der  Zaun

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/tsaʊn/

🚧 What exactly is a Zaun?

Der Zaun (noun, masculine) refers to a fence or enclosure, usually intended to surround, protect, or mark a property, garden, or other area. Zäune (plural) can be made of various materials like wood (Holz), metal (Metall), wire (Draht), or plastic (Kunststoff).

There's only one article, 'der', for Zaun, which makes things simpler! 🥳

🧐 Grammar: Declining der Zaun correctly

The noun "Zaun" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

1. Der Zaun um den Garten ist neu gestrichen. (The fence around the garden is newly painted.)
2. Die Höhe des Zaunes ist gesetzlich vorgeschrieben. (The height of the fence is legally prescribed.)
3. Der Ball flog über den Zaun. (The ball flew over the fence.)
4. Hinter den Zäunen spielen Kinder. (Children are playing behind the fences.)

💡 How to Use "der Zaun"

"Der Zaun" is used very frequently in everyday language when talking about boundaries:

• Gartenzaun: The classic fence around a private property. "Wir müssen den Gartenzaun reparieren." (We need to repair the garden fence.)
• Bauzaun: A temporary fence around a construction site. "Der Bauzaun sichert das Gelände." (The construction fence secures the site.)
• Maschendrahtzaun: A chain-link fence. "Ein einfacher Maschendrahtzaun genügt oft." (A simple chain-link fence is often sufficient.)
• Lattenzaun: A picket fence (made of wooden slats). "Der weiße Lattenzaun ist typisch für Vorstadthäuser." (The white picket fence is typical for suburban houses.)
• Figurative Meaning: Sometimes used figuratively for a boundary or barrier. "Zwischen den Nachbarn herrscht dicke Luft, da ist ein hoher Zaun zwischen ihnen gewachsen." (There's bad blood between the neighbors; a high fence has grown between them.) (less common)

The word 'Einfriedung' is a more formal synonym, while 'Gatter' often refers to a smaller gate or a simple fence section.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Zaun"

For the article 'der': Think of a strong guard dog (der Hund), who is masculine ('der'). He runs along der Zaun.

For the meaning 'fence': Imagine you are in your garden 'zone', which is protected by a Zaun (fence). 'Zaun' sounds a bit like 'zone'.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Words

⚠️ Be careful: A Mauer is a solid, brick or stone structure (wall), not a fence (Zaun).

😄 A Little Fence Joke

Was sagt ein Zaun zum anderen Zaun?
"Triff mich an der Ecke!"

(What does one fence say to the other fence?
"Meet me at the corner!")

✒️ Poem about the Fence

Der Zaun steht fest, bei Wind und Wetter, (The fence stands firm, in wind and weather,)
Mal Holz, mal Draht, mal grüne Blätter. (Sometimes wood, sometimes wire, sometimes green leaves.)
Er grenzt das Mein vom Deinen ab, (It separates mine from yours,)
Hält Hund und Katz' und Dieb auf Trab. (Keeps dog and cat and thief on their toes.)
Ein stummer Wächter, Tag und Nacht, (A silent guard, day and night,)
Hat Haus und Hof gut bewacht. (Has watched over house and yard well.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich habe Pfosten, aber keine Post.
(I have posts, but no mail.)
Ich grenze ein, doch reise nie fort.
(I enclose, but never travel away.)
Mal bin ich aus Holz, mal aus Metall,
(Sometimes I'm made of wood, sometimes metal,)
Steh' um den Garten auf jeden Fall.(I stand around the garden in any case.)

What am I? ... Der Zaun (The fence)

✨ Trivia about the Zaun

• Etymology: The word "Zaun" comes from Middle High German "zūn" and Old High German "zūn", which originally meant "wickerwork" or "enclosure". It's related to the English word "town", which originally denoted a fortified or enclosed settlement.
• Idiom: "Ein Wink mit dem Zaunpfahl" (a hint with the fence post) means giving someone a very obvious hint.
• Legal stuff: In Germany, there are often regulations (Nachbarschaftsrecht - neighbor law) about how high and exactly where a Zaun can be built.