der  Versuch

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɛɐ̯ˈzuːx/

🔬 What exactly is a 'Versuch'?

The noun der Versuch (masculine) generally describes an action where you try something out to achieve a certain result, often without a guarantee of success. It has several related meanings:

• Attempt/Effort: An action taken to try to achieve something. Example: Sein erster Versuch zu kochen war nicht sehr erfolgreich. (His first attempt at cooking wasn't very successful.)
• Experiment/Trial: A systematic investigation or test to verify a hypothesis or gain knowledge (often in a scientific context). Example: Im Labor führten sie einen Versuch zur Wasserreinigung durch. (In the lab, they conducted an experiment on water purification.)
• Temptation (rare, dated): A temptation or enticement (today usually 'die Versuchung'). Example: Dem süßen Versuch widerstehen. (Resist the sweet temptation.) ⚠️ This meaning is uncommon today.

Generally, it's about testing or trying something out.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar Deep Dive: der Versuch

Der Versuch is a masculine noun. Here are the declension tables:

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der erste Versuch, den Berg zu besteigen, scheiterte am Wetter.
   (The first attempt to climb the mountain failed due to the weather.)
2. Die Wissenschaftler dokumentierten jeden Schritt des Versuchs genau.
   (The scientists documented every step of the experiment precisely.)
3. Es war ein mutiger Versuch, aber er zahlte sich nicht aus.
   (It was a bold attempt, but it didn't pay off.)
4. Nach mehreren fehlgeschlagenen Versuchen gab er nicht auf.
   (After several failed attempts, he didn't give up.)
5. Der Versuch macht klug. (Proverb: Trying makes you wise / Practice makes perfect.)

💡 How is 'der Versuch' used?

Der Versuch is a frequently used word in German.

• Everyday language: Here, it mostly describes an effort or an attempt to do something. "Mach doch einfach mal einen Versuch!" (Just give it a try!)
• Science & Technology: In this context, 'der Versuch' refers to a controlled experiment or test. "Der chemische Versuch erforderte spezielle Sicherheitsmaßnahmen." (The chemical experiment required special safety measures.)
• Idioms: There are several fixed expressions with 'Versuch':
  • "einen Versuch wagen" = to give something a try, to venture an attempt
  • "Es kommt auf einen Versuch an." = It's worth a try.
  • "Versuch macht klug." = Proverb meaning 'You learn by trying' or 'Practice makes perfect'.

Distinction: While die Probe often means a smaller, more informal test (e.g., eine Kostprobe - a sample taste), der Versuch is often more comprehensive or systematic (especially as an experiment). Das Experiment has a stronger scientific connotation than der Versuch.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Versuch'

For the article 'der': Think of common masculine roles that might involve 'attempts' or 'experiments', like DER explorER or DER researchER. Or: An Experiment often ends in '-ent', which sounds a bit like 'der'. (Caution: Stereotypes used purely for memorization!)

For the meaning: Imagine you almost very much give up, but then you suchen (search) for one last solution – you make a Versuch (an attempt)!

↔️ Opposites and Synonyms of Versuch

⚠️ Caution: Die Versuchung means 'temptation' and is different from der Versuch ('attempt'/'experiment'). Although the words are related, their meanings differ significantly.

😄 A Little Attempt at Humor

German: Fragt der Chemielehrer: "Was ist die chemische Formel für Wasser?"
Schüler: "HIJKLMNO"
Lehrer: "Was soll das denn sein?"
Schüler: "Na, gestern haben Sie doch gesagt: H₂O!"

English Translation: The chemistry teacher asks: "What's the chemical formula for water?"
Student: "HIJKLMNO"
Teacher: "What's that supposed to be?"
Student: "Well, yesterday you said: H to O!" (H₂O)

(Okay, it's a bit corny - but it was worth an attempt!)

📜 A Poem About 'der Versuch'

German:
Ein kleiner Schritt, ein leiser Hauch,
Beginnt der Versuch, so ist der Brauch.
Mal klappt es gut, mal geht es schief,
Doch ohne ihn wär's Wissen tief
Verborgen nur, ein stummer Schrei.
Drum wage ihn, sei mutig, frei!
Ein Test, ein Anlauf, klar und schlicht,
Der Versuch bringt Wahrheit ans Licht.

English Translation:
A small step forward, a soft breath's sound,
Begins the attempt, as custom's found.
Sometimes it works, sometimes goes wrong,
But without it, knowledge deep and strong
Would stay concealed, a silent cry.
So dare to do it, brave and high!
A test, a trial, plain and bright,
The attempt brings truth into the light.

❓ Riddle Time

German:
Ich bin ein Test, mal groß, mal klein,
im Labor oder auch daheim.
Ich kann gelingen, kann auch scheitern,
und helfe oft, das Wissen zu erweitern.
Man wagt mich gern, wenn man was will,
steh' niemals wirklich völlig still.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I am a test, sometimes big, sometimes small,
in the lab or maybe at home for all.
I can succeed, or I can fail,
and often help knowledge to unveil.
People dare me when they have a goal,
I never really stand still on the whole.

What am I? (Answer: der Versuch / the attempt, experiment, trial)

ℹ️ More about 'der Versuch'

Word Formation (Wortbildung)

Der Versuch is the nominalization (substantivized form) of the verb versuchen (to try, to attempt). The verb itself consists of the prefix ver- (often indicating intensification or a change of direction) and the verb suchen (to search, to seek). So, a Versuch is essentially an intensive search for a result or solution.

Trivia

In a legal context (im juristischen Kontext), there's the concept of 'strafbarer Versuch' (criminal attempt), which refers to an action that already constitutes the beginning of a crime, even if the crime itself was not completed.