der
Rekord
🏆 What exactly is a Rekord?
Der Rekord (noun, masculine) refers to a record, a top performance, or a peak value achieved in a specific field, often in sports, but also in science or other areas. It represents the highest or lowest (depending on the context, e.g., slowest time) performance or characteristic measured or documented so far.
The word originates from the English "record". There's only this one article for the word in German.
- Example: Er hat den Weltrekord im 100-Meter-Lauf gebrochen. (He broke the world record in the 100-meter dash.)
- Example: Die Temperatur erreichte einen neuen Rekord für diesen Monat. (The temperature reached a new record for this month.)
⚠️ Be careful: Don't confuse it with the English word "record" in the sense of a vinyl disc (that's die Schallplatte in German) or a recording/protocol (that's die Aufzeichnung or das Protokoll).
📊 Grammar of 'der Rekord'
The noun "Rekord" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun | (English Meaning) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Rekord | (the record) |
| Genitive | des | Rekord(e)s | (of the record) |
| Dative | dem | Rekord(e) | (to/for the record) |
| Accusative | den | Rekord | (the record) |
| Case | Article | Noun | (English Meaning) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Rekorde | (the records) |
| Genitive | der | Rekorde | (of the records) |
| Dative | den | Rekorden | (to/for the records) |
| Accusative | die | Rekorde | (the records) |
Example Sentences
- Der aktuelle Rekord liegt bei über 8000 Metern. (The current record is over 8000 meters.)
- Die Verbesserung des alten Rekordes war sensationell. (The improvement on the old record was sensational.)
- Mit diesem Sprung kam er dem Rekord sehr nahe. (With this jump, he came very close to the record.)
- Sie stellte einen neuen Rekord auf. (She set a new record.)
- In dieser Disziplin wurden viele Rekorde gebrochen. (Many records were broken in this discipline.)
- Die Liste der Rekorde ist lang. (The list of records is long.)
- Wir gratulieren den neuen Rekorden! (We congratulate the new records! - Less common phrasing)
🚀 How to use 'Rekord'?
"Der Rekord" is frequently used in the context of competitions, measurements, and extraordinary achievements.
- Sports: Weltrekord (world record), olympischer Rekord (Olympic record), persönlicher Rekord (personal best/record).
- Science & Nature: Hitzerekord (heat record), Kälterekord (cold record), Rekordernte (record harvest).
- Business: Umsatzrekord (record turnover/sales), Rekordgewinn (record profit), Besucherrekord (record attendance).
- Everyday life: A personal success can also be referred to as an (unofficial) Rekord.
Typical verbs and phrases:
- einen Rekord aufstellen: to set a record.
- einen Rekord brechen: to break a record.
- einen Rekord halten: to hold a record.
- einen Rekord einstellen: to equal/tie a record.
- einen Rekord jagen: to chase a record.
- etwas in Rekordzeit tun: to do something in record time.
Compared to Bestleistung (best performance), Rekord is often more official and refers to a documented top achievement, whereas Bestleistung can also be a personal best without official recognition.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'Rekord'
- Article Mnemonic: Think of DER Man, the strong man, setting the record. Masculine actors achieve den Rekord.
- Meaning Mnemonic: The word sounds very similar to the English "record". Imagine someone *recording* an outstanding achievement on video – that's der Rekord. Or think of an old vinyl *record* that always plays the same *peak* performance (music).
"It's hard to keep DER scores when chasing Rekords!" (Pronounce DER like 'dare')
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- die Bestleistung: top performance (often personal).
- der Spitzenwert: peak value, top value.
- die Höchstleistung: peak performance, maximum achievement.
- die Bestmarke: best mark, record (esp. in sports).
- der Spitzenplatz: top spot, first place (often implies a record).
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- der Durchschnitt: average.
- das Mittelmaß: mediocrity.
- der Tiefstwert / Tiefstand: lowest value, low point (opposite of a positive record).
- das Versagen: failure.
Similar but potentially misleading words:
- Die Aufzeichnung: recording, record, log (can document a record, but isn't the record itself).
- Die Schallplatte: vinyl record (related to an older meaning of 'record' in English).
😂 A little Joke
DE: Warum hat der Wecker einen Rekord gebrochen?
Weil er jeden Morgen als Erster aufsteht! 😉
EN: Why did the alarm clock break a record?
Because it gets up first every morning! 😉 (Pun: aufstehen = to get up / to stand up)
📜 Poem about the Record
DE:
Schneller, höher, weiter, lauter,
Die Menge staunt, der Jubel krauter.
Der Rekord, er ist gefallen,
Ein neuer Held in allen Hallen.
Die alte Marke ist passé,
Ein Moment für die Cité!
Doch morgen schon, wer weiß es schier,
Wird er gebrochen, hier bei mir?
EN:
Faster, higher, further, louder,
The crowd admires, the cheers grow prouder.
The record, it has fallen now,
A new hero takes a bow.
The old mark is a thing of past,
A moment for the city, vast!
But tomorrow soon, who knows for sure,
Will it be broken, here by my door?
❓ Riddle Time
DE:
Ich bin eine Marke, doch kein Produkt im Regal.
Ich zeige das Beste, oft nach Schweiß und nach Qual.
Man jagt mich, man bricht mich, man stellt mich neu auf.
Im Sport und im Leben nehm ich meinen Lauf.
Was bin ich?
... Der Rekord
EN:
I am a mark, but not a product on the shelf.
I show the best, often after sweat and yourself.
They chase me, they break me, they set me anew.
In sports and in life, I take my course through.
What am I?
... Der Rekord (The Record)
✨ More about the Word
- Etymology: As mentioned, "Rekord" comes from the English word "record", which in turn derives from the Latin "recordari" (to remember).
- Word Formations: There are many compound words with "Rekord" in German, e.g.:
- der Rekordhalter / die Rekordhalterin (record holder)
- der Rekordversuch (record attempt)
- die Rekordjagd (record chase)
- rekordverdächtig (adjective: potentially record-breaking)
- die Rekordsumme (record sum - often money)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Rekord?
The German word "Rekord" is always masculine. The correct form is: der Rekord. The plural is "die Rekorde".