die  Struktur

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʃtʁʊkˈtuːɐ̯/

🏗️ What does 'die Struktur' mean?

Die Struktur (noun, feminine) refers to the internal composition, arrangement, or organization of something. It describes how different parts of a whole are interconnected and work together.

• Aufbau/Anordnung (Composition/Arrangement): How something is put together (e.g., die Struktur eines Gebäudes - the structure of a building, die Struktur eines Satzes - the structure of a sentence).
• Organisation (Organization): The way something is organized (e.g., die Struktur eines Unternehmens - the structure of a company, die Struktur einer Datenbank - the structure of a database).
• Gefüge (Framework/Fabric): The internal framework or pattern (e.g., die soziale Struktur einer Gesellschaft - the social structure of a society, die molekulare Struktur eines Stoffes - the molecular structure of a substance).

It's a very versatile word used in many different contexts, from natural sciences and social sciences to technology and everyday life.

⚠️ It's always die Struktur (feminine), there are no other articles for this noun.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🔍 Grammar in Detail: Die Struktur

The noun 'Struktur' is feminine. Here is its declension:

💡 Example Sentences

1. Die Struktur des Gebäudes ist sehr komplex. (The structure of the building is very complex. - Nominative Singular)
2. Wir analysieren die Struktur des Unternehmens. (We are analyzing the structure of the company. - Accusative Singular)
3. Dank der klaren Struktur war der Vortrag leicht verständlich. (Thanks to the clear structure, the presentation was easy to understand. - Dative Singular)
4. Die Untersuchung der verschiedenen Strukturen ist faszinierend. (The investigation of the different structures is fascinating. - Genitive Plural)
5. Neue gesellschaftliche Strukturen entstehen. (New societal structures are emerging. - Nominative Plural)

🗣️ How to use 'die Struktur'?

'Die Struktur' is used to describe the composition or organization of almost anything. It's a rather formal and abstract word, but it also appears in everyday language.

• Wissenschaft & Technik (Science & Technology): Molekulare Strukturen (molecular structures), Datenstrukturen (data structures), geologische Strukturen (geological structures).
• Organisation & Wirtschaft (Organization & Business): Unternehmensstruktur (company structure), Organisationsstruktur (organizational structure), Preisstruktur (price structure).
• Gesellschaft & Politik (Society & Politics): Soziale Struktur (social structure), politische Struktur (political structure), Familienstruktur (family structure).
• Sprache & Text (Language & Text): Satzstruktur (sentence structure), Textstruktur (text structure), Argumentationsstruktur (argument structure).
• Architektur & Bauwesen (Architecture & Construction): Baustruktur (building structure), Tragstruktur (supporting structure).

Comparison with similar words:

• Der Aufbau: Similar to Struktur, often interchangeable, sometimes refers more concretely to the process of assembling.
• Die Gliederung: Often refers to the visible division, e.g., of a text or presentation (die Gliederung eines Buches - the outline of a book). Struktur can also mean the invisible, internal connections.
• Die Organisation: Often emphasizes the system and functionality, while Struktur tends to describe the framework.

One often talks about strukturieren (verb - to structure) something or etwas eine Struktur geben (to give something a structure).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Struktur'

For the article 'die': Many German nouns ending in -ur are feminine: die Natur (nature), die Kultur (culture), die Zensur (censorship)... and also die Struktur! Think of other '-ure' words in English that correspond to feminine '-ur' words in German.

For the meaning: It looks and sounds very similar to the English word structure. Imagine the structure of a building – its internal Aufbau (composition) and Organisation (organization).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms of Struktur

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Die Textur: Refers to the surface quality (e.g., of fabrics, materials), not the internal composition. Sounds similar, but means something different (texture)!

😂 A Little Joke about Struktur

German: Warum war das Meeting der Architekten so chaotisch? – Es fehlte einfach die richtige Struktur!

English: Why was the architects' meeting so chaotic? – It simply lacked the right structure!

📜 Structure in Verse

German:
Ob Molekül, ob Satz, ob Haus,
nichts kommt ohne sie wohl aus.
Sie gibt den Halt, den festen Plan,
zeigt, wie alles wirken kann.
Von innen stark, nach außen klar,
die Struktur ist immer da.

English Translation:
Be it molecule, sentence, or house,
nothing can manage without it.
It provides support, the solid plan,
shows how everything can function.
Strong inside, clear outside,
the structure is always there.

❓ Who or what am I? A Struktur Riddle

German:
Ich bin der Plan, der inn're Halt,
in Zellen, Texten, jung und alt.
Ich ordne Teile, groß und klein,
ohne mich wär' alles nur Schein.
Mal sichtbar, mal nur im Konzept,
von Architekten oft getrackt.

English Translation:
I am the plan, the inner hold,
in cells, in texts, both young and old.
I order parts, both large and small,
without me, all would seem to fall.
Sometimes visible, sometimes concept's art,
often tracked by architects from the start.

Who am I?
Solution: Die Struktur (The Structure)

🧩 Trivia about Struktur

• Etymology (Wortherkunft): The word 'Struktur' comes from the Latin word structura, meaning 'building', 'assemblage', 'order'. It is related to the Latin verb struere ('to layer', 'to assemble', 'to build').
• Compound Words (Komposita): 'Struktur' is part of many important terms, e.g.:
  • Datenstruktur (Data structure)
  • Unternehmensstruktur (Company structure)
  • Sozialstruktur (Social structure)
  • Proteinstruktur (Protein structure)
  • Satzstruktur (Sentence structure)
  • Infrastruktur (Infrastructure)