der  Weckruf

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈvɛkʁuːf/

⏰ What does "der Weckruf" mean?

The German word der Weckruf has two primary meanings:

1. Literal meaning: A phone call (often from a hotel) or a signal (e.g., from an alarm clock) intended to wake someone up at a specific time. Example: Ich habe an der Rezeption um einen Weckruf um 6 Uhr gebeten. (I asked reception for a wake-up call at 6 am.)
2. Figurative meaning: An event, message, or realization that serves as a jolt, prompts reflection, or calls for a change in behavior or thinking. It's a signal that something important has happened or needs to happen. It's often translated as 'wake-up call'. Example: Die schlechten Umfragewerte waren ein Weckruf für die Partei. (The poor poll results were a wake-up call for the party.)

Since the article is always "der", there's no confusion regarding gender with this noun.

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Der Weckruf

"Weckruf" is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:

Note: The genitive singular can be formed with or without an "-e-" (des Weckrufs / des Weckrufes), as can the dative singular (dem Weckruf / dem Weckrufe). The form without "-e-" is more common today.

Example Sentences

• Der morgendliche Weckruf des Hotels war sehr pünktlich. (The hotel's morning wake-up call was very punctual.)
• Die Bedeutung des Weckrufes wurde erst später klar. (The significance of the wake-up call only became clear later.)
• Nach dem Weckruf stand er sofort auf. (He got up immediately after the wake-up call.)
• Sie ignorierte den Weckruf ihres Gewissens. (She ignored the wake-up call of her conscience.)
• Die ständigen Warnungen waren deutliche Weckrufe. (The constant warnings were clear wake-up calls.)

🗣️ How to use "Weckruf"?

Usage depends heavily on the context:

• Literal: Used mainly in the context of waking up, whether by a phone call (in a hotel, from friends) or a device (alarm clock). "Kannst du mir morgen früh einen Weckruf geben?" (Can you give me a wake-up call tomorrow morning?)
• Figurative: Often used in more serious contexts to point out problems, dangers, or necessary changes. It's frequently found in news, political discussions, or personal reflections. "Der Bericht war ein wichtiger Weckruf für die Gesellschaft." (The report was an important wake-up call for society.) It often implies that there was a certain negligence or ignorance beforehand.

Comparison:

• Alarm: Similar, but often more urgent and related to immediate danger (Feueralarm - fire alarm). A Weckruf can also be an Alarm, but isn't always as acute.
• Warnung/Mahnung (Warning/Admonition): Both can act like a figurative Weckruf, but Weckruf emphasizes the 'waking up' from a state of inactivity or ignorance more strongly.

🧠 Mnemonics for "Weckruf"

For the article (der): Think of 'der' as 'the' strong call. The 'Ruf' (call) requires the masculine 'der'. Or: Der Wecker (the alarm clock, masculine) gives the Ruf.

For the meaning: Imagine someone literally 'calling' (Ruf) you to 'wake up' (wecken) – either from sleep or from complacency. A Weck-Ruf is a 'wake-call'.

↔️ Opposites and Similarities

⚠️ Caution: While "Alarm" can be a synonym, it often carries a stronger connotation of immediate danger than "Weckruf".

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Wecker den Job gekündigt?
Er fand die Arbeitszeiten zu alarmierend und brauchte dringend einen Weckruf für eine neue Karriere!

(Why did the alarm clock quit its job?
It found the working hours too alarming and urgently needed a wake-up call for a new career!)

📜 A Short Poem

Am Morgen früh, ein klarer Ton,
Der Weckruf naht, er duldet Hohn
Von Müdigkeit und schwerem Traum,
Er reißt dich aus dem stillen Raum.

Doch auch im Leben, laut und grell,
Ertönt er manchmal, blitzesschnell.
Ein Wink, ein Stoß, ein ernstes Wort,
Ein Weckruf treibt die Trägheit fort.

(In morning early, a clear tone,
The wake-up call nears, mocks no groan
From tiredness and heavy dream,
It tears you from the quiet scene.

But also in life, loud and bright,
It sometimes sounds, with sudden might.
A hint, a push, a word so stern,
A wake-up call makes lethargy turn.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich kann dich sanft aus Träumen holen,
Oder dich mahnen, nicht zu prolen.
Mal bin ich Anruf, mal Signal,
Mal rüttle ich auf die Moral.
Mal buchstäblich, mal übertragen,
Sag, wie wird mein Ruf getragen?

(I can gently fetch you from dreams,
Or warn you against boastful extremes.
Sometimes a call, sometimes a sign,
Sometimes I shake up the moral line.
Literal or figurative, I call,
Tell me, what am I known as to all?)

(Solution: der Weckruf)

🧩 Word Components and More

Word Composition:

"Der Weckruf" is a compound noun formed from:

• The verb stem weck- (from "wecken" - to wake someone from sleep)
• The noun der Ruf (the call, shout, signal)

Together, they create the meaning of a call or signal intended to wake someone up – either literally or figuratively.