der
Stempel
🖋️ What does "der Stempel" mean?
The word der Stempel has several meanings:
- Stamp device: A tool (often made of wood, metal, or rubber) with a raised pattern or text that is transferred to a surface using ink or pressure. Example: Ein Gummistempel fürs Büro (A rubber stamp for the office).
- Imprint/Mark: The sign or image created by stamping. Example: Der Poststempel auf dem Brief (The postmark on the letter).
- Technical component (piston/plunger): In engineering, especially mechanical engineering, Stempel often refers to a piston or a part of a press that applies pressure. Example: Der Stempel einer hydraulischen Presse (The plunger of a hydraulic press).
It is a masculine noun and always used with the article der.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-el → mostly masculine.
1. Caution: many exceptions. 2. there are many -el words, we don't list them all.
📊 Grammar of "der Stempel"
Der Stempel is a masculine noun.
Singular Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Stempel |
| Genitive | des | Stempels |
| Dative | dem | Stempel |
| Accusative | den | Stempel |
Plural Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Stempel |
| Genitive | der | Stempel |
| Dative | den | Stempeln |
| Accusative | die | Stempel |
Example Sentences 📝
- Der Beamte drückte den Stempel auf das Dokument.
(The official pressed the stamp onto the document.) [Device] - Der Stempel auf dem Pass war kaum leserlich.
(The stamp/imprint on the passport was barely legible.) [Imprint] - Kannst du mir bitte den Firmenstempel geben?
(Can you please give me the company stamp?) [Device] - Der Stempel der Maschine presst das Metall in Form.
(The machine's plunger/press tool shapes the metal.) [Technical Component]
💡 How to use "der Stempel"?
- In daily office life: Very common for the device used to mark documents (e.g., Datumsstempel - date stamp, Firmenstempel - company stamp, "Paid" stamp).
- At the post office: The Poststempel (postmark) indicates the place and date a letter or package was mailed.
- In technology: As a term for a piston or pressing tool in machines.
- Figuratively: The phrase "jemandem seinen Stempel aufdrücken" means to leave one's mark on someone or something, heavily influencing them.
Confusion is rare as the context usually clarifies the intended meaning.
🧠 Mnemonics for "der Stempel"
Article Mnemonic: Imagine a strong DERvish (whirling dancer, often male) using a Stempel to mark his path. The masculine 'Dervish' helps remember 'der'. Or, think of the stamping action as powerful, like a man (der Mann).
Meaning Mnemonic: Think of a "stempede" leaving marks (like a Stempel) everywhere. Or, "Stemp" sounds a bit like "stamp".
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "der Stempel"
Synonyms
- For the device: Prägestempel (embossing stamp), Gummiabdruckgerät (rubber stamping device)
- For the imprint: Abdruck (imprint), Aufdruck (print), Siegel (seal - often archaic or for wax), Poststempel (postmark - specific)
- For the component: Kolben (piston), Pressstempel (press tool), Bolzen (bolt, pin - can overlap in some contexts)
Antonyms
Direct antonyms are difficult. Conceptually, you might consider:
- For imprint: Leerstelle (blank space), unmarkierter Bereich (unmarked area)
😂 A little joke
Warum hat der Stempel seinen Job gekündigt?
Er fühlte sich ständig unter Druck gesetzt und fand seine Arbeit zu eintönig – immer nur aufdrücken!
--- English Translation ---
Why did the stamp quit his job?
He constantly felt under pressure and found his work too monotonous – always just making an impression! (Pun: 'aufdrücken' means 'to press on'/'to imprint', and feeling 'unter Druck gesetzt' means 'under pressure'.)
📜 Poem about the Stempel
Der Stempel, fest und klar,
macht manches Dokument nun wahr.
Ein Druck, ein Zeichen auf Papier,
Datum, Name, steht nun hier.
Im Büro, auf Post und Amt,
hat er Bedeutung, wohlbekannt.
--- English Translation ---
The stamp, firm and clear,
makes many documents now appear
true and valid. A press, a mark on paper near,
Date, name, now stands right here.
In office, post, official sphere,
it holds importance, well-revered.
❓ Riddle
Ich habe ein Gesicht, doch keinen Mund,
hinterlasse Zeichen zu jeder Stund'.
Auf Briefen reise ich durchs ganze Land,
manchmal bin ich auch aus Gummi bekannt.
In Maschinen drück' ich mit Gewalt,
sage Papieren ihren Aufenthalt.
Was bin ich?
Lösung: der Stempel
--- English Translation ---
I have a face, but not a mouth,
I leave marks at every hour's growth.
On letters, I travel across the land,
sometimes I'm known from rubber in hand.
In machines, I press with might,
telling papers their place and site.
What am I?
Solution: the stamp (der Stempel)
🧐 More Information
Word Formation: The word "Stempel" derives from the verb "stampfen" (to stomp) or "stemmen" (to press against), indicating the pressing or impacting motion used in stamping. The ending "-el" is a suffix used to form nouns, often for tools.
Cultural Note: In Germany, the official stamp (Amtsstempel) holds significant importance for the validity of documents.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Stempel?
The word "Stempel" is masculine, so the correct article is der. There are no alternative articles for this noun. Its main meanings are a device for marking (stamp), the mark itself (imprint, postmark), or a technical component (piston, plunger).