die
Lautstärke
🔊 What does "die Lautstärke" mean?
Die Lautstärke (noun, feminine) refers to the intensity or level of sound, meaning how loud or quiet something is perceived. It's a measure of sound pressure level.
- Main meaning: The perceived intensity of noise or tones, essentially volume or loudness.
The word is always feminine, so it's always die Lautstärke. ⚠️ There are no other articles for this word.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
📊 Grammar in Detail: Die Lautstärke
The noun "Lautstärke" is feminine. Here are the declension tables:
Declension Singular
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Nom) | die Lautstärke | eine Lautstärke | Lautstärke |
| Genitive (Gen) | der Lautstärke | einer Lautstärke | Lautstärke |
| Dative (Dat) | der Lautstärke | einer Lautstärke | Lautstärke |
| Accusative (Acc) | die Lautstärke | eine Lautstärke | Lautstärke |
Declension Plural
The plural of "Lautstärke" is "Lautstärken". The plural form is rarely used; usually, one refers to 'Lautstärke' in the singular as a general concept.
| Case | Definite Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Nom) | die Lautstärken | Lautstärken |
| Genitive (Gen) | der Lautstärken | Lautstärken |
| Dative (Dat) | den Lautstärken | Lautstärken |
| Accusative (Acc) | die Lautstärken | Lautstärken |
Example Sentences
- Kannst du bitte die Lautstärke vom Radio leiser stellen?
(Can you please turn down the volume of the radio? - Accusative Singular) - Die Lautstärke des Konzerts war ohrenbetäubend.
(The volume/loudness of the concert was deafening. - Nominative Singular) - Wegen der hohen Lautstärke musste er Gehörschutz tragen.
(Because of the high volume, he had to wear ear protection. - Genitive Singular, often replaced by Dative 'Wegen der hohen Lautstärke') - Er experimentierte mit verschiedenen Lautstärken.
(He experimented with different volume levels. - Dative Plural)
💡 How to use "die Lautstärke"?
"Die Lautstärke" is used in many contexts whenever the intensity of sound is discussed:
- Music & Audio: "Dreh die Lautstärke auf!" (Turn up the volume!) or "Die Lautstärke ist zu niedrig." (The volume is too low.) - Often used interchangeably with "Volumen" here.
- Devices: Adjusting the Lautstärke on TVs, radios, computers, or smartphones.
- Noise: Complaining about the Lautstärke of neighbors, construction sites, or traffic. ("Die nächtliche Lautstärke war unerträglich." - The nighttime noise level was unbearable.)
- Physics & Acoustics: As a measurable quantity (Schallpegel - sound level).
Comparison:
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic (die): Think of "die Stärke" (the strength). Many German nouns ending in "-stärke" are feminine (e.g., die Windstärke - wind strength, die Sehstärke - eyesight strength). Since "Lautstärke" describes the strength of the loudness (from 'laut' = loud), die Stärke helps remember die Lautstärke.
Meaning Mnemonic: The word is composed of "laut" (loud) and "Stärke" (strength). It literally describes how strong something is loud.
↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Volumen: (Volume, especially for devices)
- Schallpegel: (Sound level, technical term)
- Intensität: (Intensity, more general)
- Geräuschpegel: (Noise level)
- Tonstärke: (Tone intensity/strength)
⚠️ Similar Words (Potential Confusion):
- Lautheit: A psychoacoustic term describing subjectively perceived loudness (sounds similar, but more specific).
😄 A Little Joke
DE: Warum hat der Tontechniker immer einen Stift dabei?
Um die Lautstärke zu regeln – auf dem Papier! 😉
EN: Why does the sound engineer always carry a pen?
To control ('regeln' can mean control/adjust or rule) the volume – on paper! 😉
📜 Poem about Lautstärke
DE:
Die Lautstärke, mal sanft, mal grell,
mal flüstert sie, mal schreit sie schnell.
Am Regler dreht die Hand geschwind,
mal laut wie Sturm, mal leis wie Wind.
Sie füllt den Raum, Musik erklingt,
die Stärke, die der Ton uns bringt.
EN:
The volume, now gentle, now bright,
Sometimes it whispers, sometimes shouts with might.
On the dial, the hand turns fast,
Now loud as storm, now soft as wind's cast.
It fills the room, music takes wing,
The strength that the sound to us does bring.
❓ Riddle
DE:
Ich habe keine Stimme, doch kann laut sein oder still.
An Radio und Fernseher dreht man an mir, wie man will.
Ich messe, wie stark der Klang,
ob kurz nur oder lang.
Was bin ich?
Lösung: die Lautstärke
EN:
I have no voice, yet can be loud or still.
On radio and TV, you adjust me at your will.
I measure how strong the sound does seem,
Whether short-lived or a long sonic stream.
What am I?
Solution: die Lautstärke (volume/loudness)
🧐 Additional Information
Word Composition:
The word "Lautstärke" is a compound noun, formed from:
- laut (adjective): meaning loud
- die Stärke (noun): meaning strength or intensity
Together, it signifies the "strength of the loudness".
Measurement: Physically, Lautstärke is measured as sound (pressure) level, typically in decibels (dB).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Lautstärke?
The German word for volume or loudness is die Lautstärke. It is a feminine noun and always takes the article "die". The plural form is "die Lautstärken", but it is rarely used.