die
Reeperbahn
🌆 What exactly is 'die Reeperbahn'?
Die Reeperbahn is primarily the name of a central street in the St. Pauli district of Hamburg, Germany. It's the heart of the local entertainment and red-light district and is famous far beyond Germany's borders.
Historically, the name derives from the Reepschläger (rope makers) who once needed long, straight paths (Bahnen) here to produce ship's ropes (Reepe).
Sometimes the term die Reeperbahn is also used metonymically for the entire surrounding neighborhood (known as der Kiez).
- Meaning 1: A specific street in Hamburg-St. Pauli.
- Meaning 2: The St. Pauli entertainment district as a whole.
- Meaning 3 (Historical): A track or facility for making ropes (Reepen).
🚨 There is only this one article, die, for Reeperbahn, as it is a proper noun (street name) derived from 'die Bahn' (feminine).
🧐 Grammar: 'Die Reeperbahn' in Detail
The word "Reeperbahn" is a feminine noun. The article is always die.
Declension
| Case | Form |
|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die Reeperbahn |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der Reeperbahn |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der Reeperbahn |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die Reeperbahn |
Example Sentences
- Wir gehen heute Abend auf die Reeperbahn.
(We are going to the Reeperbahn tonight.) - Die Geschichte der Reeperbahn ist faszinierend.
(The history of the Reeperbahn is fascinating.) - Ich war noch nie auf der Reeperbahn.
(I have never been to the Reeperbahn.) - Viele Touristen besuchen die Reeperbahn.
(Many tourists visit the Reeperbahn.) - Früher gab es in vielen Hafenstädten Reeperbahnen zur Seilherstellung.
(In the past, many port cities had 'Reeperbahnen' for rope production.)
💡 Everyday Usage
The term die Reeperbahn is almost exclusively used in connection with the famous street and entertainment district in Hamburg.
- Context: Mostly in conversations about Hamburg, tourism, nightlife, parties, musicals, theaters (like the Operettenhaus or St. Pauli Theater), or the red-light scene.
- Synonyms: Colloquially, people often talk about "der Kiez" when referring to the Reeperbahn and its surroundings. "Die sündigste Meile" (the most sinful mile) is also a well-known nickname.
- Distinction: The historical meaning as a ropewalk is hardly present in general usage today, except in historical or etymological explanations.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Reeperbahn'
For the article 'die': Think of die lange Bahn (the long path/track) where the ropes (Reepe) were made. 'Bahn' is feminine in German, so it's die Reeperbahn.
For the meaning: Imagine sailors getting Reepe (ropes) for their ships on this Bahn (path) back in the day, and today people hit the Bahn (go out partying) there.
🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Der Kiez: Colloquial term for the St. Pauli district, especially the Reeperbahn area.
- Die sündigste Meile: (The most sinful mile) A popular nickname for the Reeperbahn.
- St. Pauli: The district where the Reeperbahn is located (often used synonymously).
Antonyms (Opposing Meaning)
Direct antonyms are difficult as it's a proper name. However, one could name places with opposite characteristics:
Risk of Confusion?
Rare, as the name is very specific. Possibly with other street names ending in '-bahn', but the context (Hamburg, entertainment district) usually makes it clear.
😂 A Little Joke
Ein Tourist fragt auf der Reeperbahn einen Polizisten: "Sagen Sie mal, ist hier wirklich alles erlaubt?"
Antwortet der Polizist: "Nein, das Parken nicht!"
Translation:
A tourist on the Reeperbahn asks a police officer: "Tell me, is everything really allowed here?"
The police officer replies: "No, parking isn't!"
✍️ Poem about the Mile
Die Reeperbahn bei Nacht erwacht,
Mit Lichtern, Lärm und voller Pracht.
Vom Seil zum Tanz, welch weiter Sprung,
Auf St. Pauli, wild und jung.
Theater, Bars und was gefällt,
Die bunte, laute Kiez-Welt.
Translation:
The Reeperbahn awakens at night,
With lights, noise, and full of might.
From rope to dance, what a leap,
On St. Pauli, wild and deep.
Theaters, bars, and what delights,
The colorful, loud Kiez-sights.
❓ Little Riddle
Ich bin 'ne Bahn, doch fährt kein Zug,
Hab Seile nur im Namenszug.
Bin nachts bekannt für Licht und Leute,
In Hamburg finden mich noch heute.
Wer bin ich?
... Die Reeperbahn
Translation:
I am a 'Bahn' (track/path), but no train runs,
I only have ropes in my name's stuns.
I'm known at night for light and crowd,
In Hamburg, I'm still found aloud.
Who am I?
... The Reeperbahn
⚓ More Fun Facts
Word Composition
The word "Reeperbahn" is composed of:
- Das Reep: (Low German) for strong rope, hawser. Related to the English word "rope".
- Die Bahn: Path, track, facility.
So, literally: A path/facility for making ropes.
Trivia
- Die Reeperbahn is about 930 meters (0.58 miles) long.
- Also famous is the Hans-Albers-Platz, right on the Reeperbahn, named after the famous actor and singer ("Auf der Reeperbahn nachts um halb eins" - On the Reeperbahn at half past twelve at night).
- Besides bars and clubs, there are also theaters (Operettenhaus, St. Pauli Theater, Schmidts Tivoli), the Panoptikum (wax museum), and the famous Davidwache (police station).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Reeperbahn?
The correct article for Reeperbahn is always die. It is a feminine proper noun (street name), derived from 'die Bahn'.