der  Sprung

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʃpʁʊŋ/

🧐 What does "der Sprung" actually mean?

The noun der Sprung (masculine) has several meanings:

• 🏃‍♂️ The act of jumping/a leap: The most common meaning refers to the action or result of jumping, a leap into the air or over an obstacle. Example: Der Weitspringer machte einen gewaltigen Sprung. (The long jumper made a huge jump.)
• 📈 A sudden change/increase/development: It can also describe a sudden, often large increase, improvement, or change. Example: Die Aktie machte einen Sprung nach oben. (The stock made a leap upwards.) Es war ein Sprung ins kalte Wasser. (It was a leap into the deep end / jump into cold water.)
• 💔 A crack or fissure: Another meaning is a fine crack in a material, often glass or porcelain. Example: Die Tasse hat einen Sprung bekommen. (The cup got a crack.)

⚠️ Attention: The meaning is usually clear from the context.

📊 Grammar of "der Sprung" in Detail

Der Sprung is a masculine noun.

💡 Example Sentences

1. Der Sprung über die Hürde war elegant. (The jump over the hurdle was elegant. - Meaning: Movement)
2. Sein Karrieresprung kam unerwartet. (His career leap came unexpectedly. - Meaning: Development)
3. Vorsicht, das Glas hat einen Sprung! (Careful, the glass has a crack! - Meaning: Crack)
4. Die Katze machte einen Sprung auf das Sofa. (The cat made a jump onto the sofa. - Meaning: Movement)
5. Ein Sprung in der Schüssel bedeutet nicht immer das Ende. (A crack in the bowl doesn't always mean the end. - Meaning: Crack)

🗣️ How is "der Sprung" used?

• In sports: Very common in the context of athletics (Weitsprung - long jump, Hochsprung - high jump), diving (Wasserspringen), ski jumping (Skispringen), etc.
• Figuratively: Often used for sudden developments (Quantensprung - quantum leap, Gedankensprung - jump in thought, Preissprung - price jump). The phrase "auf dem Sprung sein" means to be ready to leave or do something immediately. "Einen Sprung machen" can also mean to make progress.
• With materials: Describes damage like cracks, often in brittle materials (glass, ceramics, ice). "Einen Sprung in der Schüssel haben" (lit. 'to have a crack in the bowl') is an idiom meaning 'to be crazy' or 'have a screw loose'.

There's little risk of confusion, as the context usually makes the meaning clear. The verb is springen (to jump).

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Sprung"

For the article 'der': Think of der Sportler (the male athlete) who makes der Sprung. Or think of der Riss (the crack) which is masculine, just like der Sprung when it means 'crack'.

For the meanings: Imagine an athlete (Sprung 1: jump/leap) making a huge leap forward in his career (Sprung 2: development/leap), but landing so hard that the trophy gets a Sprung (Sprung 3: crack).

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar words: die Spritze (injection, syringe - sounds somewhat similar but totally different meaning), der Spruch (saying, motto).

😂 A Little Jump for Laughs

Warum können Skelette schlecht vom Zehnmeterbrett springen?

Weil sie nicht den nötigen Mumm in den Knochen haben! 😉

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Why are skeletons bad at diving from the 10-meter board?

Because they don't have the guts (or literally: 'the marrow in their bones')! 😉

✍️ Poem about der Sprung

Ein kleiner Riss, ein feiner Sprung,
Im Glas, das einst so fröhlich klung.
Ein Satz nach vorn, mit Mut und Schwung,
Ein Lebenssprung, noch frisch und jung.
Mal Fortschritt schnell, mal nur ein Hauch,
So zeigt sich Wandel, ist's Gebrauch.

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A little tear, a subtle crack (Sprung),
In glass that once so gladly clacked.
A leap ahead, with courage's track,
A life's leap (Sprung), young and on attack.
Sometimes swift progress, sometimes slight,
So change appears, used day and night.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich kann dich hoch in Lüfte heben,
Kann Fortschritt dir im Leben geben.
Doch bin ich auch ein Makel klein,
In Glas und Tasse kann ich sein.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: Der Sprung

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I can lift you high into the air,
Can give you progress in life's affair.
But I am also a defect small,
In glass and cup, I can befall.

What am I?

Solution: Der Sprung (the jump/leap/crack)

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition: The noun "der Sprung" is derived from the verb "springen" (to jump) - it's a substantivization of the verb stem.

Idioms:

• Auf dem Sprung sein: To be about to leave or start something. (Lit. 'to be on the jump')
• Einen Sprung in der Schüssel haben: To be crazy, have a screw loose. (Lit. 'to have a crack in the bowl')
• Sprünge machen: To make progress (often unexpectedly good). (Lit. 'to make jumps')
• Ein Sprung ins kalte Wasser: Starting a new, unfamiliar task without preparation. (Lit. 'a jump into cold water')