der
Weißwein
🍷 What does 'der Weißwein' mean?
Der Weißwein is the German word for white wine. It's an alcoholic beverage produced by fermenting the juice of light-colored grapes (usually green or yellow). Unlike Rotwein (red wine), the grape skins are typically removed before or early during fermentation, resulting in the characteristic light color.
There is only one article for Weißwein: der. It is a masculine noun.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Alcohol → almost always masculine.
📜 Grammar of 'der Weißwein' in Detail
Weißwein is a masculine noun. Here are the declension tables:
Singular Declension
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | der Weißwein | ein Weißwein | Weißwein |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des Weißweins / Weißweines | eines Weißweins / Weißweines | Weißweins / Weißweines |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem Weißwein(e) | einem Weißwein(e) | Weißwein(e) |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | den Weißwein | einen Weißwein | Weißwein |
Plural Declension
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Weißweine | - Weißweine | Weißweine |
| Genitive | der Weißweine | - Weißweine | Weißweine |
| Dative | den Weißweinen | - Weißweinen | Weißweinen |
| Accusative | die Weißweine | - Weißweine | Weißweine |
💡 Example Sentences
- Der Weißwein zu diesem Fischgericht ist exzellent.
(The white wine with this fish dish is excellent.) - Der Geschmack des Weißweins war fruchtig und frisch.
(The taste of the white wine was fruity and fresh.) - Ich stoße mit einem guten Weißwein auf deinen Erfolg an!
(I'll toast to your success with a good white wine!) - Möchtest du lieber einen Weißwein oder einen Rotwein?
(Would you prefer a white wine or a red wine?) - Wir haben verschiedene Weißweine aus der Region probiert.
(We tried different white wines from the region.)
🥂 How to Use 'Weißwein'?
Der Weißwein is usually served chilled and pairs well with light dishes such as fish, poultry, salad, or light cheeses.
- Context: Often mentioned in restaurants, at celebrations, wine tastings, or simply for enjoyment in the evening.
- Typical Adjectives: trocken (dry), halbtrocken (off-dry), lieblich (medium-sweet), süß (sweet), fruchtig (fruity), spritzig (crisp/sparkling), gekühlt (chilled), deutsch (German), italienisch (Italian), französisch (French), etc.
- Distinction: Unlike Rotwein (red wine, fermented with dark grape skins) and Roséwein (rosé wine, made with brief skin contact from dark grapes).
- Colloquialism: Sometimes simply called "ein Weißer" (e.g., "Ich hätte gern einen Weißen." - I'd like a white one.).
🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Weißwein'
Remembering the Article: Many alcoholic beverages in German are masculine: der Wein (wine), der Sekt (sparkling wine), der Schnaps (schnapps), der Likör (liqueur), der Cocktail... so it follows that it's der Weißwein. (The main exception is das Bier!). Think of der Wein as a masculine companion to a meal.
Remembering the Meaning: Weißwein is easy: It's Wein (wine) that is weiß (white, or rather, light/yellowish). The word literally tells you what it is!
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Weißwein
Synonyms (Similar Words)
Antonyms (Opposite Words)
- Rotwein: Red wine.
- Roséwein: Rosé wine.
⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse Weißwein with Weißbier (wheat beer) or Apfelwein (cider/apple wine).
😄 A Little Joke
Kellner: "Möchten Sie den Weißwein probieren?"
Gast: "Nein danke, ich bin nicht neugierig, ich bin durstig!"
Waiter: "Would you like to try (probieren, also means 'to taste/sample') the white wine?"
Guest: "No thank you, I'm not curious (neugierig), I'm thirsty!"
✒️ Poem about White Wine
Der Weißwein, hell im Glase funkelt,
Ein Sommertraum, wenn's draußen dunkelt.
Fruchtig, frisch, oft leicht und klar,
Begleitet Fisch und Hühnchen wunderbar.
Ob Riesling trocken, lieblich süß,
Ein Schluck davon ist reinster Genieß'.
The white wine, sparkling bright in the glass,
A summer dream when darkness comes to pass.
Fruity, fresh, often light and clear,
Accompanies fish and chicken wonderfully, my dear.
Whether Riesling dry, or charmingly sweet,
A sip of it is the purest treat.
🤔 A Little Riddle
Ich bin aus Trauben, doch nicht rot,
man trinkt mich kühl, zum Abendbrot.
Mein Artikel ist 'der', ganz maskulin,
was bin ich wohl für ein Wein?
I'm made from grapes, but I'm not red,
You drink me chilled, with evening bread (idiom for supper).
My article is 'der', quite masculine,
What kind of wine could I have been?
Solution: der Weißwein
💡 Other Information
Word Composition: The word Weißwein is a compound noun, formed from:
Trivia:
- Germany is particularly famous for its white wines, especially Riesling.
- The ideal serving temperature for white wine is usually between 8°C and 12°C (46°F - 54°F).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Weißwein?
The word "Weißwein" is a masculine noun and therefore always takes the article der. There are no other articles or meanings associated with this word. Remember: der Weißwein.