der
Rost
📖 What does "der Rost" mean?
The German word der Rost primarily has two meanings:
-
Corrosion on metals (Rust) 쇠️: The reddish-brown layer that forms on iron or steel when exposed to moisture and oxygen. This is the most common meaning.
Example: Das alte Fahrrad hat viel Rost angesetzt. (The old bicycle has accumulated a lot of rust.)
-
A grate (often for grilling) 🔥: A grid, like the one found on a barbecue grill or in an oven, used to place food on.
Example: Leg das Fleisch auf den heißen Rost. (Put the meat on the hot grate.)
⚠️ Although both meanings use the article "der", it's important to understand the context to identify the correct meaning.
🧐 Grammar of "der Rost" in Detail
The noun "Rost" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | der | Rost |
| Genitive (Whose?) | des | Rostes |
| Dative (To/For Whom?) | dem | Rost / Roste |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | den | Rost |
Declension Plural
The plural of "Rost" is rather uncommon when referring to corrosion (it's usually spoken of non-specifically as "Rost"). The plural "die Roste" primarily refers to multiple grill grates/grids.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Roste |
| Genitive | der | Roste |
| Dative | den | Rosten |
| Accusative | die | Roste |
Example Sentences 📝
- (Corrosion) Der viele Regen hat am Gartentor Rost verursacht.
(The heavy rain caused rust on the garden gate.) - (Corrosion) Man muss den Rost entfernen, bevor man das Metall lackiert.
(One must remove the rust before painting the metal.) - (Grill grate) Bitte reinige den Rost nach dem Grillen.
(Please clean the grate after grilling.) - (Grill grate) Wir brauchen mehrere Roste für das große Fest.
(We need several grates for the big party.) - (Corrosion, Genitive) Die Beseitigung des Rostes ist aufwendig.
(The removal of the rust is laborious.)
🔧 How to use "der Rost"?
The use of "der Rost" strongly depends on the context:
- Korrosion (Rust): Often used in connection with metal objects exposed to weathering (cars, bicycles, tools, fences, ships). One says that something "Rost ansetzt" (accumulates rust) or "rostet" (rusts - verb).
- Gitter/Grillrost (Grate): Used in the context of cooking, grilling, or baking. Grates over open fires or in fireplaces can also be called "Rost".
Typical Collocations (Word Combinations):
- Rost ansetzen / ansetzen von Rost (to start rusting / accumulation of rust)
- Rost entfernen / bekämpfen (to remove / fight rust)
- vom Rost zerfressen (eaten away by rust)
- auf den Rost legen (Grill) (to put on the grate (grill))
- der heiße Rost (the hot grate)
Differentiation: The verb "rösten" (e.g., Brot rösten - to toast bread) sounds similar but has nothing to do with "der Rost".
🧠 Mnemonics for "der Rost"
For the article 'der': Think of a strong man (masculine 'der') fighting 'den Rost' (the rust) on his old car. Or: DER Grillmaster puts the steak on DEN Rost. (Masculine actors for masculine nouns).
For the meanings: Imagine the metal is shedding reddish-brown tears – that's Rost (rust). And when you're hungry, you put your food on the Rost (grate) to get it crispy.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
Similar Words (Careful!):
😄 A Little Joke
DE: Fragt der Mechaniker den Kunden: "Soll ich den Rost an Ihrem Auto entfernen?"
Kunde: "Nein danke, den brauche ich noch. Der hält das Auto doch zusammen!"
EN: The mechanic asks the customer: "Should I remove the rust from your car?"
Customer: "No thanks, I still need it. It's holding the car together!"
✍️ Poem about Rost
DE:
Auf altem Eisen, still und sacht,
ist über Nacht der Rost erwacht.
Ein roter Schleier, frisst sich tief,
wo einst Metall ganz blank noch schlief.
Doch auch am Grill, welch andre Pracht,
wird auf dem Rost ein Mahl gemacht.
Zwei Seiten hat's, mal Feind, mal Freund,
so ist der Rost, wie es oft scheint.
EN:
On ancient iron, silent, slight,
The rust awakened overnight.
A reddish veil, it eats so deep,
Where once bare metal lay asleep.
But on the grill, what different sight,
A meal is made upon the Rost's height.
Two sides it has, sometimes a foe, sometimes friend,
That's how the rust is, in the end.
❓ Riddle Time
DE:
Ich trage den Artikel "der",
mal bin ich dem Metall nicht fair,
fress' mich hinein mit roter Zier.
Mal lieg' ich auf dem Grill bei dir,
und sorge für Genuss und Glut.
Was bin ich wohl? Rate gut!
EN:
I carry the article "der",
Sometimes to metal I'm unfair,
I eat my way in with reddish flair.
Sometimes I lie on the grill with care,
Providing pleasure and glowing heat.
What am I then? Guess, make it neat!
(Solution: der Rost)
💡 More about "der Rost"
Word Formation & Relatives:
- The verb for Rost (corrosion) is rosten (e.g., Das Fahrrad rostet - The bicycle is rusting).
- Rostig is the corresponding adjective (e.g., ein rostiges Messer - a rusty knife).
- There are many compound words: Flugrost (flash rust, surface rust), Edelrost (decorative rust, patina), Rostschutzmittel (anti-rust agent), Grillrost (grill grate), Rostbraten (a type of roast beef dish, sometimes cooked on a grate).
Interesting Fact: Not all metal oxidations are "Rost". Rost specifically refers to the oxidation of iron and steel. Other metals like copper form a patina (called Grünspan in German).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Rost?
The German word "Rost" is always masculine. So, you always say der Rost, regardless of whether you mean the corrosion of metal or a grill grate. Just remember: der Rost.