die
Reparatur
🔧 What does "die Reparatur" mean?
Die Reparatur (noun, feminine) refers to the process or the result of restoring a damaged, defective, or worn-out object to a functional state. It's about making something whole or usable again. In English, this translates to repair or mending.
There is only one article for Reparatur: die. It is always feminine.
- Examples: die Reparatur des Autos (the repair of the car), die Reparatur der Waschmaschine (the repair of the washing machine), die Reparatur eines Gebäudes (the repair of a building).
⚠️ Be careful not to confuse Reparatur with Renovierung (renovation). A Reparatur fixes a defect, while a Renovierung often improves or embellishes something existing.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ur/-ür → mostly feminine.
Caution: -eur nouns are usually masculine (e.g. der Ingenieur).
🔍 Grammar in Detail: Die Reparatur
Reparatur is a feminine noun. The article is always die.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die | Reparatur |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der | Reparatur |
| Dative (To whom/What?) | der | Reparatur |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die | Reparatur |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Reparaturen |
| Genitive | der | Reparaturen |
| Dative | den | Reparaturen |
| Accusative | die | Reparaturen |
📝 Example Sentences
- Nominative: Die Reparatur des Daches war teuer. (The repair of the roof was expensive.)
- Genitive: Die Kosten der Reparatur waren unerwartet hoch. (The costs of the repair were unexpectedly high.)
- Dative: Wir stimmten der Reparatur zu. (We agreed to the repair.)
- Akkusativ: Der Techniker führte die Reparatur schnell durch. (The technician carried out the repair quickly.)
- Plural: Nach dem Sturm waren viele Reparaturen an den Häusern nötig. (After the storm, many repairs were necessary on the houses.)
💡 How to use "die Reparatur"?
Die Reparatur is used when talking about fixing damage or defects. It's a very common word in everyday life and technical fields.
- Typical contexts: Crafts, technology, household, vehicles, buildings.
- Fixed expressions:
- etwas zur Reparatur geben/bringen: To take a defective device to a workshop. (e.g., Ich muss mein Handy zur Reparatur geben. - I have to hand in my phone for repair.)
- in Reparatur sein: To be currently undergoing repair. (e.g., Das Auto ist noch in Reparatur. - The car is still under repair.)
- eine Reparatur durchführen/vornehmen: To perform the act of repairing. (e.g., Der Mechaniker führt die Reparatur durch. - The mechanic carries out the repair.)
- Distinction from other words:
- Wartung (maintenance): Regular inspection and care to prevent damage (not necessarily a repair).
- Instandhaltung (upkeep/maintenance): Includes both Wartung and Reparatur to maintain or restore the target condition.
- Renovierung/Sanierung (renovation/refurbishment): Often more extensive than a Reparatur, also includes modernization or cosmetic improvement.
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Reparatur"
Article Mnemonic: Many German nouns ending in -ur are feminine (die Kultur, die Natur, die Zensur, die Prozedur...). Think: The Reparatur is a procedure! (Die Reparatur ist eine Prozedur!) 🔨➡️💃
Meaning Mnemonic: It sounds very similar to the English word "repair". Imagine you need to "re-pair" broken parts to make something whole again – that's a Reparatur.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Instandsetzung: Restoration, repair (often more technical or formal).
- Ausbesserung: Mending, patching up (more for minor damages or cosmetic flaws).
- Wiederherstellung: Restoration, recovery (emphasizes the original state).
- Flickarbeit/Flicken (coll.): Patch-up job, darning (often provisional or less professional).
- Überholung: Overhaul (comprehensive check and repair, often for machines).
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Beschädigung: Damage, damaging.
- Zerstörung: Destruction.
- Verschleiß: Wear and tear.
- Defekt: Defect, fault (the reason for the Reparatur).
⚠️ Similar sounding words:
- Präparatur: Preparation (e.g., of a specimen in biology). Sounds similar but has a completely different meaning.
- Repertoire: Repertoire (collection of practiced pieces in theatre, music).
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Kunde den Uhrmacher: "Ist die Reparatur meiner Uhr teuer?"
Sagt der Uhrmacher: "Nein, nur Ihre Zeit ist kostbar!"
Customer asks the watchmaker: "Is the repair of my watch expensive?"
The watchmaker replies: "No, only your time is precious!" 🕰️💸
✍️ Poem about Reparatur
Ein Riss im Stoff, ein Rad, das kracht,
Ein Stuhlbein wackelt in der Nacht.
Was tun, wenn Dinge nicht mehr geh'n?
Man muss zur Reparatur sie seh'n.
Mit Werkzeug, Leim und gutem Plan,
Fängt man die Instandsetzung an.
Es wird geschraubt, gehämmert, fein,
Bald soll es wieder heile sein!
A tear in fabric, a wheel that cracks,
A chair leg wobbles, losing tracks.
What to do when things won't go?
To get a repair, you must know.
With tools and glue and a good plan,
The mending process now began.
They screw and hammer, fine and neat,
Soon it will be whole and sweet!
❓ Riddle
Ich mache Altes wieder neu,
Bin oft des Handwerkers Getreu.
Ob Auto, Haus, ob Spielzeug klein,
Durch mich wird's wieder funktionell und fein.
Was bin ich? (What am I?)
... Die Reparatur
I make old things new again,
Am often the craftsman's faithful friend.
Whether car, house, or toy so small,
Through me, it works well standing tall.
What am I? ... The repair (die Reparatur)
🧩 Additional Information
- Word Origin: The word Reparatur comes from the Latin verb reparare, meaning "to restore", "to mend", or "to renew".
- Word Formation: It is the noun form derived from the verb reparieren (to repair).
- Compound Words (Komposita): Words are very commonly formed with "Reparatur-", e.g.:
- Autoreparatur (car repair)
- Fahrradreparatur (bicycle repair)
- Reparaturwerkstatt (repair shop)
- Reparaturdienst (repair service)
- Reparaturkosten (repair costs)
- Reparaturschein (repair slip/ticket)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Reparatur?
The noun "Reparatur" is always feminine. The correct article is die. Remember: die Reparatur (singular), die Reparaturen (plural).