der  Rest

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʁɛst/

🤔 What exactly is "der Rest"?

Der Rest (masculine) generally refers to what is left over or remaining from something. It can refer to a part of a quantity, a period of time, or concrete things.

• Remainder: The part that remains after another part has been taken away or consumed. Example: Der Rest des Kuchens steht im Kühlschrank. (The rest of the cake is in the fridge.)
• Leftovers: Often used in the plural (die Reste), especially for food leftovers. Example: Die Reste vom Abendessen gibt es morgen Mittag. (The leftovers from dinner will be lunch tomorrow.)
• Remaining amount: The remaining amount of money. Example: Den Rest zahle ich nächste Woche. (I'll pay the rest next week.)
• Remaining time/work: The time or task that still remains. Example: Den Rest der Arbeit mache ich morgen. (I'll do the rest of the work tomorrow.)

⚠️ Caution: Although 'Rest' might sometimes be understood in the sense of 'pause' or 'rest' (as in 'to rest'), the words die Pause or die Rast are much more common for this meaning.

🧐 Grammar of "Rest": Declension in Detail

"Rest" is a masculine noun. The plural is "die Reste". It follows the strong declension pattern.

Singular

Plural

📝 Example Sentences

• Gib mir bitte den Rest vom Saft.
  (Please give me the rest of the juice.)
• Mit dem Rest des Geldes kaufen wir Brot.
  (With the rest of the money, we'll buy bread.)
• Die Archäologen fanden nur noch die Reste einer alten Mauer.
  (The archaeologists only found the remains/remnants of an old wall.)
• Das Museum stellt die Reste der antiken Vase aus.
  (The museum exhibits the remains of the ancient vase.)
• Ich kümmere mich um den Rest.
  (I'll take care of the rest.)

💡 How to use "der Rest"

"Der Rest" is a very common word in German.

• Everyday language: Frequently used for leftovers, especially food ("die Reste"). Example: Was machen wir mit den Resten vom Mittagessen? (What should we do with the leftovers from lunch?)
• Quantities: When a part of a total amount has already been used or discussed. Example: Zwei Schüler sind krank, der Rest der Klasse ist anwesend. (Two students are sick, the rest of the class is present.)
• Time references: For remaining time. Example: Den Rest des Tages verbringe ich im Garten. (I'll spend the rest of the day in the garden.)
• Finances: For the remaining amount of money. Example: Hier sind 50 Euro, den Rest bekommst du später. (Here are 50 euros, you'll get the rest later.)
• Idioms: "Jemandem den Rest geben" means to finish someone off or to overwhelm someone completely. Example: Diese letzte Aufgabe hat mir den Rest gegeben. (This last task really finished me off / was the last straw.)

Compared to das Übrigbleibsel or das Überbleibsel (both meaning remains, remnant), Rest is more neutral and common. Der Überrest often sounds more archaic or refers to archaeological findings.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Rest"

Article Mnemonic: Think of "der last little bit". The word 'der' fits naturally before 'last'. So it's der Rest.

Meaning Mnemonic: What's left over? The rest. It sounds almost the same in English and German! Easy to remember.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• die Rast: A break for rest, especially during hiking.
• die Pause: An interruption of an activity, a break.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Kellner: "Hat es Ihnen geschmeckt?" Gast: "Ja, sehr gut, aber ich konnte nicht alles aufessen." Kellner: "Kein Problem, den Rest packen wir Ihnen gerne ein!" Gast: "Oh, danke! Können Sie auch den Koch einpacken? Der war der Beste!"

English Translation: The waiter asks: "Did you enjoy your meal?" Guest: "Yes, very much, but I couldn't eat everything." Waiter: "No problem, we'll gladly wrap up the rest for you!" Guest: "Oh, thank you! Can you wrap up the chef too? He was the best part!"

📜 A Poem about "der Rest"

German:
Vom Kuchen groß, vom Tag so lang,
Ein Stück bleibt übrig, ohne Zwang.
Der Rest, mal klein, mal kaum zu seh'n,
Muss nicht Verdruss, kann Freude weh'n.

Die Reste warm von gestern Nacht,
Sind heut' ein Mahl, schnell zubereacht.
So lehrt der Rest uns Dankbarkeit,
Für das, was bleibt in Zeit und Streit.

English Translation:
From the large cake, from the day so long,
A piece remains, without constraint or wrong.
The rest, sometimes small, sometimes barely seen,
Need not be vexation, can bring joy serene.

The leftovers warm from yesternight,
Today a meal, prepared so light.
Thus teaches the rest us gratitude,
For what remains through time and feud.

🧩 Riddle Time

German:
Ich bin, was übrig ist, wenn vieles fort,
Mal Essen, Zeit, mal nur ein Wort.
Manchmal bin ich klein, manchmal beträchtlich,
Bin weder Anfang, noch ganz verächtlich.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I am what's left when much has gone away,
Sometimes food, or time, or just words to say.
Sometimes I am small, sometimes considerable,
I'm neither beginning, nor quite negligible.

What am I? (... der Rest / the rest)

🌐 More Information

Etymology: The German word "Rest" comes from the French reste, which in turn derives from the Latin verb restare, meaning "to remain", "to be left over".

Compound Words (Wortzusammensetzungen): "Rest" is part of many compound nouns in German, e.g.:

• der Restmüll: non-recyclable waste
• der Restbestand: remaining stock
• der Restbetrag: remaining amount (money)
• das Restrisiko: residual risk
• das Restlicht: residual light
• der Restzweifel: remaining doubt