der
Staubsauger
🧹 What exactly is a 'Staubsauger'?
The German word Staubsauger refers to a household appliance that uses an air pump to create a partial vacuum to suck up dust and small dirt particles from floors, carpets, furniture, and other surfaces. In English, it's called a vacuum cleaner.
The word is always masculine: der Staubsauger. There are no other articles or meanings associated with this noun.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Devices → mostly masculine.
Caution: das Gerät
-er → mostly masculine.
1. Caution: many exceptions. 2. almost all -euer nouns are neutral. 3. There are many -er words, we don't list them all.
🧐 Grammar: 'Der Staubsauger' in Detail
The noun 'Staubsauger' is masculine. Here are the declension tables:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | der | Staubsauger | the vacuum cleaner |
| Genitive (Whose?) | des | Staubsaugers | of the vacuum cleaner |
| Dative (To whom/what?) | dem | Staubsauger | to/for the vacuum cleaner |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | den | Staubsauger | the vacuum cleaner |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Staubsauger | the vacuum cleaners |
| Genitive | der | Staubsauger | of the vacuum cleaners |
| Dative | den | Staubsaugern | to/for the vacuum cleaners |
| Accusative | die | Staubsauger | the vacuum cleaners |
Example Sentences
- Der neue Staubsauger ist viel leiser als der alte. (The new vacuum cleaner is much quieter than the old one.)
- Ich muss den Beutel des Staubsaugers wechseln. (I need to change the bag of the vacuum cleaner.)
- Gibst du dem Staubsauger bitte die andere Düse? (Could you please give the vacuum cleaner the other nozzle?)
- Hast du den Staubsauger schon benutzt? (Have you used the vacuum cleaner yet?)
- Im Geschäft standen viele verschiedene Staubsauger zur Auswahl. (There were many different vacuum cleaners to choose from in the store.)
💡 Everyday Use
The term Staubsauger is commonly used for the cleaning device. Different types are often distinguished:
- Bodenstaubsauger: The classic cylinder/canister vacuum cleaner with a hose and nozzle.
- Handstaubsauger: Smaller, often cordless devices for crumbs or cars (handheld vacuum).
- Staubsaugerroboter: Autonomous devices that vacuum on their own (robot vacuum).
- Industriestaubsauger: More powerful devices for workshops or construction sites (industrial vacuum).
For example, you might say: "Ich muss noch staubsaugen" (I still need to vacuum) or "Der Staubsauger steht im Schrank" (The vacuum cleaner is in the closet). The related verb is "staubsaugen" (to vacuum), which is separable: ich sauge Staub (I vacuum).
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic: Think of a vacuum cleaner as a strong helper (masculine). Der sounds a bit like 'the dirt' which the vacuum cleaner removes. Or imagine a powerful male robot (der Roboter) that is a Staubsauger.
Meaning Mnemonic: Break down the word: 'Staub' means dust, and 'sauger' means sucker (from the verb 'saugen' - to suck). So, it's literally a 'dust sucker' -> vacuum cleaner.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms
- Sauger (Short form, colloquial; means 'sucker')
- Bodenstaubsauger (More specific type: cylinder/canister vacuum)
- Staubsauggerät (Slightly more formal; 'vacuuming device')
Antonyms (Conceptual)
- Besen (broom - sweeps, doesn't suck)
- Wischmopp (mop - cleans wet)
- Kehrblech und Handfeger (dustpan and brush - manual sweeping)
⚠️ Note: While 'Sauger' is a common short form for Staubsauger, it can also mean other things like a suction cup or colloquially someone annoying. Context is key.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Staubsauger schlechte Laune?
Weil ihm ständig jemand auf dem Schlauch steht!
(Why is the vacuum cleaner in a bad mood?
Because someone is always standing on its hose! - This is also a German idiom meaning 'to be slow on the uptake' or 'to not understand something'.)
📜 Poem about the 'Staubsauger'
Der Staubsauger, ein lauter Freund,
hat Staub und Krümel schnell vereint.
Er rollt durchs Zimmer, hin und her,
macht alles sauber, bitte sehr.
Mit Kabel lang und starkem Zug,
ist er im Haus oft klug genug,
den Schmutz zu fangen, groß und klein,
so wird die Wohnung wieder rein.
(The vacuum cleaner, a loud friend,
has quickly united dust and crumbs.
It rolls through the room, back and forth,
makes everything clean, if you please.
With a long cord and strong pull,
it's often smart enough in the house,
to catch the dirt, large and small,
so the apartment becomes clean again.)
❓ Who am I?
Ich habe einen Schlauch, doch bin kein Gartengerät.
Ich fresse Staub, doch lebe nicht.
Ich mache Lärm, doch singe nicht.
Man braucht mich oft, wenn Schmutz anfällt.
Wer bin ich?
(I have a hose, but I'm not a garden tool.
I eat dust, but I don't live.
I make noise, but I don't sing.
You often need me when there's dirt.
Who am I?)
Answer: Der Staubsauger (The vacuum cleaner)
🧩 Interesting Details
Word Composition: The word "Staubsauger" is a compound noun, formed from:
- Staub (noun): dust (fine particles of earth or other solid matter).
- saugen (verb): to suck (to draw in liquid or air by creating a vacuum). The part "-sauger" is a nominalization of the verb, meaning 'sucker'.
Trivia: The first electric vacuum cleaner was invented in the early 20th century. Today, there is a huge variety of models, from bagless cyclone vacuums (beutellose Zyklon-Staubsauger) to intelligent robot vacuums (intelligente Saugroboter).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Staubsauger?
The word "Staubsauger" is always masculine. The correct form is: der Staubsauger.