die
Stoppuhr
⏱️ What exactly is a Stoppuhr?
Die Stoppuhr is a special time-measuring device (Zeitmessgerät) used to precisely measure the duration of an event. Unlike a normal clock (Uhr) that shows the current time, a Stoppuhr measures time intervals – it can be started, stopped, and reset to zero.
There are two main types:
- Analoge Stoppuhren: Analog stopwatches with hands on a dial.
- Digitale Stoppuhren: Digital stopwatches with a numerical display, often with additional functions like lap times (Rundenzeiten).
It is frequently used in sports (Sport), during scientific experiments (wissenschaftliche Experimente), or even in the kitchen (Küche). ⚠️ Don't confuse it with a Timer (Kurzzeitwecker), which gives a signal after a preset time has elapsed.
Die Stoppuhr: A Grammar Check 🧐
The word "Stoppuhr" is feminine. Therefore, the article is die.
Declension Singular
| Case (Kasus) | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (1st Case) | die Stoppuhr | eine Stoppuhr (a stopwatch) |
| Genitive (2nd Case) | der Stoppuhr | einer Stoppuhr (of a stopwatch) |
| Dative (3rd Case) | der Stoppuhr | einer Stoppuhr (to/for a stopwatch) |
| Accusative (4th Case) | die Stoppuhr | eine Stoppuhr (a stopwatch) |
Declension Plural
| Case (Kasus) | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Stoppuhren | - Stoppuhren (stopwatches) |
| Genitive | der Stoppuhren | - Stoppuhren (of stopwatches) |
| Dative | den Stoppuhren | - Stoppuhren (to/for stopwatches) |
| Accusative | die Stoppuhren | - Stoppuhren (stopwatches) |
Example Sentences ✍️
- Der Trainer startet die Stoppuhr genau beim Startsignal.
(The coach starts the stopwatch exactly at the start signal.) - Für das Experiment benötigen wir eine präzise Stoppuhr.
(For the experiment, we need a precise stopwatch.) - Gib mir bitte die Stoppuhr, ich möchte die Zeit messen.
(Please give me the stopwatch, I want to measure the time.) - Die Genauigkeit der Stoppuhr ist entscheidend für das Ergebnis.
(The accuracy of the stopwatch is crucial for the result.) - Mit einer Stoppuhr kann man Rundenzeiten festhalten.
(With a stopwatch, you can record lap times.)
When and How to Use a Stoppuhr? 🏃♀️🔬
Die Stoppuhr is used whenever you need to measure a time span (Zeitspanne) accurately. Here are typical areas of application:
- Sport: Measuring running times, swimming times, lap times in motorsports, etc.
- Wissenschaft & Technik (Science & Technology): Timing experiments, test procedures, production processes.
- Alltag (Everyday life): When cooking (e.g., boiling eggs), during games, for timing talks or presentations.
- Bildung (Education): In physics or physical education classes.
Unlike a watch (Armbanduhr) or wall clock (Wanduhr), which display continuous time, the Stoppuhr focuses on measuring intervals from a starting point. A Timer (or Eieruhr - egg timer, Kurzzeitwecker - short-time alarm) counts down a preset time.
Memory Aids for Stoppuhr 🧠
Article Mnemonic: Think of die Uhr (the clock/watch). A Stoppuhr is a special type of Uhr, and "Uhr" is feminine. So: die Uhr -> die Stoppuhr.
Meaning Mnemonic: The word is composed of "Stopp" (like 'to stop') and "Uhr" (like 'clock' or 'hour'). It's a clock you can stop to measure time. Simple!
Similar and Contrasting Terms ↔️
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Der/Das Chronometer: Often used synonymously, but strictly speaking refers to a particularly precise timekeeping instrument (can also be a regular clock).
- Der Zeitmesser: A more general term for any device that measures time.
- Der Kurzzeitmesser: Emphasizes the measurement of shorter intervals.
Terms with different functions (not direct antonyms):
A Little Time Joke 😄
Warum hat die Blondine die Stoppuhr aus dem Fenster geworfen?
Sie wollte sehen, wie die Zeit vergeht!
(Translation: Why did the blonde throw the stopwatch out the window?
She wanted to see time fly!)
Poem about the Stoppuhr 📜
Kleine Uhr, hältst inne, stehst bereit,
Misst den Moment, die flücht'ge Zeit.
Ein Knopfdruck nur, der Zeiger rennt,
Bis man ihn wieder stoppt und nennt,
Wie schnell der Lauf, das Spiel, das Tun.
Dann ruhst du still, um neu zu ruhn
Auf Null, bereit für nächsten Start,
Die Stoppuhr – Wächter ihrer Art.
(Translation:
Little clock, pausing, ready stands,
Measures the moment, fleeting time's sands.
Just one button press, the hand does race,
Until stopped again, telling the pace,
How swift the run, the game, the deed.
Then rests in silence, plants a seed
At zero, poised for the next start,
The stopwatch – guardian of its art.)
Who or What Am I? 🤔
Ich habe Zeiger oder Zahlen klar,
Doch sag dir nie, wie spät es war.
Ich starte, wenn du drückst, geschwind,
Und halte an, wie's dir bestimmt.
Beim Sport bin ich ein treuer Gast,
Miss deine Leistung ohne Hast.
Was bin ich?
(Translation:
I have hands or numbers clear,
But never tell the time of year.
I start when you press, swift and keen,
And stop just as you have foreseen.
In sports, I am a faithful guest,
Measuring your performance, put to the test.
What am I?)
Lösung/Solution: Die Stoppuhr (The Stopwatch)
Trivia & Origin 🤓
Word Composition
The word "Stoppuhr" is a compound noun (Kompositum), made up of:
- stopp(en): The verb for 'to stop'.
- die Uhr: The noun for 'clock' or 'watch'.
So, literally a "stop clock".
Trivia
- The first portable stopwatches were developed in the 19th century, primarily for timing sports events.
- Modern digital stopwatches can often measure time accurately to the hundredth or thousandth of a second.
- Many smartphones today have an integrated stopwatch function in their clock app (Uhren-App).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Stoppuhr?
The German word for stopwatch is die Stoppuhr. It is a feminine noun. The plural is die Stoppuhren. It refers to a device used for measuring time intervals.