der
Wasserstand
💧 What does 'der Wasserstand' mean?
Der Wasserstand means the water level or water gauge height. It refers to the height of the surface of a body of water (like a river, lake, or sea) or a container at a specific point and time. It's often measured using a Pegel (water gauge).
There is only this one article (der) and this one main meaning for the word.
📚 Grammar of Wasserstand in Detail
The noun 'Wasserstand' is masculine.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Wasserstand |
| Genitive | des | Wasserstandes / Wasserstands |
| Dative | dem | Wasserstand / Wasserstande |
| Accusative | den | Wasserstand |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Wasserstände |
| Genitive | der | Wasserstände |
| Dative | den | Wasserständen |
| Accusative | die | Wasserstände |
Example Sentences
- Der Wasserstand des Rheins ist nach dem Regen stark angestiegen.
(The water level of the Rhine has risen sharply after the rain.) - Wir müssen den Wasserstand im Tank regelmäßig kontrollieren.
(We have to check the water level in the tank regularly.) - Die Behörden warnen vor einem kritischen Wasserstand.
(The authorities are warning of a critical water level.) - Bei niedrigem Wasserstand kommen alte Schiffswracks zum Vorschein.
(At low water levels, old shipwrecks emerge.)
🗣️ Everyday Usage
'Der Wasserstand' is primarily used in contexts related to bodies of water, weather, and technology:
- Hydrology/Meteorology: Describing river, lake, or sea levels, often in connection with Hochwasser (floods) or Niedrigwasser (low water).
- Technology: Indicating the level of liquids in containers, tanks, or technical systems (e.g., heating boilers).
- News Reporting: Reporting on gauge levels during extreme weather events.
One might speak of a steigender (rising), fallender (falling), hoher (high), or niedriger (low) Wasserstand. A related term is Pegelstand, often used synonymously, but specifically referring to the measurement at a gauge (Pegel).
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
- Article 'der': Think of 'der Man' who 'stands' by the water measuring the level. The word ends in '-stand', and many German nouns ending in '-stand' are masculine (der Zustand - state, der Umstand - circumstance).
- Meaning: Imagine how water 'stands' (stehen) in a glass. The level at which it 'stands' is the Wasserstand (Water-stand).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
Antonyms (opposites; more conceptual):
- Trockenheit / Dürre: Drought / dryness - describes the absence of water, not its level.
- Land: The area above the water level.
- Luftraum: Airspace - the space above the water surface.
⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse der Wasserstand with Wasserqualität (water quality) or Wassermenge (water quantity/volume).
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Tourist den Fischer: "Sagen Sie mal, ist der Wasserstand hier immer so niedrig?"
Antwortet der Fischer: "Nein, nein, nur wenn keine Flut ist!"
--- Translation ---
The tourist asks the fisherman: "Tell me, is the water level always this low here?"
The fisherman replies: "No, no, only when it's not high tide!"
📜 Poem about the Wasserstand
Der Fluss fließt ruhig, breit und lang,
sein Wasserstand, mal hoch, mal bang.
Der Pegel misst, was kommen mag,
ob Flut bringt Not, ob Sonnentag.
Ein steter Wandel, auf und nieder,
so zeigt der Wasserstand es wieder.
--- Translation ---
The river flows calmly, wide and long,
its water level, sometimes high, sometimes with dread.
The gauge measures what may come,
whether flood brings hardship, or a sunny day.
A constant change, up and down,
so the water level shows it again.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich habe kein Gewicht, doch messe ich die Höh'.
Ich steige und ich falle, ob's regnet oder schneit.
An Flüssen und an Seen bin ich stets zur Stell'.
Was bin ich?
... Der Wasserstand
--- Translation ---
I have no weight, yet I measure height.
I rise and I fall, whether it rains or snows.
By rivers and lakes, I am always present.
What am I?
... The water level (Der Wasserstand)
🧩 Composition & Trivia
The word 'Wasserstand' is a compound noun, composed of:
Trivia: The lowest ever recorded Wasserstand of the River Rhine at Emmerich (Germany) was in October 2018, measuring -7 cm (below the gauge zero point).
Related terms: Hochwasserstand (high water level), Niedrigwasserstand (low water level), Mittelwasserstand (mean water level), Pegelnullpunkt (gauge zero point).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Wasserstand?
The noun 'Wasserstand' is masculine, so the correct article is der. It refers to the water level in bodies of water or containers (e.g., der hohe Wasserstand des Flusses - the high water level of the river).