der  Weiher

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈvaɪ̯ɐ/

💧 What exactly is a Weiher?

Der Weiher (noun, masculine) refers to a small, standing body of water. It's generally smaller than a See (lake) but larger than a Tümpel (pool, puddle). Often, Weiher are artificially created, for example for fish farming (Fischzucht), as a fire pond (Löschwasserteich), or as an ornamental feature in parks and gardens.

Unlike flowing bodies of water like a Bach (brook) or Fluss (river), a Weiher has little to no natural inflow and outflow.

There is only the masculine article der for Weiher. 🚨 Confusion with similar-sounding words like Weier (a surname) is possible, but usually clear from the context.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Weiher

The word "Weiher" is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:

📝 Example Sentences

• Im Sommer schwimmen die Kinder gern im Weiher.
  (In summer, the children like to swim in the pond.)
• Am Ufer des Weihers wachsen Schilf und hohe Gräser.
  (Reeds and tall grasses grow on the bank of the pond.)
• Die Enten gleiten friedlich über den Weiher.
  (The ducks glide peacefully over the pond.)
• In unserer Gegend gibt es viele kleine Weiher.
  (There are many small ponds in our area.)

💡 How to Use "Weiher"?

"Weiher" is used to describe a small, stagnant body of water. Here are typical contexts:

• Nature & Landscape: Describing natural or near-natural small lakes. Example: Ein idyllischer Weiher mitten im Wald. (An idyllic pond in the middle of the forest.)
• Parks & Gardens: Often as an ornamental pond or part of a park landscape. Example: Im Stadtpark wurde ein neuer Weiher angelegt. (A new pond was created in the city park.)
• Fish Farming (Fischzucht): Artificially created ponds for raising fish. Example: Der Fischer entnimmt dem Weiher Karpfen. (The fisherman takes carp from the pond.)
• Fire Water (Löschwasser): In some rural areas, a Weiher serves as a reservoir for fire fighting. Example: Der Löschweiher ist für den Notfall da. (The fire pond is there for emergencies.)

Distinction from similar words:

• Teich: Often used synonymously with Weiher, but tends to be even smaller and more frequently artificial (Gartenteich - garden pond, Fischteich - fish pond). The boundaries are blurred.
• Tümpel: Usually smaller, shallower, and sometimes only temporarily filled with water. Often of lower water quality.
• See: Significantly larger and deeper than a Weiher, mostly of natural origin.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Mnemonic for the article (der):

Imagine: DER FischER (the fisherman) sits by der Weiher. (Many masculine nouns/professions end in -er).

Mnemonic for the meaning (pond):

Fish and ducks weilen (linger/stay) in the Weiher – it's a calm place to linger ('verweilen'). (Based on sound similarity to 'weilen').

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but misleading words:

• Weier: A German surname.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Fische nie einen Kredit auf?
Weil sie Angst haben, im Weiher zu ertrinken – in Schulden! 😄

(Why do fish never take out a loan?
Because they're afraid of drowning in the pond – in debt!)

📜 A Poem about the Weiher

Am stillen Weiher, klar und rein,
spiegelt sich der Sonnenschein.
Ein Froschkonzert, leis und sacht,
erfüllt die laue Sommernacht.
Libellen tanzen, bunt und fein,
so friedlich kann ein Weiher sein.

(By the quiet pond, clear and pure,
the sunshine mirrors its allure.
A concert of frogs, soft and low,
fills the mild summer night's glow.
Dragonflies dance, colorful and fine,
a pond can be so peaceful and divine.)

🤔 Little Riddle

Ich bin kleiner als ein See,
doch größer als ein kleiner Klee.
Still lieg ich da, im Park, im Wald,
mein Wasser ist oft kühl und kalt.
Enten schwimmen auf mir gern,
mein Anblick liegt oft nicht sehr fern.

Was bin ich? ... Der Weiher

(I am smaller than a lake,
but bigger than a tiny clover make.
I lie still, in park or wood,
my water's often cool and good.
Ducks like to swim upon my face,
my sight is often commonplace.

What am I?
... The Pond (der Weiher))

🧐 More Interesting Facts

Word Origin (Etymology)

The word "Weiher" comes from the Old High German word wīwāri, which is composed of wīh (holy, consecrated) and wāri (standing water, pond; related to Latin vivarium - enclosure for animals, fish pond). Originally, it may have referred to a sacred pond or a pond near a place of worship.

Word Composition

"Weiher" is a simple noun. However, it can be part of compound words (Komposita), e.g.:

• Fischweiher: A pond for fish farming.
• Löschweiher: A pond used as a water reservoir for firefighting.
• Dorfweiher: A pond in the center of a village.
• Klosterweiher: A pond near a monastery, often used for fish farming.