der
Trip
🌍 What Exactly is a "Trip"?
The word der Trip is an Anglicism (from English trip) and primarily has two meanings in German:
-
A (short) journey or excursion ✈️: It's often used for spontaneous or shorter journeys.
Example: Wir machen am Wochenende einen kleinen Trip an die See. (We're taking a little trip to the coast this weekend.)
-
A state of intoxication, especially drug-induced (hallucinogens) 😵💫: This meaning refers to the psychological experience under the influence of drugs.
Example: Er hatte einen schlechten Trip nach dem Konsum von LSD. (He had a bad trip after taking LSD. Also known as a "Horrortrip").
🚨 Attention: Context is crucial for understanding the intended meaning!
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Trip
The noun "Trip" is masculine and takes the article der. It originates from English.
Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Trip |
| Genitive | des | Trips |
| Dative | dem | Trip |
| Accusative | den | Trip |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Trips |
| Genitive | der | Trips |
| Dative | den | Trips |
| Accusative | die | Trips |
Example Sentences
- Der nächste Trip geht nach Berlin. (The next trip is to Berlin. - Journey)
- Sie erzählte von ihrem ersten LSD-Trip. (She talked about her first LSD trip. - Drug experience)
- Viele junge Leute planen kurze Trips über das Wochenende. (Many young people plan short trips over the weekend. - Journeys)
- Manche Drogen können gefährliche Trips auslösen. (Some drugs can trigger dangerous trips. - Drug experiences)
💡 How to Use "Trip" Correctly
The usage of der Trip heavily depends on the context:
- Travel Context: Here, "Trip" is rather colloquial for a short excursion or journey. It sounds more modern and casual than "Reise" (journey, travel) or "Ausflug" (excursion, outing). People often talk about a "Kurztrip" (short trip), "Wochenendtrip" (weekend trip), or "Städtetrip" (city trip).
- Drug Context: In this context, "Trip" describes the subjective experience during a state of intoxication, often associated with hallucinations or altered perception. It can be positive ("guter Trip" - good trip) or negative ("Horrortrip" - horror trip).
Comparison with Similar Words:
- Reise: General term for travel over a longer distance or duration.
- Ausflug: Usually a short journey to a specific destination, often for recreation. "Trip" can be synonymous but sounds more informal.
- Rausch: General state of intoxication (e.g., from alcohol). "Trip" refers more specifically to the psychological experience with certain drugs.
⚠️ Avoid confusion: "Der Tipp" (with 'pp') means tip or hint.
🧠 Mnemonics for "der Trip"
Mnemonic for the Article:
Think of a man (masculine, like 'der') taking a Trip. DER Mann macht einen Trip.
Mnemonic for the Meanings:
A Trip can take you far away – either by plane ✈️ or in your head 😵💫.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Words
Meaning 1: Journey/Excursion
Synonyms:
Meaning 2: State of Intoxication
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
- die Nüchternheit (sobriety)
- die Klarheit (clarity)
- der Normalzustand (normal state)
Similar, but different words:
- Der Tipp: A tip, hint.
- Der Strip: A strip; also: striptease.
😄 A Little Joke
German:
Fragt der eine Kumpel den anderen: "War dein Trip nach Amsterdam gut?"
Antwortet der andere: "Welcher von beiden?" 😉
English Translation:
One buddy asks the other: "Was your trip to Amsterdam good?"
The other replies: "Which one?" 😉
✍️ Poem about the Trip
German:
Der Trip, mal kurz, mal lang,
Führt weg vom Alltagszwang.
Ans Meer, in Stadtgetümmel,
Ein kleiner Sprung zum Himmel.
Doch anders ist der Trip im Geist,
Wenn Wahrnehmung verreist.
Mal bunt, mal tief, mal schräg,
Ein ganz besond'rer Weg.
English Translation:
The trip, sometimes short, sometimes long,
Leads away from everyday throng.
To the sea, in city's fray,
A little leap to heaven's way.
But different is the trip in mind,
When perception leaves behind.
Sometimes colorful, deep, or bent,
A very special way is sent.
❓ Little Riddle
German:
Ich kann dich an ferne Orte bringen,
ohne dass die Vögel singen.
Ich kann kurz sein, wie ein Städtelauf,
oder öffnen Welten in deinem Kopf.
Was bin ich?
(Lösung: der Trip)
English Translation:
I can take you to distant places,
without birds singing their graces.
I can be short, like a city run,
or open worlds inside your head, for fun.
What am I?
(Answer: der Trip)
✨ Other Interesting Facts
Word Origin: The word "Trip" was adopted from English in the 20th century. In English, "trip" originally meant "short (foot) journey," then generally "journey," and in the drug scene since the 1960s, also "intoxicating experience."
Compounds (Zusammensetzungen):
- Kurztrip: A very short journey.
- Städtetrip: A city trip.
- Horrortrip: A very negative drug experience.
- Egotrip: Self-centered, egoistic behavior (figurative).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Trip?
The word "Trip" is masculine, so the correct article is der Trip. It means either a short journey/excursion or a drug-induced state of intoxication.