der
Wasserwerfer
💦 What exactly is a Wasserwerfer?
The Wasserwerfer is a vehicle equipped with one or more powerful water cannons. It is primarily used by the police for crowd control during demonstrations or riots, to keep people at a distance or clear barricades. Less commonly, they are used by fire departments for firefighting or for irrigating large areas.
It is a masculine noun, so the article is der: der Wasserwerfer.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Devices → mostly masculine.
Caution: das Gerät
-er → mostly masculine.
1. Caution: many exceptions. 2. almost all -euer nouns are neutral. 3. There are many -er words, we don't list them all.
👨🔧 Grammar: Der Wasserwerfer in Detail
The noun "Wasserwerfer" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Wasserwerfer |
| Genitive | des | Wasserwerfers |
| Dative | dem | Wasserwerfer |
| Accusative | den | Wasserwerfer |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Wasserwerfer |
| Genitive | der | Wasserwerfer |
| Dative | den | Wasserwerfern |
| Accusative | die | Wasserwerfer |
Example Sentences
- Die Polizei setzte den Wasserwerfer gegen die Demonstranten ein.
(The police used the water cannon against the demonstrators.) - Die Reichweite des Wasserwerfers ist beeindruckend.
(The range of the water cannon is impressive.) - Mehrere Wasserwerfer fuhren in Stellung.
(Several water cannons moved into position.) - Dem Wasserwerfer fehlte plötzlich der Wasserdruck.
(The water cannon suddenly lacked water pressure.)
🚦 When and how is the Wasserwerfer used?
The term Wasserwerfer is almost exclusively used in the context of police or fire department operations.
- Police: Mainly for dispersing violent demonstrations, securing areas, or breaking up crowds. Its use is often controversial.
- Fire Department: Less frequently used for fighting large fires from a distance or cooling industrial facilities.
- Other Contexts: Occasionally used for irrigating large agricultural areas or in mining for dust suppression, but this is not the primary association.
🚨 The term is strongly associated with state use of force and is rarely used neutrally.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Remembering the Article: Think of der Werfer (the thrower, like Javelin thrower). Throwing can be seen as a typically "masculine" action in traditional terms, hence der Werfer. The Wasserwerfer is a "thrower" of water.
Remembering the Meaning: The word is composed of Wasser (water) + Werfer (thrower). It logically "throws" water with high pressure.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Wasserkanone (auf Fahrzeug montiert): Describes the weapon (water cannon), but often used synonymously for the vehicle.
- Polizeifahrzeug mit Wasserkanone: A descriptive phrase (police vehicle with water cannon).
- WaWe (Abbreviation): Common abbreviation used by police and media.
Antonyms (Opposing Concepts)
- Löschfahrzeug: (Fire engine) Primarily serves firefighting, not crowd control.
- Friedliche Demonstration: (Peaceful demonstration) Contrasts with the typical context for using a Wasserwerfer.
- Handschelle: (Handcuff) Another police tool for direct arrest, not distance control.
⚠️ Be careful: A Gartensprenger (garden sprinkler) or Rasensprenger (lawn sprinkler) is NOT a synonym, even though it "throws" water. The context and power are completely different.
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt ein Polizist den anderen: "Warum nehmen wir den neuen Wasserwerfer mit zur Kaffeepause?" Antwortet der andere: "Damit wir endlich mal starken Kaffee bekommen!"
Translation: One police officer asks another: "Why are we taking the new water cannon to the coffee break?" The other replies: "So we can finally get some strong coffee!" (Pun on 'strong' referring to pressure and coffee strength).
📜 A Poem about the Wasserwerfer
Groß und schwer, in ernstem Blau,
der Wasserwerfer, jeder schau!
Mit Druck und Strahl, so kraftvoll, nass,
Hält er die Menge auf der Straß'.
Ein Werkzeug stark, in mancher Hand,
Durchfährt er summend Stadt und Land.
Translation:
Big and heavy, in serious blue,
the water cannon, for all to view!
With pressure and jet, so powerful, wet,
It holds the crowd on the street, you bet.
A tool so strong, in many a hand,
It hums along through city and land.
❓ A Little Riddle
Ich bin ein Fahrzeug, groß und schwer,
mein Einsatz kommt nicht von ungefähr.
Mit Wasser kämpf' ich, kalt und klar,
gegen Feuer oder eine Menschenschar.
Mein Artikel ist männlich, das ist richtig.
Wer bin ich?
Translation:
I am a vehicle, large and heavy,
my deployment doesn't just happen any day.
With water I fight, cold and clear,
against fire or a crowd gathered near.
My article is masculine, that is right.
Who am I?
Solution: der Wasserwerfer
ℹ️ Additional Info
Word Composition:
The word "Wasserwerfer" is a compound noun, formed from:
- Wasser (das - neuter noun for water): The substance that is thrown.
- Werfer (der - masculine noun for thrower): The device or person/thing that throws something.
Trivia: Modern water cannons like the "WaWe 10" used by German police can hold up to 10,000 liters (approx. 2,640 gallons) of water and project it over 60 meters (approx. 200 feet). They are often armored and equipped with cameras.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Wasserwerfer?
The word "Wasserwerfer" is a masculine noun. The correct article is der: der Wasserwerfer.