die  Brücke

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈbʁʏkə/

🌉 What does "die Brücke" mean?

Die Brücke is a feminine noun and has several meanings:

• Structure: The most common meaning is a structure built to span a physical obstacle such as a river, valley, or road, allowing passage across. Example: Die Golden Gate Bridge ist eine berühmte Brücke (The Golden Gate Bridge is a famous bridge).
• Connection (figurative): It can also mean a connection or link in a figurative sense, e.g., between people, cultures, or ideas. Example: Musik kann eine Brücke zwischen Kulturen bauen (Music can build a bridge between cultures).
• Dentistry: Eine Zahnbrücke is a dental prosthesis that closes one or more tooth gaps.
• Gymnastics: A body posture in gymnastics or yoga where the body is bent backwards, supported by hands and feet.
• Nautical/Aviation: Die Kommandobrücke (the bridge) on a ship, or figuratively, the cockpit of an airplane.

⚠️ The article is always die for Brücke, regardless of its meaning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📜 Grammar in Detail: Die Brücke

The noun "Brücke" is feminine. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

• Nominative: Die Brücke über den Fluss ist sehr alt.
  (The bridge over the river is very old.)
• Genitive: Die Stabilität der Brücke wird regelmäßig geprüft.
  (The stability of the bridge is checked regularly.)
• Dative: Wir nähern uns der Brücke langsam.
  (We are approaching the bridge slowly.)
• Accusative: Der Ingenieur entwarf die Brücke.
  (The engineer designed the bridge.)
• Plural: In Venedig gibt es viele kleine Brücken.
  (In Venice, there are many small bridges.)

Application and Context 💡

"Die Brücke" is frequently used in everyday German, both literally and figuratively.

• Literal: Used when talking about traffic routes, structures, or specific bridges (e.g., Kölner Dombrücke, Tower Bridge). "Wir fahren jetzt über die Brücke." (We are driving over the bridge now.)
• Figurative: Often used to describe connections, compromises, or transitions. "Wir müssen eine Brücke zwischen den gegnerischen Parteien schlagen." (We need to build a bridge between the opposing parties.) Germans also use the term "Brückentag" (bridge day) for a working day taken off between a public holiday and the weekend.
• Other Contexts: Dentistry, gymnastics, navigation. The context clarifies the meaning.

Comparison: A Steg is often smaller and simpler than a Brücke, usually for pedestrians. A Viadukt is a type of bridge, often crossing land or a valley, typically consisting of multiple arches.

Memory Aids for "die Brücke" 🤔

Remembering the article "die":

Imagine a grand Architect (feminine ending in German: Architektin) designing *die Brücke*. Architecture is often associated with elegance, suggesting the feminine article *die*. Or remember that a bridge provides *die* Verbindung (*the* connection), and Verbindung is also feminine.

Remembering the meaning:

Think of the purpose: a bridge helps you get *over* something. It *bridges* a gap. Visualize the act of *crossing* whenever you think of the word Brücke.

Synonyms, Antonyms & Co. 🔄

Similar but different words:

• der Bruch: Nothing to do with Brücke. Means break, fracture, or quarrel.
• die Brühe: Broth or stock (soup).

A Little Joke 😄

DE: Fragt ein Tourist den Polizisten: "Wie komme ich am schnellsten über die Brücke?" Antwortet der Polizist: "Sie sind schon drauf!"

EN Translation: A tourist asks a policeman: "How can I get across the bridge the fastest?" The policeman replies: "You're already on it!"

A Little Poem about the Brücke ✒️

DE:
Von Ufer hier zu Ufer dort,
Ein fester, sich'rer Übergangsort.
Die Brücke steht, aus Stein und Stahl,
Verbindet Welten, Tal um Tal.

Mal schlicht, mal kühn, mal alt, mal neu,
Sie trägt uns drüber, bleibt uns treu.
Ein Symbol der Hoffnung, stark und weit,
Überbrückt die Zeit.

EN Translation:
From shore here to the shore right there,
A solid, safe place beyond compare.
The bridge it stands, of stone and steel,
Connecting worlds, valley and vale revealed.

Sometimes simple, sometimes bold, sometimes new, sometimes old,
It carries us over, its loyalty told.
A symbol of hope, strong and wide,
Bridging the time, side to side.

A Riddle For You ❓

DE:
Ich habe keinen Mund, doch führe dich von Ort zu Ort.
Ich habe keine Beine, doch stehe fest wie ein Hort.
Ich überspanne Wasser, Täler tief und breit.
Was bin ich, das verbindet, zu jeder Zeit?

Lösung: die Brücke

EN Translation:
I have no mouth, but lead you from place to place.
I have no legs, yet stand firm with grace.
I span water, valleys deep and wide.
What am I, that connects, whate'er betide?

Answer: die Brücke (the bridge)

More Interesting Facts 🤓

• Etymology: The word "Brücke" comes from Old High German "brucca" and is related to similar words in other Germanic languages (e.g., English "bridge"). It likely originally referred to a "log path" across marshy ground.
• Idioms (Redewendungen):
  • "Eine Brücke schlagen": *to build a bridge* (establish a connection).
  • "Alle Brücken hinter sich abbrechen": *to burn one's bridges* (make a decision that makes returning impossible).
  • "Jemandem eine Brücke bauen": *to build a bridge for someone* (help someone overcome a problem or find a compromise).
• Brückentag: (*Bridge day*) A single workday falling between a public holiday and a weekend, often taken as leave to create a longer break (bridging the gap).