die
Ostseeküste
🌊 What exactly is 'die Ostseeküste'?
Die Ostseeküste refers to the coastal strip along the Ostsee (Baltic Sea). It's a geographical term describing the land areas directly bordering the Baltic Sea.
The word is a compound noun, composed of:
- die Ostsee: The inland sea in Northern Europe.
- die Küste: The strip of land at the edge of a sea or large lake.
Since the base word 'Küste' is feminine (die Küste), 'Ostseeküste' is also feminine.
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 spotlight: die Ostseeküste
The noun 'Ostseeküste' is feminine. Therefore, the correct article is die.
Declension (Singular):
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die Ostseeküste | eine Ostseeküste |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der Ostseeküste | einer Ostseeküste |
| Dative (To/For whom?) | der Ostseeküste | einer Ostseeküste |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die Ostseeküste | eine Ostseeküste |
Plural: The plural 'die Ostseeküsten' is rarely used because geographically there is usually only one German Baltic Sea coast. However, it could be used, for example, when referring to the coastal sections of different countries bordering the Baltic Sea.
Example Sentences:
- Wir verbringen unseren Urlaub an der Ostseeküste. (We are spending our vacation on the Baltic Sea coast.)
- Die Ostseeküste Mecklenburg-Vorpommerns ist bekannt für ihre Seebäder. (The Baltic Sea coast of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is known for its seaside resorts.)
- Viele Zugvögel rasten an der Ostseeküste. (Many migratory birds rest on the Baltic Sea coast.)
🧭 When to use 'Ostseeküste'?
'Die Ostseeküste' is primarily used in the following contexts:
- Geography & Cartography: To describe the geographical region along the Baltic Sea.
- Travel & Tourism: When talking about holiday destinations, seaside resorts, beaches, or activities on the Baltic Sea (e.g., Urlaub an der Ostseeküste - vacation on the Baltic Sea coast).
- Weather Reports: To provide weather forecasts for this region.
- Nature & Environment: In connection with the flora, fauna, and ecosystem of the coastal region.
Compared to the Nordseeküste (North Sea coast), it describes the coastal section of a different sea. Both terms are often used in the context of holidays or geographical descriptions of Germany.
💡 Mnemonics for Ostseeküste
Here are some memory aids for the article and meaning:
Article Mnemonic: The base word is die Küste (the coast). Imagine an elegant lady (die Dame) strolling along the coast. The OstseeKÜSTE is feminine, just like die Küste itself.
Meaning Mnemonic: Think of the East (Osten) of Germany, where the sun rises, and the coast (Küste), where water meets land. The 'Ostseeküste' is the coast in the east (relative to the North Sea from a German perspective).
🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms
Synonyms:
Antonyms (in a geographical sense):
- Nordseeküste: The coast on the North Sea.
- Binnenland: The inland area, far from any coast.
- Alpenrand: The area near the Alps, geographically the opposite of a coast.
⚠️ Be careful not to confuse Ostsee (the sea itself) with Ostseeküste (the strip of land by the sea).
😄 A Little Coastal Joke
Warum nehmen Möwen keine Seife mit an die Ostseeküste?
Weil sie sich sowieso mit Meer-Schaum waschen!
--- Translation ---
Why don't seagulls take soap to the Baltic Sea coast?
Because they wash themselves with sea foam anyway! ('Meer-Schaum' sounds like 'mehr Schaum' - more foam) 😂
📜 Poem about the Coast
Die Ostseeküste, weit und klar,
Wo Wellen sanft ans Ufer schlagen,
Wo Möwenschreie wunderbar
Vom Wind und Wasser Kunde tragen.
Der Sand so fein, die Luft so frisch,
Bernstein funkelt hier und da,
Ein Urlaubstraum auf jedem Tisch,
Die schöne Küste, sie ist nah.
--- Translation ---
The Baltic coast, wide and clear,
Where waves gently lap the shore,
Where seagulls' cries, wonderful to hear,
Of wind and water tell their lore.
The sand so fine, the air so fresh,
Amber sparkles here and there,
A holiday dream, a lovely mesh,
The beautiful coast, it is near.
❓ Coastal Riddle
Ich liege im Norden, doch mehr im Osten,
Wo Urlauber gern im Strande posten.
Mein Meer ist fast ein Binnensee,
Bernstein findest du hier, oh weh!
Mein Artikel ist feminin, das ist bekannt,
Ich bin ein schönes Stück vom deutschen Land.
Wer oder was bin ich?
Lösung: die Ostseeküste
--- Translation ---
I lie in the north, but more to the east,
Where holidaymakers love to post from the beach, at least.
My sea is almost an inland lake,
You'll find amber here, for goodness sake!
My article is feminine, that is known,
I am a beautiful piece of German land shown.
Who or what am I?
Answer: die Ostseeküste (the Baltic Sea coast)
🧩 Other Interesting Facts
Word Composition: As mentioned, 'Ostseeküste' is composed of 'Ostsee' (Baltic Sea) and 'Küste' (coast). Such compound nouns (Komposita) are very common in German.
Famous Locations: The German 'Ostseeküste' includes well-known islands like Rügen and Usedom, as well as cities such as Rostock, Kiel, Lübeck, and Stralsund.
Tourism: The 'Ostseeküste' is one of Germany's most popular holiday destinations, both for beach holidays in summer and for relaxation during other seasons.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Ostseeküste?
The word "Ostseeküste" is a feminine noun. Therefore, the correct article is always die Ostseeküste (e.g., die schöne Ostseeküste - the beautiful Baltic Sea coast).