der
Mast
🗼 What does 'der Mast' mean?
The German word der Mast primarily has two meanings:
- A tall, vertical pole or spar: This meaning often refers to the masts of ships (Schiffsmast), flagpoles (Fahnenmast), antenna masts (Antennenmast), or electricity pylons (Strommast). They are used to hold something up or support something (sails, flags, antennas, cables).
Example: Das Segelschiff hatte drei hohe Masten. (The sailing ship had three tall masts.) - The fattening of animals (animal fattening): This meaning refers to the intensive feeding of livestock (like pigs, cattle, poultry) with the aim of quickly bringing them to slaughter weight.
Example: Die Schweine sind in der Mast. (The pigs are being fattened.)
🚨 Important: Although both meanings use the article 'der', they describe completely different concepts.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ast → mostly masculine.
🧐 The Grammar of 'der Mast'
The noun 'Mast' is masculine. Here are the declension tables:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Mast |
| Genitive | des | Mast(e)s |
| Dative | dem | Mast(e) |
| Accusative | den | Mast |
Plural
The plural form varies slightly depending on the meaning, although Masten is more common for the 'pole' meaning:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Masten |
| Genitive | der | Masten |
| Dative | den | Masten |
| Accusative | die | Masten |
Note: For the meaning 'animal fattening', the plural is rarely used. If it is, die Maste might occur, but often refers to historical contexts or specific types of feed (like acorns - then 'die Mast'). In modern animal husbandry, one usually talks about Mastverfahren (fattening methods) or Mastbetriebe (fattening farms).
💡 Example Sentences
- (Pole) Der Sturm brach den Mast des Schiffes.
(The storm broke the ship's mast.) - (Pole) Am Rathaus weht eine Fahne an einem hohen Mast.
(A flag is flying on a tall pole at the town hall.) - (Pole) Die Masten der Hochspannungsleitung prägen die Landschaft.
(The pylons of the high-voltage line dominate the landscape.) - (Fattening) Die Gänse kommen bald in die Mast.
(The geese will soon be put out for fattening.) - (Fattening) Der Bauer spezialisiert sich auf die Rindermast.
(The farmer specializes in cattle fattening.)
🚢 Using 'der Mast' Correctly 🐷
The usage of der Mast heavily depends on the context:
- In technical or nautical contexts: Here, 'Mast' always refers to a vertical pole. You talk about a Segelmast (sail mast), Fahnenmast (flagpole), Antennenmast (antenna mast), Sendemast (transmission mast), Strommast (electricity pylon), or Hochspannungsmast (high-voltage pylon). It's a concrete, visible object.
- In agricultural contexts: Here, 'Mast' denotes the process or state of feeding for weight gain. You talk about Schweinemast (pig fattening), Rindermast (cattle fattening), Geflügelmast (poultry fattening), or Intensivmast (intensive fattening). It describes a process or method rather than an object.
⚠️ Potential confusion: The word die Rast (rest, break) sounds similar but has a completely different meaning and takes the article 'die'.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Mast'
For the article 'der': Imagine 'der' strong sailor who climbs 'der' tall Mast. Or 'der' farmer who oversees 'der' animal Mast (fattening). Thinking of male figures (der Mann) can help remember masculine nouns!
For the meanings: A Mast is either MASsive and tall (pole) or makes animals MASsive (fattening).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Mast
Synonyms
⚠️ Similar Sounding Words
😄 A Mast-erful Joke
DE: Warum nehmen Seefahrer immer Seife mit an Bord?
Damit sie bei Sturm eine Mast-Wäsche machen können!
EN: Why do sailors always take soap on board?
So they can have a 'mast wash' (pun on 'must wash') during a storm!
📜 Mast in Verse
DE:
Der Mast, so stolz, ragt in die Höh',
Trägt Segel weit über die See.
Ein starker Halt bei Wind und Wellen,
Lässt Schiffe sicher Häfen schnellen.
Doch auch im Stall, da kennt man ihn,
EN:
The Mast, so proud, reaches for the sky,
Carries sails far across the sea, up high.
A strong support in wind and wave's command,
Lets ships reach safe harbours across the land.
But also known within the stable's walls,
When animals gain weight, stand fat and tall.
The Mast concept, with a double face,
One built with hands, one spread with pace.
❓ A Mast Riddle
DE:
Ich stehe hoch auf Schiff und Land,
Halte Flaggen mit starker Hand.
Mal trage ich Antennen weit,
Mal mach' ich Tiere schlachtbereit.
Ich bin maskulin, das ist bekannt,
Mit 'der' werd' ich stets genannt.
Wer bin ich?
EN:
I stand tall on ship and land,
Holding flags with a strong hand.
Sometimes I carry antennas far,
Sometimes make animals ready for the abattoir.
I am masculine, that is known,
With 'der', my name is always shown.
What am I?
Solution: der Mast
💡 Mast Trivia
Compound Words (Komposita):
'Mast' is part of many compound German words:
- Pole Meaning: Fahnenmast (flagpole), Schiffsmast (ship's mast), Segelmast (sail mast), Antennenmast (antenna mast), Sendemast (transmission mast), Strommast (electricity pylon), Hochspannungsmast (high-voltage pylon), Bootsmast (boat mast), Mastkorb (crow's nest), Mastbruch (mast breakage)
- Fattening Meaning: Schweinemast (pig fattening), Rindermast (cattle fattening), Geflügelmast (poultry fattening), Entenmast (duck fattening), Gänsemast (goose fattening), Mastbetrieb (fattening farm), Mastfutter (fattening feed), Intensivmast (intensive fattening), Maststall (fattening stable)
Botanical Meaning (less common):
There is also die Mast (feminine), which refers to the fruit of beech and oak trees (beech nuts, acorns), formerly used as animal feed. However, this meaning is less common than der Mast.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Mast?
The word 'Mast' is masculine: der Mast. It primarily means a tall pole (e.g., ship's mast, flagpole) or the fattening of animals (animal fattening).