die  Spur

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʃpuːɐ̯/

👣 What does "die Spur" mean?

The word die Spur (feminine) has several meanings in German:

• Track or trace: A mark left behind by someone or something. Examples: eine Fußspur im Sand (a footprint in the sand), eine Reifenspur auf der Straße (a tire track on the road), die Spur eines Tieres im Schnee (the track of an animal in the snow).
• Lane (traffic): A designated section of a road or highway. Example: Die linke Spur ist zum Überholen (The left lane is for overtaking).
• Clue or lead: A sign or piece of information that helps in a search or investigation. Example: Die Polizei verfolgt eine heiße Spur im Kriminalfall (The police are following a hot lead in the criminal case).
• Trace (small amount): A very small, barely perceptible amount of something. Example: eine Spur Salz hinzufügen (add a trace of salt), keine Spur von Müdigkeit zeigen (show no trace of tiredness).

⚠️ Pay attention to the context to understand the correct meaning!

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar of "die Spur" in Detail

"Spur" is a feminine noun. The article is "die".

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences ✍️

1. (Track) Wir fanden frische Spuren im Wald. (We found fresh tracks in the forest.)
2. (Lane) Bitte wechseln Sie auf die rechte Spur. (Please change to the right lane.)
3. (Clue/Lead) Der Detektiv ist einer vielversprechenden Spur auf den Fersen. (The detective is on the trail of a promising lead.)
4. (Trace amount) Im Kuchen war nur eine Spur Zimt. (There was only a trace of cinnamon in the cake.)
5. (Idiom) Sie ist wieder voll in der Spur. (She is fully back on track.)

💡 How to use "die Spur"?

The usage of "die Spur" strongly depends on its specific meaning:

• Track/Trace: Often used in the context of nature (Tierspuren - animal tracks), criminology (Spuren am Tatort - traces at the crime scene), or everyday life (Fußspuren - footprints). Related to der Abdruck (imprint), die Fährte (scent/trail, mostly for animals).
• Lane: Mainly in road traffic. Common phrases are "Spur wechseln" (to change lanes), "auf der Spur bleiben" (to stay in the lane). Similar to der Fahrstreifen (lane), die Fahrbahn (roadway, often refers to the entire width).
• Clue/Lead: Used in investigations, research, or when searching for something. "Einer Spur nachgehen" (to follow a lead), "eine Spur verfolgen" (to pursue a trace). Similar to der Hinweis (hint, clue), der Anhaltspunkt (lead, starting point).
• Trace amount: Often in recipes ("eine Spur Salz" - a trace of salt) or to express that something is barely present ("keine Spur von Reue" - no trace of remorse). Similar to ein Hauch (a hint, a touch), ein Quäntchen (a pinch).

There are also fixed idioms like "jemandem auf die Spur kommen" (to figure someone out, uncover their secret) or "aus der Spur geraten" (to lose control, get off track).

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Spur"

Article Mnemonic

Think of the English word "spoor" (animal track). It sounds similar to Spur. Now, imagine a female detective ("die" is feminine) following the spoor. So, it's die Spur.

Meaning Mnemonic

Imagine you SPUR your horse onward (give it a hint/lead with your spurs) to follow a TRACK (Spur) down the left LANE (Spur) of a road, looking for even the smallest TRACE (Spur) of evidence. The word Spur connects all these concepts.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Spur

⚠️ Similar Words

• Der Sporn (Pl. die Sporen): Spur (for riding), the metal thing on a rider's boot. Don't confuse!
• Spüren: The verb meaning "to feel" or "to sense".

😂 A Little Joke

German: Warum nehmen Detektive immer eine Lupe mit auf die Autobahn? – Um die Überhol-Spur genauer unter die Lupe zu nehmen!

English: Why do detectives always take a magnifying glass onto the highway? – To get a closer look at the passing lane (Spur)! 😄

📜 Poem about the Spur

German:
Im weichen Sand, ganz frisch und klar,
zeigt sich die Spur, so wunderbar.
Ein kleiner Fuß, ein Tier vielleicht,
das leise durch die Gegend schleicht.

Auf breiter Straß', in langer Reih',
zieht jede Spur an uns vorbei.
Ein Hinweis klein, ein leiser Hauch,
die Spur verrät Geheimnisse auch.

English Translation:
In the soft sand, so fresh and clear,
the track (Spur) appears, wonderfully here.
A little foot, perhaps a beast,
that quietly sneaks, from west to east.

On the broad road, in a long row,
each lane (Spur) passes by, fast or slow.
A tiny clue, a gentle trace,
the clue/trace (Spur) reveals secrets in this place.

❓ Riddle

German:
Ich kann ein Abdruck sein im Schnee,
auf Autobahnen ich oft steh'.
Als Hinweis helf' ich bei der Jagd,
bin manchmal kaum zu sehn, hab's schon gesagt.

Was bin ich?

English:
I can be an imprint in the snow,
On highways, often where cars go.
As a clue, I help with the chase,
Sometimes I'm barely seen, just a trace.

What am I?

Solution: die Spur

🧩 Additional Information

Compound Words

"Spur" is part of many compound words:

• Fußspur: Footprint
• Autobahnspur: Highway lane
• Spurenelement: Trace element (chemical element found in minute quantities)
• Spürhund: Tracking dog / sniffer dog
• Gegenspur: Opposite lane / oncoming lane

Idioms

• Jemandem auf der Spur sein: To be on someone's track/trail, to be close to finding something out about someone.
• Eine Spur hinterlassen: To leave a trace/mark, make a lasting impression.
• Auf der richtigen Spur sein: To be on the right track (to solve a problem or achieve a goal).
• Keine Spur von etwas: No sign/trace of something.