der  Pop

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/pɔp/

🎤 What exactly is "der Pop"?

In German, the word der Pop primarily has one meaning borrowed from English:

• Pop music: It refers to a popular music style, often characterized by catchy melodies and rhythms. It's a short form of Popmusik. Example: „Ich höre gerne Pop im Radio.“ (I like listening to pop on the radio.)

🚨 Attention: Sometimes "der Pop" is used colloquially and somewhat archaically or regionally for the buttocks, similar to "der Po" or "der Popo". However, this usage is less common and more informal than the meaning "pop music". Example (rare): „Er ist auf den Pop gefallen.“ (He fell on his bottom. - Here, "Po" or "Popo" would be more common).

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Pop

The noun "Pop" is masculine (maskulin).

Declension (Main meaning: Pop music)

The plural is rarely used as it refers to a music genre. While theoretically possible to refer to multiple pop genres or trends, it's uncommon.

Note: The genitive with -s ("des Pops") is possible, but often the form without -s is used, or it's paraphrased ("die Geschichte des Pop" - the history of pop).

Declension (Secondary meaning: Buttocks - rare)

This meaning does not have an established plural form in German.

Example Sentences 📝

1. Der Pop der 80er Jahre hatte viele Synthesizer. (The pop of the 80s had many synthesizers.)
2. Sie analysierte die Entwicklung des Pop in ihrer Abschlussarbeit. (She analyzed the development of pop in her thesis.)
3. Dem Pop wird oft Kommerzialisierung vorgeworfen. (Pop is often accused of commercialization.)
4. Ich kann diesen neuen Pop einfach nicht ausstehen. (I just can't stand this new pop music.)

🎶 How to use "der Pop"?

Context: Pop Music:

• "Der Pop" is almost exclusively used in the context of music. It's a common, neutral term for the genre.
• People often talk about „dem Pop“ as a general phenomenon or specific currents like „Britpop“, „Synthiepop“ etc.
• It's less technical than Popmusik, but more common in everyday language.

Context: Buttocks (Colloquial):

• This meaning is rare, rather regional or dated, and very informal.
• Be cautious as it can easily be confused with the musical meaning, and usually, "der Po" or "der Popo" is intended and more common.

Distinction:

• Der Pop (Music): Genre designation.
• Der Po / Der Popo: The common words for buttocks.
• Das Pop: Does not exist as an independent word with an established meaning in German.

💡 Mnemonics for "der Pop"

For the article: Imagine a male pop star: he is DER star of pop music. Der Pop rocks!

For the meaning (Music): Pop music is popular. The short word "Pop" stands for the catchy, widespread music.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words

• Der Po / Der Popo: The more common words for buttocks. Potential confusion with the rare colloquial meaning of "der Pop".
• Der Stopp / Der Stop: Sounds similar, but means stop.
• Die Pop-Art: An art movement (feminine!).

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Popstar seine Leiter mit ins Studio genommen?
(Why did the pop star take his ladder into the studio?)

Damit er die hohen Töne besser trifft! 😄
(So he could hit the high notes better! - *"treffen" means to hit, also used for meeting someone*)

📜 A Poem about Pop

Der Pop, er klingt so frisch und klar,
(Pop sounds so fresh and clear,)
Ein Beat, der tanzt, Jahr für Jahr.
(A beat that dances, year after year.)
Im Radio, auf jeder Feier,
(On the radio, at every party,)
Macht gute Laune, ungeheuer.
(Puts you in a good mood, tremendously.)
Mal sanft, mal laut, mal schnell, mal sacht,
(Sometimes soft, sometimes loud, sometimes fast, sometimes gentle,)
Der Pop hat uns oft froh gemacht.
(Pop has often made us happy.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin kurz, ich bin bekannt,
(I am short, I am well-known,)
Klinge oft im ganzen Land.
(Often sound throughout the country.)
Manchmal tanzbar, manchmal lieb,
(Sometimes danceable, sometimes sweet,)
Ein Musikstil, der vielen blieb.
(A music style that stayed with many.)
Mit 'der' davor steh' ich meist da,
(With 'der' before me, I usually stand,)
Was bin ich wohl? Na klar:
(What am I? Of course:)

Solution: der Pop

ℹ️ More Info

• Origin: The word "Pop" is a loanword from English, a shortening of "popular music". It became established internationally in the second half of the 20th century.
• Cultural Significance: Pop music often reflects the Zeitgeist (spirit of the times) and is an important part of youth culture and the music industry.
• Compounds: Frequently found in compound words like Popstar (pop star), Popkultur (pop culture), Popkonzert (pop concert), Popsong (pop song), Britpop, Synthiepop etc.