die
Straßenbeleuchtung
💡 What exactly is Straßenbeleuchtung?
Die Straßenbeleuchtung (feminine, article: die) refers to the entirety of artificial light sources used to illuminate streets, paths, and public spaces during darkness. Its main purpose is to increase traffic safety for vehicles and pedestrians and to improve the feeling of security.
It's a compound noun formed from Straße (street) and Beleuchtung (lighting, illumination).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
🧐 Grammar of Straßenbeleuchtung
The noun „Straßenbeleuchtung“ is feminine. The article is die. It is primarily used in the singular; the plural (die Straßenbeleuchtungen) is rare and usually refers to different types or systems of lighting.
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Nom.) | die | Straßenbeleuchtung |
| Genitive (Gen.) | der | Straßenbeleuchtung |
| Dative (Dat.) | der | Straßenbeleuchtung |
| Accusative (Acc.) | die | Straßenbeleuchtung |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nom. | die | Straßenbeleuchtungen |
| Gen. | der | Straßenbeleuchtungen |
| Dat. | den | Straßenbeleuchtungen |
| Acc. | die | Straßenbeleuchtungen |
Example Sentences
- Die neue Straßenbeleuchtung verwendet energiesparende LED-Lampen.
The new street lighting uses energy-saving LED lamps. - Wegen eines Defekts funktionierte die Straßenbeleuchtung in unserer Gasse nicht.
Due to a defect, the street lighting in our alley wasn't working. - Die Helligkeit der Straßenbeleuchtung wird nachts manchmal reduziert.
The brightness of the street lighting is sometimes reduced at night. - Man investiert viel in die Modernisierung der Straßenbeleuchtungen in der Stadt (Plural, rare).
A lot is being invested in modernizing the street lighting systems in the city.
🚦 Everyday Usage
The term die Straßenbeleuchtung is mostly used in the singular and refers to the entire system of lighting along one or more streets.
- Typical Contexts: Urban planning, traffic safety, energy consumption, nighttime orientation.
- Differentiation: A single lamp is usually called Straßenlaterne or Laterne (lamppost, lantern). Straßenbeleuchtung is the umbrella term for the system.
- Function: It serves safety, visibility, and also the design of public space at night.
People often talk about the Installation (installation), Wartung (maintenance), or Modernisierung (modernization) of the Straßenbeleuchtung.
🧠 Mnemonics for Straßenbeleuchtung
Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in -ung in German are almost always feminine (die). Since Beleuchtung (lighting) is feminine, the compound word Straßenbeleuchtung inherits this gender. Remember: die Beleuchtung -> die Straßenbeleuchtung.
Meaning Mnemonic: Picture a whole Straße (street) being lit up at night – that's the job of the Beleuchtung (lighting). Together, they form the concept of Straßenbeleuchtung.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Die Beleuchtung (lighting - more general)
- Die Straßenlaternen (streetlights/lampposts - technically refers to the individual lamps, but often used synonymously for the system)
- Das Stadtlicht (city light - more poetic, less common)
Antonyms (Opposites):
- Die Dunkelheit (darkness)
- Die Finsternis (gloom, darkness)
- Die Nacht (night - without artificial light)
Related Terms:
- Die Straßenlaterne: A single lamppost belonging to the street lighting system.
- Die Lichtverschmutzung: Light pollution, a negative side effect of excessive artificial lighting.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat die Straßenlaterne den Test nicht bestanden?
Sie war nicht helle genug! 😄
(Translation: Why did the streetlight fail the test? - Because it wasn't bright enough! (Pun: 'helle' means bright, but 'helle sein' also means to be clever/bright))
📜 Poem for the Night
Wenn Dunkelheit die Gassen füllt,
Und jeder Schritt im Schatten quillt,
Dann wacht sie auf, mit hellem Schein,
Die Straßenbeleuchtung, klar und rein.
Sie weist den Weg durch tiefe Nacht,
Und hält für uns die sich're Wacht.
(Translation:)
When darkness fills the narrow lanes,
And every step in shadow wanes,
It wakes up then, with brilliant light,
The street illumination, clear and bright.
It shows the way through deepest night,
And keeps for us a watchful sight.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich habe viele Augen, doch sehe nicht.
Ich mache die Nacht zum Tage, mit künstlichem Licht.
An Straßen steh' ich, hoch und oft in Reih' und Glied.
Was bin ich, das Sicherheit bei Dunkelheit gibt?
(Translation:)
I have many eyes, but cannot see.
I turn the night to day, artificially.
On streets I stand, tall and often in a row.
What am I, bringing safety when it's dark, you know?
Solution: Die Straßenbeleuchtung (Street lighting)
🌐 Further Information
Word Composition:
The word "Straßenbeleuchtung" is a compound noun made up of:
- Die Straße: Street, road.
- Die Beleuchtung: Lighting, illumination.
The grammatical gender is determined by the final component, "Beleuchtung", which is feminine (die).
Trivia:
- The first electric street lighting was introduced in the late 19th century.
- Modern street lighting often uses LED technology to save energy and reduce light pollution (Lichtverschmutzung).
- Smart street lighting systems can adjust their brightness based on traffic volume or ambient light levels.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Straßenbeleuchtung?
The word "Straßenbeleuchtung" is feminine. The correct article is die. It is used in the singular to describe the overall lighting system for streets (e.g., die Straßenbeleuchtung ist an - the street lighting is on).