der
Weitsprung
🏃♂️ What does 'der Weitsprung' mean?
Der Weitsprung is the German word for the long jump, an athletics (track and field) event. The goal is to jump as far as possible from a takeoff point into a sand pit after a run-up.
The process typically consists of four phases:
- Anlauf: The run-up, where the athlete accelerates on a runway.
- Absprung: The takeoff, initiated with one foot from a takeoff board. ⚠️ Stepping over the board results in a foul (ein ungültiger Versuch)!
- Flugphase: The flight phase, where the athlete uses body movements (e.g., hitch-kick, hang, or stride jump techniques) to maximize the distance.
- Landung: The landing, done with both feet in the sand pit. The distance measured is from the takeoff line to the nearest mark made in the sand.
It's a compound noun formed from weit (adjective: far) and der Sprung (noun: jump).
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Weitsprung
The word "Weitsprung" is a masculine noun. Its article is der.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun | (English equivalent) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Weitsprung | (the long jump) |
| Genitive | des | Weitsprungs | (of the long jump) |
| Dative | dem | Weitsprung | (to/for the long jump) |
| Akkusative | den | Weitsprung | (the long jump) |
Declension Plural
The plural "die Weitsprünge" is relatively rare and usually refers to multiple individual jumps or long jump competitions.
| Case | Article | Noun | (English equivalent) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Weitsprünge | (the long jumps) |
| Genitive | der | Weitsprünge | (of the long jumps) |
| Dative | den | Weitsprüngen | (to/for the long jumps) |
| Akkusative | die | Weitsprünge | (the long jumps) |
📜 Example Sentences
- Der Athlet bereitete sich auf den Weitsprung vor.
(The athlete prepared for the long jump.) - Die Technik des Weitsprungs ist komplex.
(The technique of the long jump is complex.) - Beim Weitsprung kommt es auf Geschwindigkeit und Absprungkraft an.
(In the long jump, speed and jumping power are crucial.) - Sie gewann die Goldmedaille im Weitsprung.
(She won the gold medal in the long jump.) - Alle seine Weitsprünge im Finale waren über acht Meter weit.
(All his long jumps in the final were over eight meters.)
💡 How is 'der Weitsprung' used?
Der Weitsprung is primarily used in the context of sports, specifically athletics (Leichtathletik).
- Competitions: Talking about the long jump at the Olympics, World Championships, or local sports festivals. (Example: "Der Weitsprung der Männer beginnt um 15 Uhr." - "The men's long jump starts at 3 PM.")
- Training: Describing training methods or phases. (Example: "Heute steht Weitsprung-Techniktraining auf dem Plan." - "Long jump technique training is scheduled for today.")
- Records: In connection with best performances. (Example: "Der Weltrekord im Weitsprung ist beeindruckend." - "The world record in the long jump is impressive.")
Metaphorical Use: Less commonly, "einen Weitsprung machen" can mean making significant progress or a major development, similar to "making a great leap forward." (Example: "Mit dieser Erfindung hat das Unternehmen einen technologischen Weitsprung gemacht." - "With this invention, the company has made a technological leap forward.")
Distinction: Don't confuse it with Hochsprung (high jump) or Dreisprung (triple jump).
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic (der): Remember der Sprung (the jump). Since 'Weitsprung' is a compound word where 'Sprung' is the base word, it takes its masculine article 'der'. Imagine a strong male athlete - der Athlet - doing the long jump.
Meaning Mnemonic: Very simple! weit (far) + Sprung (jump) = A jump that goes far.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Horizontalsprung: (Horizontal jump) - A technical umbrella term that also includes the triple jump, but sometimes used synonymously for long jump.
Antonyms (Opposites)
- Hochsprung: (High jump) - The discipline focused on height, not distance.
⚠️ Similar but Different Terms
😂 A Little Joke
Warum nehmen Skelette nie am Weitsprung teil?
Weil sie nicht den nötigen Schwung haben und ihnen der Absprung fehlt! 😉🦴
(Why do skeletons never participate in the long jump?)
(Because they don't have the guts (lit: necessary momentum) and lack the takeoff!)
📜 Poem about the Long Jump
Anlauf schnell, der Blick nach vorn,
(Run-up fast, the gaze ahead,)
Kraft im Bein, neu geboren.
(Power in leg, newly born.)
Der Balken naht, ein letzter Schritt,
(The board nears, a final stride,)
Der Weitsprung – ein gewagter Ritt.
(The long jump – a daring ride.)
Durch Luft und Zeit, ein kurzer Flug,
(Through air and time, a short flight,)
Im Sand die Weite – mehr als genug?
(In sand the distance – more than enough light?)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich brauche Anlauf, Sand und Kraft,
und messe Weite, mit Leidenschaft.
Der Balken ist mein Startsignal,
Fliegen ist mein Ideal.
Was bin ich für ein Sport?
(I need a run-up, sand, and power,
and measure distance, with passion's flower.
The board is my starting sign,
Flying is my ideal design.
What sport am I?)
Solution: Der Weitsprung (The Long Jump)
✨ Other Interesting Facts
Word Composition:
The word "Weitsprung" is a compound noun:
- weit: Adjective, meaning 'far' or 'wide'.
- der Sprung: Noun, masculine, meaning 'the jump'.
The gender of the compound noun is determined by the last part (the base word), which is "der Sprung", hence "der Weitsprung".
Famous German long jumpers: Heike Drechsler, Malaika Mihambo.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Weitsprung?
The German word 'Weitsprung' (long jump) is masculine: der Weitsprung, genitive: des Weitsprungs.