die  Rute

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʁuːtə/

🧐 What exactly is a 'Rute'?

The German word die Rute is feminine and has several meanings:

• A thin, flexible branch or stick: Often without leaves, traditionally sometimes used for corporal punishment (e.g., 'Birkenrute' - birch switch).
• A fishing rod: The equipment used for catching fish. 🎣
• The tail of certain animals: Especially used for the tail of dogs and foxes. 🐕
• A dowsing rod: A forked stick or wire supposedly used to locate groundwater or mineral deposits ('Wünschelrute').
• An old unit of length: Historically, 'die Rute' was also used as a unit of measurement (length varied regionally).

⚠️ The meaning related to corporal punishment is very outdated today and no longer socially acceptable.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📝 Grammar of 'die Rute' in Detail

The noun die Rute is feminine. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

1. (Zweig/Stock) Früher bekamen unartige Kinder symbolisch die Rute gezeigt.
   (In the past, naughty children were symbolically shown the switch.)
2. (Angel) Er packte seine neue Rute und ging zum See.
   (He packed his new fishing rod and went to the lake.)
3. (Schwanz) Der Hund wedelte freudig mit der Rute.
   (The dog wagged its tail happily.)
4. (Wünschelrute) Der Wünschelrutengänger suchte mit seiner Rute nach Wasser.
   (The dowser searched for water with his dowsing rod.)
5. (Maß) Das Feld war genau zehn Ruten lang.
   (The field was exactly ten 'Ruten' long.)

💡 How 'die Rute' is Used

The usage of die Rute strongly depends on the context:

• In connection with plants or discipline, it refers to a branch or stick (e.g., 'Birkenrute'). The idiom 'jemandem die Rute ins Fenster stellen' means to reprimand or threaten someone.
• In fishing, it clearly means the fishing rod.
• For animals like dogs, the tail is often called 'die Rute' instead of 'der Schwanz' (especially in hunter's language or among breeders).
• The 'Wünschelrute' (dowsing rod) is a specific tool in radiesthesia.
• As a unit of measurement, 'die Rute' is uncommon today and only of historical interest.

Pay attention to the context to avoid misunderstandings, as the meanings are quite different.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'Rute'

Article Mnemonic: Think of nature, which is often associated with feminine aspects in some languages: Die Pflanze (the plant) gives die Rute (the switch/branch). Or think of 'fishing' - maybe imagine a graceful feminin fisherwoman holding die Rute (fishing rod). This helps remember the feminine gender 'die'.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a DOG (with its Rute = tail) happily carrying a FISHING ROD (Rute) which is made from a long SWITCH (Rute). This visually links three main meanings.

🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms

Lookalikes / Soundalikes

• die Route: Sounds similar, but means route or path.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der eine Angler den anderen: "Beißt was?"
Sagt der andere: "Nein, du kannst die Fische ruhig streicheln."

One angler asks the other: "Are they biting?"
The other replies: "No, you can pet the fish if you like."
(Relates to the fishing Rute)

✍️ Poem about 'die Rute'

Am Ufer still, die Sonne lacht,
hält er die Rute mit Bedacht.
Ein feiner Faden, kaum zu sehn,
wird bald den großen Fang erspähn.

Der Hund daneben, treu und gut,
wedelt mit seiner eignen Rut'.
Ein Zweiglein treibt im Wasser klar,
auch das war mal 'ne Rute, wunderbar.

(By the shore quiet, the sun does laugh,)
(He holds the rod with careful craft.)
(A slender line, barely in view,)
(Will soon espy a catch anew.)

(The dog beside him, loyal, good,)
(Wags with his own tail, understood.)
(A twig floats in the water clear,)
(That too was once a switch, held dear.)

🧩 Who or What Am I?

Ich kann ein Zweig sein, dünn und lang,
dem Angler helf' ich beim Fischfang.
Ein Hund zeigt Freude mit mir sehr,
man suchte Wasser einst mit mir, und mehr.

Was bin ich?

(I can be a branch, thin and long,)
(I help the angler catch fish along.)
(A dog shows great joy using me,)
(People once sought water with me, you see.)

What am I?
→ Die Rute (the rod/switch/tail)

ℹ️ More Trivia

Etymology: The word 'Rute' comes from the Old High German word 'ruota', which originally meant 'pole' or 'stick'. The various meanings evolved from this over time.

Historical Measurement: The length of a 'Rute' as a unit of measurement varied greatly depending on the region and time period, but was often between 3 and 5 meters (about 10 to 16 feet).