der  Rutsch

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʁʊtʃ/

🧐 What Exactly is 'der Rutsch'?

The noun der Rutsch (masculine) has several meanings in German:

• 💨 The act of sliding: The primary meaning describes sliding or slipping on a surface. Example: Der plötzliche Rutsch auf dem Eis war unerwartet. (The sudden slide on the ice was unexpected.)
• 🏞️ A slide (playground): It often refers to a children's slide in a playground (colloquial shortening for die Rutsche). Example: Die Kinder lieben den großen Rutsch im Park. (The children love the big slide in the park.)
• ⛰️ A landslide/rockslide: A sudden movement of earth or rock masses. The compound word der Erdrutsch (landslide) is often more common here. Example: Nach dem starken Regen gab es einen gefährlichen Rutsch am Hang. (After the heavy rain, there was a dangerous slide on the slope.)
• 🎉 The transition into the New Year: Especially in the phrase "Einen guten Rutsch (ins neue Jahr)!" (literally "a good slide (into the new year)"), one wishes a smooth transition. Example: Wir wünschen euch allen einen guten Rutsch! (We wish you all a happy New Year!)
• 🚗 A short trip/tour (colloquial): Less commonly, but regionally possible, "ein Rutsch" can mean a short jaunt or trip. Example: Lass uns am Wochenende einen Rutsch an die See machen. (Let's take a quick trip to the seaside this weekend.)

⚠️ Although the grammatically correct term for a playground slide is die Rutsche (feminine), you might regionally hear der Rutsch used colloquially.

📐 Grammar of 'der Rutsch'

The word "Rutsch" is a masculine noun. Its declension is as follows:

💬 Example Sentences

1. Der nasse Boden verursachte einen unerwarteten Rutsch.
   (The wet ground caused an unexpected slide/slip.)
2. Pass auf, nach dem Regen könnte es einen Rutsch am Hang geben.
   (Be careful, there might be a landslide on the slope after the rain.)
3. Wir wünschen euch einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr!
   (We wish you a good slide into the New Year! / Happy New Year!)
4. Die Kinder hatten Spaß auf dem langen Rutsch.
   (The children had fun on the long slide. [colloquial])
5. Machen wir schnell einen Rutsch in die Stadt?
   (Shall we make a quick trip into town? [colloquial])

💡 How to Use 'der Rutsch'

• Everyday life: You talk about a "Rutsch" when someone or something slides or slips (e.g., auf Eis - on ice, auf einer Bananenschale - on a banana peel).
• Playground: Children enjoy a "Rutsch" on the slide (although die Rutsche is more correct).
• Natural events: Warnings about landslides or after heavy rainfall use "der Rutsch" (or the more specific der Erdrutsch).
• New Year's Eve/Day: The phrase "Einen guten Rutsch!" is a fixed expression for New Year's wishes and very common. Its origin is debated, possibly from Yiddish "Rosh" (head, start -> Rosh Hashanah, Jewish New Year) or simply the image of sliding into the new year.
• Colloquial speech: The meaning "short trip" is informal and regionally limited.

Compared to das Rutschen (the gerund, meaning the act of sliding itself), der Rutsch refers more to the single event or the object (the slide).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Rutsch'

Article Mnemonic: Think of DER Man (the man) who has a bad Rutsch (slide/slip) on the ice. Or for New Year's: Wish for DER gute Rutsch (the good slide) into the New Year!

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone shouting "Rats!" (sounds a bit like Rutsch) as they slide down a hill (could be snow, could be a landslide!), maybe on their way to a New Year's party (Guten Rutsch!) or just a quick trip (colloquial).

↔️ Opposites and Similarities

⚠️ Similar Words:

• rutschen (verb): The action leading to a Rutsch. Er ist ausgerutscht. (He slipped.)
• die Rutsche (feminine noun): The correct term for a playground slide.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Pinguin Angst vor dem Rutsch ins neue Jahr?
(Why is the penguin afraid of the 'slide' into the New Year?)

Weil er nicht schon wieder auf dem Eis ausrutschen will!
(Because he doesn't want to slip on the ice again!) 🐧

📜 Poem about 'Rutsch'

Ein kleiner Rutsch auf glattem Eis,
(A little slide on slippery ice,)
man landet schnell, oh welcher Preis!
(you land quickly, oh what a price!)
Doch auch ins Jahr, so neu und frisch,
(But also into the year, so new and fresh,)
kommt man mit einem guten Rutsch!
(you get there with a 'good slide'!) Am Hang jedoch, da sei gewarnt,
(On the slope, however, be warned,)
ein Rutsch oft Unheil schon gebahnt.
(a slide has often paved the way for disaster.)

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich kann ein Gleiten sein,
(I can be a slide,)
oder ein Hang, der fällt herein.
(or a slope that caves in.)
Zu Neujahr wünscht man mich dir gut,
(For New Year, people wish me well for you,)
pass auf, sonst landest du im Schmutz!
(be careful, or you'll land in the muck!)

Was bin ich?
(What am I?)

Lösung (Solution): der Rutsch

⚙️ More About the Word

Word Formation: The noun "der Rutsch" is derived from the verb "rutschen" (to slide, to slip).

Compounds (Komposita):

• Erdrutsch: A very common compound emphasizing the specific meaning of soil sliding down.
• Hangrutsch: Similar to Erdrutsch, emphasizing the location (slope).
• Steinrutsch: When rocks slide down.
• Wasserrutsche: A water slide (e.g., in a swimming pool). Note that the article here is feminine: "die Wasserrutsche".

Cultural Significance: The expression "Guten Rutsch!" is deeply embedded in German culture for New Year's Eve.