der  Satz

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/zats/

📚 What does "der Satz" mean?

The German word der Satz is a masculine noun with a surprisingly large number of meanings. Here are the most important ones:

• 💬 Grammatical unit (Sentence): The most common meaning. A Satz is a complete linguistic utterance, usually containing a subject and a predicate. (e.g., "Ich lerne Deutsch." - "I am learning German.")
• 🤸 Leap / Jump: A sudden, often wide, movement upwards or forwards. (e.g., "Er machte einen Satz über den Zaun." - "He took a leap over the fence.")
• 🔢 Set / Group: A collection of related items. (e.g., "ein Satz Reifen" - "a set of tires", "ein Satz Werkzeuge" - "a set of tools"). In sports (tennis, volleyball), it refers to a section of the game. (e.g., "den ersten Satz gewinnen" - "to win the first set")
• 🧪 Deposit / Sediment: Solid particles that settle out of a liquid. (e.g., "der Kaffeesatz" - "the coffee grounds")
• 🎶 Musical Movement: A self-contained section within a larger musical work (e.g., a symphony). (e.g., "der zweite Satz der Sonate" - "the second movement of the sonata")
• 🧠 Theorem / Principle: A fundamental principle or rule in science or mathematics. (e.g., "der Satz des Pythagoras" - "the Pythagorean theorem")
• 💰 Rate / Tariff: A fixed price or percentage. (e.g., "der Mehrwertsteuersatz" - "the VAT rate")

⚠️ Pay attention to the context to understand the correct meaning!

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "der Satz" in Detail

Der Satz is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:

💡 Example Sentences

1. Grammar: Dieser Satz ist zu lang. (This sentence is too long.)
2. Grammar: Die Struktur des Satzes ist komplex. (The structure of the sentence is complex.)
3. Leap: Mit einem Satz war die Katze auf dem Dach. (With one leap, the cat was on the roof.)
4. Set: Ich brauche einen neuen Satz Winterreifen. (I need a new set of winter tires.)
5. Sports: Sie haben alle drei Sätze gewonnen. (They won all three sets.)
6. Sediment: In der Flasche war viel Satz. (There were a lot of grounds/sediment in the bottle.)
7. Music: Wir hören den zweiten Satz der Symphonie. (We are listening to the second movement of the symphony.)

🗣️ How to use "der Satz"?

The usage of der Satz heavily depends on its specific meaning:

• In language context: Here, der Satz usually means the grammatical unit (sentence). People talk about kurze Sätze (short sentences), lange Sätze (long sentences), Hauptsätze (main clauses), Nebensätze (subordinate clauses), Fragesätze (interrogative sentences), etc. Example: "Formuliere bitte ganze Sätze!" ("Please formulate complete sentences!")
• In sports: In tennis or volleyball, you win Sätze (sets) to win the match. Example: "Er führt mit zwei Sätzen." ("He is leading by two sets.")
• Describing sets/groups: Often used for items that belong together and are sold or used as a unit. Example: "Ein Satz Bettwäsche besteht aus Kissen- und Deckenbezug." ("A set of bed linen consists of a pillowcase and a duvet cover.")
• For movements: Describes a quick jump or a sudden forward motion (leap). Example: "Mit einem Satz sprang er auf." ("He jumped up with one leap.")
• In mathematics/science: Refers to a proven theorem or principle. Example: "Der Satz des Pythagoras ist fundamental." ("The Pythagorean theorem is fundamental.")
• In music: Divides larger works into movements. Example: "Der dritte Satz ist oft ein Scherzo." ("The third movement is often a scherzo.")
• Finance/Economics: Refers to rates or percentages. Example: "Der Zinssatz wurde erhöht." ("The interest rate was increased.")

➡️ Context is key! Confusion is rare because the areas of application are usually clearly distinct.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Satz"

Article Mnemonic (der):

Imagine a strong (masculine -> der) speaker delivering a powerful sentence (der Satz) or a strong athlete making a high leap (der Satz). Remember: Der strong guy makes der Satz.

Meaning Mnemonic (Variety):

Picture this: A professor (theorem - Lehrsatz) writes a long sentence (Satz) on the board, drinks coffee with grounds (Satz), listens to the 2nd movement (Satz) of a symphony, buys a set (Satz) of tires, and then takes a joyful leap (Satz) home. One word, many scenes linked by 'Satz'!

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms of "der Satz"

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Der Absatz: Can mean paragraph, shoe heel, or sales. Don't confuse with Satz (sentence).
• Die Zutat: An ingredient in cooking, not sediment.

😂 A Little Joke

Lehrer: "Nennt mir drei berühmte Sätze!"
Schüler: "Der Satz des Pythagoras, der Hauptsatz und der Kaffeesatz meiner Oma!"

Teacher: "Name three famous 'Sätze' (sentences/theorems/grounds)!"
Student: "The Pythagorean theorem (Satz des Pythagoras), the main clause (Hauptsatz), and my grandma's coffee grounds (Kaffeesatz)!"

📜 Poem about "der Satz"

Ein Satz beginnt, ein Punkt macht Schluss,
(A sentence starts, a period ends its run,)
Erzählt von Freude oder Frust.
(Tells tales of sorrow or of fun.)
Ein Satz nach vorn, ein kühner Sprung,
(A leap ahead, a daring jump so high,)
Bringt manchmal auch Begeisterung.
(Can also bring excitement nigh.)
Ein Satz von Dingen, wohl sortiert,
(A set of things, arranged with care,)
Ein Satz Musik, der uns berührt.
(A movement played beyond compare.)
Ob Lehre, Sport, ob trüber Rest –
(Be it theorem, sports, or murky brew –)
Der Satz hält vieles für uns fest.
(Der Satz holds many things for you.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich kann gesprochen oder geschrieben sein,
(I can be spoken or be written down,)
Kann auch ein Sprung ins Ungewisse sein.
(I can be a leap to places unknown.)
Mal bin ich eine Gruppe, mal ein Rest im Glas,
(Sometimes a group, sometimes dregs in a glass,)
Im Tennis bring ich Spielern Spaß.
(In tennis, I help players pass.)

Was bin ich? / What am I?

... Der Satz

✨ More about "Satz"

Compound Words (Wortzusammensetzungen):

Der Satz is part of many important German words:

• Satzbau: Sentence structure.
• Hauptsatz/Nebensatz: Main clause/subordinate clause.
• Satzzeichen: Punctuation marks (like period, comma, etc.).
• Datensatz: Data set, data record.
• Lehrsatz: Theorem, principle (e.g., in mathematics).
• Zinssatz: Interest rate.
• Satzung: Statutes, bylaws of an association or organization (etymologically related to 'setzen' - to set/place, but a distinct concept).

Etymology (Wortherkunft):

The word "Satz" originates from the verb "sitzen" (to sit) or more directly "setzen" (to set, put, place). The core idea is something that has been "set" or "established" – whether it's a linguistic utterance, an arrangement of things, a fixed principle, or something that has settled (sediment).