der  Tresor

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/tʁeˈzoːɐ̯/

🗝️ What Exactly is 'der Tresor'?

A Tresor (der Tresor, plural: die Tresore) is a specially secured container, usually made of steel, designed to protect valuables, important documents, money, or other sensitive items from theft, fire, or other damage. It is typically equipped with a complex lock (*Zahlenschloss* - combination lock, *Schlüsselschloss* - key lock, *elektronisches Schloss* - electronic lock).

Different types exist, for example:

• Wandtresor: A safe built into a wall.
• Möbeltresor: A safe small enough to be placed inside a piece of furniture.
• Panzerschrank: A particularly large and heavy version, often free-standing (*vault*).

The word comes from the French trésor, meaning "treasure".

Article rules for der, die, and das

Grammar Guide: Unlocking 'der Tresor' 🔓

The word "Tresor" is a masculine noun. The article is always der.

Note: It follows a standard masculine declension pattern, adding -s in the genitive singular and -e/-en in the plural cases.

Example Sentences

1. Der neue Tresor wurde gestern geliefert.
   (The new safe was delivered yesterday.)
2. Der Inhalt des Tresors ist streng geheim.
   (The contents of the safe are top secret.)
3. Der Dieb konnte dem Tresor nichts anhaben.
   (The thief couldn't damage the safe.)
4. Sie schloss die Juwelen sicher in den Tresor ein.
   (She locked the jewels securely in the safe.)
5. Die Bank verfügt über mehrere große Tresore im Keller.
   (The bank has several large vaults in the basement.)

Context is Key: Using 'der Tresor' Correctly 🏦

The term "Tresor" is used in contexts involving high security for valuable or sensitive items.

• Banking: Banks use large *Tresorräume* (vault rooms) and individual *Tresore* to secure money and customer deposits (*Schließfächer* - safe deposit boxes).
• Businesses: Companies store important business documents, cash, or data carriers in *Tresore*.
• Private households: Used to secure jewelry, heirlooms, cash, weapons, or important documents (passports, certificates).
• Hotels: Hotel rooms are often equipped with small *Möbeltresore* (furniture safes / in-room safes) for guests.

Linguistically, "Tresor" is a *neutral to formal* term. In everyday language, the English loanword Safe [seːf] is also commonly used as a synonym (der Safe, plural: die Safes).

A Schließfach (das Schließfach) is usually smaller and often located within a larger vault room (e.g., in a bank), whereas a *Tresor* is a standalone security container.

🧠 Memory Hooks for 'der Tresor'

Article Mnemonic: Think: 'Der' **R**obbe**r** really wants 'der' Tresor. (The strong 'R' sounds connect to the masculine 'der').

Meaning Mnemonic: It sounds like the French 'trésor' (treasure). A *Tresor* is where you keep your treasure safe.

Word Hoard: Synonyms & Similar Terms 🔄

😂 Time for a Laugh: A Safe Joke

German: Fragt der Richter den Einbrecher: "Warum haben Sie gerade diesen Tresor aufgebrochen?"
Sagt der Einbrecher: "Herr Richter, da war doch ein Schild dran: 'Bitte hier öffnen!'"

English Translation: The judge asks the burglar: "Why did you break into this particular safe?"
The burglar replies: "Your Honor, there was a sign on it: 'Please open here!'"

📜 Steel Poetry

German:
Ein Kasten schwer, aus Stahl gemacht,
Der Tresor hält sicher Wacht.
Ob Gold, ob Brief, ob Diamant,
Er schützt es fest mit starker Hand.
Sein Schloss ein Rätsel, kalt und stumm,
Dreht man den Code, ist's nicht mehr krumm.
Im Innern ruht, was wertvoll ist,
Bewahrt vor Schaden, Dieb und List.

English Translation:
A heavy box, of steel it's made,
The safe keeps watch, securely stayed.
Be it gold, or letter, diamond bright,
It guards it firmly with strong might.
Its lock a puzzle, cold and mum,
Turn the code, it's overcome.
Inside rests what's valuable,
Protected from harm, thief, and pull.

❓ Crack the Safe Riddle!

German:
Ich habe Wände, doch kein Haus.
Ich habe ein Schloss, doch lass niemanden einfach raus.
Ich hüte Schätze, groß und klein,
doch selbst bin ich aus Stahl und Stein (oder Metall).
Man braucht 'nen Schlüssel oder Code,
sonst bleibt mein Inhalt in der Not.

Was bin ich? ... Der Tresor

English Translation:
I have walls, but not a house.
I have a lock, but don't just let anyone out.
I guard treasures, big and small,
but I myself am made of steel and stone (or metal).
You need a key or code,
otherwise, my contents remain bestowed (in need).

What am I? ... A safe (Der Tresor)

💡 Extra Loot: More about 'Tresor'

• Etymology: The word "Tresor" comes from the French word "trésor", meaning "treasure". This, in turn, derives from the Latin "thesaurus", which also means "treasure" or "treasury".
• Security Grades: *Tresore* are often classified according to European standards (e.g., EN 1143-1) into different security grades (*Sicherheitsstufen*). These indicate how resistant a safe is to burglary attempts and often influence insurance coverage for the contents.
• Fire Protection: Many safes offer not only burglary protection (*Einbruchschutz*) but also some degree of fire protection (*Feuerschutz*) for documents or data media.