der
Reim
What does 'der Reim' mean? 🧐
Der Reim means rhyme in English. It refers to the identity in sound of syllables or words, usually at the end of lines in poems or song lyrics (Liedtexten). It's an important stylistic device (Stilmittel) in poetry (Lyrik) and music, creating rhythm (Rhythmus) and euphony (Wohlklang).
Different types of rhymes are distinguished, for example, by their position in the verse (Endreim - end rhyme, Binnenreim - internal rhyme) or by the rhyme scheme (Reimschema) such as Paarreim (couplet), Kreuzreim (alternate rhyme), or umarmender Reim (enclosing rhyme).
The word only uses the article der. There are no other meanings associated with different articles.
Grammar Deep Dive: 'der Reim' 🤓
The noun 'Reim' is masculine (maskulin). Here is its declension (Deklination):
Declension Masculine (der Reim)
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Reim |
| Genitive | des | Reimes / Reims |
| Dative | dem | Reim / Reime |
| Accusative | den | Reim |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Reime |
| Genitive | der | Reime |
| Dative | den | Reimen |
| Accusative | die | Reime |
Example Sentences (Beispielsätze) 📜
- Der letzte Reim im Gedicht passt nicht gut. (The last rhyme in the poem doesn't fit well.)
- Kinder lieben einfache Reime. (Children love simple rhymes.)
- Er suchte lange nach einem passenden Reim auf das Wort 'Sonne'. (He searched for a long time for a suitable rhyme for the word 'Sonne' (sun).)
- Die Schönheit des Reimes ist oft subjektiv. (The beauty of the rhyme is often subjective.)
Using 'Reim' in Art and Everyday Language ✍️
In Literature and Music: The main context for 'Reim' is the analysis and description of poems (Gedichten), song lyrics (Liedtexten), and other literary forms. People talk about Endreime (end rhymes), Binnenreime (internal rhymes), unreine Reime (impure rhymes), etc.
Idioms (Redewendungen): A common idiom is "sich (k)einen Reim auf etwas machen können". This literally means "to (not) be able to make a rhyme out of something", but idiomatically translates to to (not) be able to make heads or tails of something, or to (not) understand something.
- Ich kann mir einfach keinen Reim darauf machen, warum er das getan hat. (I just can't make heads or tails of why he did that. / I just can't understand it.)
Distinction: A 'Reim' refers to sound identity. Don't confuse it with 'Rhythmus' (rhythm - the stress pattern) or 'Versmaß' (meter - the metrical scheme).
Memory Aids for 'der Reim' 🧠
Article Mnemonic: Der Reim is *very* important for *poetry* - think of a *master* (masculine) poet crafting his lines. Der often goes with concepts related to structure or core elements.
Meaning Mnemonic: 'Reim' sounds quite similar to the English word 'rhyme'. Just remember the German spelling R-E-I-M for that *rhyming* sound!
Similar and Opposite Words for 'Reim' ↔️
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Gleichklang: (harmony/identity of sound) - Emphasizes the identical sound.
- Assonanz: (assonance) - Specifically: identity of vowel sounds only.
- Endreim: (end rhyme) - Specific to rhymes at the end of a line.
- Wohlklang: (euphony) - More general term for pleasant sound.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
⚠️ Potential Confusion:
- Rhythmus: (rhythm) - Refers to stress and timing, not primarily sound identity.
- Versmaß/Metrum: (meter) - Refers to the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables.
A Little Joke for You 😄
German: Warum können Skelette keine Gedichte schreiben?
Weil sie keinen Reim im Leib haben!
English Translation: Why can't skeletons write poems?
Because they don't have any rhyme in their body! (This is a pun; "keinen Reim im Leib haben" sounds like "keinen Reim und Leib haben" - no rhyme and body, but also plays on the idiom "sich keinen Reim darauf machen können".)
A Poem About Rhyme 🎤
German:
Ein Wort am Schluss, ganz leis und fein,
sucht dringend einen Partner - Reim allein.
Es lauscht und hofft auf gleichen Klang,
so wird die Zeile erst zum Sang.
Ob Haus und Maus, ob Licht und dicht,
der Reim gibt Struktur dem Gedicht.
Mal Paar, mal Kreuz, mal umarmt er,
ohne ihn wär's öde, das ist klar.
English Translation:
A word at the end, so soft and fine,
Urgently seeks a partner - rhyme alone.
It listens and hopes for matching sound,
Thus the line becomes a song profound.
Be it house and mouse, or light and tight,
The rhyme gives structure to the poem's might.
Sometimes couplet, cross, sometimes embraced,
Without it, things would be dull, that's clearly traced.
A Little Riddle for You 🤔
German:
Ich wohne am Ende mancher Zeile,
sorg' für Gleichklang, ganz ohne Eile.
In Lied und Vers bin ich zu Haus,
mal kling' ich wie Maus, mal wie Applaus.
Was bin ich?
English Translation:
I live at the end of many a line,
Ensuring identical sound, taking my time.
In song and verse, I am at home,
Sometimes I sound like 'mouse', sometimes like 'dome' (or 'applause' in the German original).
What am I? Solution: Der Reim (The Rhyme)
Interesting Facts About 'Reim' 💡
Compound Words (Wortzusammensetzungen):
The word 'Reim' forms the basis for many terms in literary studies:
- Endreim: End rhyme (most common form).
- Binnenreim: Internal rhyme (rhyme within a line).
- Anfangsreim / Stabreim (Alliteration): Initial rhyme / alliteration (repetition of initial sounds - technically not a 'Reim' in the strict sense, but related).
- Paarreim: Couplet rhyme (scheme aabb).
- Kreuzreim: Alternate/cross rhyme (scheme abab).
- Umarmender Reim: Enclosing/envelope rhyme (scheme abba).
- Unreiner Reim: Impure/slant rhyme (words sound similar but not exactly identical, e.g., 'shape' - 'keep').
Etymology (Etymologie):
The word 'Reim' comes from Middle High German 'rīm', which originally meant 'row, number'. Under French influence (Old French 'rime'), it later adopted the meaning 'rhyme' or 'identity of sound'.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Reim?
The noun Reim is always masculine. The correct article is der. There are no other articles used with this word. So you say der Reim (the rhyme), des Reimes (of the rhyme), die Reime (the rhymes).