der  Strand

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʃtʁant/

🏖️ What does "der Strand" mean?

Der Strand (noun, masculine) refers to a strip of land, usually sandy or pebbly, that borders a sea, lake, or river. It's the transition zone between water and solid ground. In English, it translates to beach or shore.

There's only this one article for the word: der. There are no other meanings associated with 'die' or 'das'.

• Main meaning: Shore area of a body of water (usually the sea), often covered with sand or pebbles.

🧐 Grammar of "der Strand" in Detail

The noun "Strand" is masculine. Here is its declension:

💡 Example Sentences

1. Wir gehen heute an den Strand.
   (We are going to the beach today.)
2. Der Sand des Strandes ist sehr fein.
   (The sand of the beach is very fine.)
3. Viele Menschen liegen im Sommer am Strand (an dem Strand).
   (Many people lie on the beach in summer.)
4. Die Kinder bauen Sandburgen an den Stränden der Nordsee.
   (The children build sandcastles on the beaches of the North Sea.)

🏄 How to Use "Strand"?

"Der Strand" is primarily used to describe the shore area of a sea or large lake, used for swimming, sunbathing, walking, or other leisure activities.

• Typical contexts: Urlaub (vacation), Sommer (summer), Meer (sea), See (lake), Erholung (recreation), Spaziergang (walk), Sandburg (sandcastle), Sonnenbad (sunbathing).
• Expressions: "an den Strand gehen/fahren" (to go/drive to the beach), "am Strand liegen" (to lie on the beach), "einen Strandspaziergang machen" (to take a walk on the beach).
• Distinction:
  • Ufer (shore, bank): More general term for the edge area of any body of water (river, lake, sea). "Strand" is more specific (often sand/pebbles, usually sea/large lake).
  • Küste (coast): The entire strip of land along a sea. A *Strand* is part of the *Küste*.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Strand"

1. Article Mnemonic: Think of a strong life-guard ('der' ends in 'r') watching over the beach. Strong men are often associated with masculine nouns -> der Strand.
2. Meaning Mnemonic: "Strand" sounds a bit like the English word "stranded". People often feel happily "stranded" on a Strand (beach) during a relaxing vacation.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words (Caution!)

• Gestrandet (adjective/participle): Means *stranded* (ship run aground) or *stuck* somewhere unwillingly. Etymologically related to *Strand*.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Skelette keinen Urlaub am Strand?

Sie haben keinen Körper zum Bräunen! 😉

(Why don't skeletons take vacations at the beach? They have no body to tan!)

📜 Poem about the Beach

Der Strand, so weit, der Sand so fein,
hier möcht' ich immer sein.
Die Wellen rauschen, sacht und leis,
ich schließe meine Augen, bin auf meiner Reis'.
Die Sonne wärmt, der Wind weht kühl,
am Strand find ich mein Glücksgefühl.

(The beach, so wide, the sand so fine,
here I'd always like to be.
The waves murmur, soft and low,
I close my eyes, I'm on my journey.
The sun warms, the wind blows cool,
on the beach I find my bliss.)

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich liege zwischen Land und Meer,
bin mal voll Sand, mal steinig schwer.
Im Sommer bin ich sehr begehrt,
wer hat mich richtig hier erklärt?

(I lie between land and sea,
Sometimes full of sand, sometimes stony and heavy.
In summer, I am highly sought after,
Who has explained me correctly here?)

Solution: der Strand (the beach)

✨ Other Information

• Compound Words: The word "Strand" is part of many compound nouns (Komposita), e.g.:
  • Strandkorb: A roofed wicker beach chair, typical for German beaches (literally 'beach basket').
  • Strandgut: Flotsam and jetsam; things washed ashore by the sea (literally 'beach goods').
  • Sandstrand: Sandy beach.
  • Strandurlaub: Beach vacation.
  • Strandpromenade: Beach promenade/boardwalk.
• Etymology: The word "Strand" is of Germanic origin and related to the English word "strand", which also means shore or coast.