der  Wein

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/vaɪ̯n/

🍷 What does "der Wein" mean?

Der Wein is the German word for wine, an alcoholic beverage made from the fermented juice of grapes. It's one of humanity's oldest cultural drinks and plays a significant role in many cultures, whether during meals, celebrations, or religious ceremonies.

There are various types of wine, primarily *Rotwein* (red wine), *Weißwein* (white wine), and *Roséwein* (rosé wine), which differ in production, color, taste, and grape variety (*Rebsorte*).

The word is always masculine in German: der Wein.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "der Wein" in Detail

"Wein" is a masculine noun. Here are the declension tables:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Ich trinke gerne einen guten Rotwein zum Abendessen.
   I like to drink a good red wine with dinner.
2. Die Qualität dieses Weines ist hervorragend.
   The quality of this wine is excellent.
3. Wir haben dem Gastgeber einen besonderen Wein mitgebracht.
   We brought a special wine for the host.
4. Auf der Party gab es viele verschiedene Weine zur Auswahl.
   There were many different wines to choose from at the party.

💡 How to use "Wein"?

"Wein" is used in many contexts:

• Ordering: "Ich hätte gern ein Glas Weißwein." (I'd like a glass of white wine.)
• Description: "Dieser Wein hat ein fruchtiges Aroma." (This wine has a fruity aroma.)
• Origin: "Das ist ein Wein aus der Moselregion." (This is a wine from the Mosel region.)
• General: "Deutschland ist auch ein Weinland." (Germany is also a wine country.)

It's important to distinguish between Wein (alcoholic) and Traubensaft (grape juice, non-alcoholic). Although both come from grapes, only the fermented juice is called "Wein".

The plural *die Weine* is often used to refer to different types or bottles of wine.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Wein"

Remembering the Article: Think of wine as a strong, perhaps 'masculine' drink compared to water or juice. Many alcoholic drinks in German are masculine (*der Schnaps*, *der Sekt* - but ⚠️ *das Bier*!). So, associate the strength with der Wein.

Remembering the Meaning: The German word "Wein" sounds very similar to the English word "vine". Picture grapes growing on a vine, ready to be made into Wein.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but Different Terms:

• Sekt / Champagner: Sparkling wines, different from still wine (the typical "Wein").
• Most: Grape juice during fermentation, not yet finished wine.
• Glühwein: Mulled wine (spiced and heated), typically drunk in winter.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Ober den Gast: "Möchten Sie den Wein vor dem Essen probieren?"
Gast: "Nein danke, wozu denn? Nach fünf Gläsern schmeckt mir doch eh alles!"

Translation: The waiter asks the guest: "Would you like to taste the wine before the meal?"
Guest: "No thanks, what for? After five glasses, everything tastes good to me anyway!"

📜 A Poem about Wine

Im Glase schimmert rot und klar,
der Wein, so edel, wunderbar.
Von Sonne, Rebe, alter Zeit,
erzählt er uns von Freud und Leid.
Ein Schluck, der Geist und Zunge löst,
und uns mit Wärme sanft umtost.

Translation:
In the glass, it shimmers red and clear,
the wine, so noble, wonderful, dear.
Of sun, of vine, of ancient time,
it tells us tales of joy and crime (lit: sorrow).
A sip that frees the spirit and tongue,
and gently surrounds us with warmth, freshly sprung.

❓ Riddle

Ich werde aus Trauben gemacht,
habe in Flaschen die Nacht verbracht.
Mal rot, mal weiß, mal rosé fein,
was kann ich wohl sein?

Translation:
I am made from grapes,
I've spent the night in bottle shapes.
Sometimes red, sometimes white, sometimes rosé fine,
what could I possibly be?

Solution: der Wein (wine)

✨ Other Interesting Facts

• Word Composition: "Wein" is a base word but forms many compound nouns: *Weinberg* (vineyard), *Weinflasche* (wine bottle), *Weinkeller* (wine cellar), *Weinglas* (wine glass), *Weinlese* (grape harvest), *Weinfest* (wine festival), *Rotwein* (red wine), *Weißwein* (white wine).
• Culture: Germany has 13 official wine-growing regions (*Weinanbaugebiete*), including famous areas like Mosel, Rheingau, and Pfalz. The "Deutsche Weinstraße" (German Wine Route) is a famous tourist route.
• Idiom: "Reinen Wein einschenken" (to pour pure wine) means to tell the truth or admit something openly.