent this year.)
4. Auf der Messe wurden verschiedene Maise vorgestellt.
   (Different types of corn were presented at the fair.)

💡 How to Use "der Mais"?

"Der Mais" is mainly used in contexts related to agriculture (Landwirtschaft), nutrition (Ernährung), and biology (Biologie).

• As food: People talk about Maiskolben (corn on the cob), Zuckermais (sweet corn), Popcornmais (popcorn kernels), or Maisstärke (corn starch). Example: "Im Sommer grillen wir gerne Maiskolben." (In summer, we like to grill corn on the cob.)
• As animal feed: Silomais (silage corn) or Körnermais (grain corn) is often used as animal feed. Example: "Der Landwirt baut Mais für seine Kühe an." (The farmer grows corn for his cows.)
• In industry: Corn is used to produce bioethanol or bioplastics.
• Botanically: As the name for the plant itself. Example: "Das Maisfeld erstreckt sich bis zum Horizont." (The cornfield stretches to the horizon.)

Distinction from "Korn": While "Mais" refers to a specific type of cereal, "Korn" is a more general term for cereal grains (e.g., Weizenkorn - wheat grain, Roggenkorn - rye grain) or sometimes for the entire crop in the field.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Mais"

For the article (der): Imagine a strong man (masculine -> der) holding a massive cob of corn (Mais). The 'M' links 'man' and 'Mais'.

For the meaning (plant/grain): Think of a cornfield that looks like a giant maze. The word "maze" sounds quite similar to Mais.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

😄 A Little Corn Joke

DE: Warum hat der Maiskolben geweint?

Weil ihm jemand ins Ohr geflüstert hat, dass er „vermaist“ sei! 😉

EN: Why did the corn cob cry?

Because someone whispered in its ear that it was "a-maize-ing"! (A pun on "verwaist" - orphaned/abandoned, sounding like "vermaist" - made of corn / amazing)

📜 Poem about Corn

DE:
Hoch im Feld, in Reih und Glied,
Der Mais wächst stolz, ein grünes Lied.
Die Sonne küsst die Körner fein,
bald wird's Popcorn, knackig, klein.
Kolben schwer, vom Wind gewiegt,
Nahrung, Futter – heiß geliebt.

EN:
High in the field, in rank and file,
The corn grows proud, a green song's style.
The sun kisses the kernels fine,
soon it's popcorn, crunchy, divine.
Cobs heavy, by the wind swayed,
Food, feed – dearly loved, displayed.

🧩 Corn Riddle

DE:
Ich wachse hoch in grünen Reihen,
mit Körnern, die als Perlen scheinen.
Mal süß vom Kolben, mal gepoppt im Topf,
mal Mehl für Brot, direkt vom Schopf.
Ich bin ein Korn, doch sag mir leis:
Wie heiß ich wohl? Ich bin...

Lösung: der Mais

EN:
I grow up tall in rows of green,
With kernels that like pearls are seen.
Sometimes sweet from the cob, sometimes popped in a pot,
Sometimes flour for bread, right from the topknot.
I am a grain, but tell me low:
What is my name? I am...

Solution: der Mais (corn/maize)

🌍 Other Information & Trivia

• Origin: Corn (Mais) originally comes from Mexico and was cultivated by indigenous peoples for thousands of years before arriving in Europe.
• Word Composition: The German word "Mais" was borrowed from Spanish "maíz", which in turn comes from the indigenous Taino language ("mahíz").
• Diversity: There are thousands of different corn varieties (Maissorten) differing in color, size, and use (e.g., sweet corn - Zuckermais, dent corn - Zahnmais, flint corn - Hartmais, flour corn - Stärkemais).