die
Trasse
🛤️ What exactly is a 'Trasse'?
The word die Trasse (noun, feminine) refers to the planned or already established route of a traffic connection or a line (like pipelines or power lines). It describes the Linienführung (alignment, routing), meaning the path taken by, for example, a road (Straße), a railway line (Eisenbahnlinie), a pipeline (Pipeline), or a high-voltage power line (Hochspannungsleitung).
Essentially, 'die Trasse' is the corridor or axis along which something is built or laid. It is often shown in detail in technical drawings and planning documents.
Sometimes the term is used more generally for a path or trail, especially if it leads through difficult terrain (e.g., a cut line through a forest).
🚨 Attention: Do not confuse 'die Trasse' with 'die Terrasse' (a terrace or patio)!
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: The Declension of 'Trasse'
The noun 'die Trasse' is feminine. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Trasse |
| Genitive | der | Trasse |
| Dative | der | Trasse |
| Accusative | die | Trasse |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Trassen |
| Genitive | der | Trassen |
| Dative | den | Trassen |
| Accusative | die | Trassen |
📝 Example Sentences
- Die neue Trasse der Autobahn wird durch den Wald führen. (The new alignment of the motorway will lead through the forest.)
- Die Planung der Trasse für die Hochgeschwindigkeitsstrecke ist abgeschlossen. (The planning of the route for the high-speed railway line is complete.)
- Entlang der alten Bahntrasse wurde ein Radweg angelegt. (A cycle path was created along the old railway alignment.)
- Für die Pipeline musste eine geeignete Trasse gefunden werden. (A suitable route had to be found for the pipeline.)
💡 How 'die Trasse' is used
'Die Trasse' is a technical term primarily used in the fields of Verkehrsplanung (transport planning), Bauwesen (construction), and Ingenieurwesen (engineering). Common uses include:
- Straßentrasse: The alignment of a planned or existing road.
- Bahntrasse: The alignment of a railway line.
- Leitungstrasse: The route for pipelines, power lines, telecommunication cables, etc.
In general conversation, people are more likely to use Strecke (route, stretch), Route (route), or Weg (path, way). 'Trasse' emphasizes the planned, often technically defined nature of the course.
Comparison:
- Die Route des Wanderwegs ist gut ausgeschildert. (The route of the hiking trail is well signposted. - More general, often touristic context)
- Die Strecke des Marathons beträgt 42 Kilometer. (The distance of the marathon is 42 kilometers. - Emphasizes distance)
- Die Trasse der neuen Umgehungsstraße wurde festgelegt. (The alignment of the new bypass road has been determined. - Technical, planning context)
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Think of the English word 'trace' - you trace a line. A line or route often feels like it should be feminine in German (like 'die Linie'). So, remember 'die Trasse' is the path you trace. Also, many German nouns ending in '-e' are feminine ('die').
Meaning Mnemonic: A 'Trasse' is like a 'track' or the path engineers 'trace' on a map before construction. Imagine engineers TRACing the future pASShway - TRASSE.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Linienführung: Alignment, routing (very similar).
- Streckenführung: Route layout, alignment (often used synonymously).
- Verlauf: Course, path (general term).
- Bahnkörper: Track bed (part of the railway Trasse).
- Korridor: Corridor (the space where the Trasse runs).
- Schneise: A cleared strip, often in a forest (can be a Trasse).
⚠️ Similar but different words:
😂 A Little Joke about 'die Trasse'
German: Fragt der Bauleiter den Ingenieur: "Ist die neue Bahntrasse jetzt endlich gerade?" Antwortet der Ingenieur: "Ja, absolut! Sie hat nur ein paar Kurven, damit sie nicht langweilig wird!"
English Translation: The construction manager asks the engineer: "Is the new railway alignment finally straight now?" The engineer replies: "Yes, absolutely! It just has a few curves so it doesn't get boring!"
📜 A Poem about the 'Trasse'
German:
Durch Wald und Feld, durch Stein und Sand,
Zieht sich ein langes, graues Band.
Geplant mit Zirkel, Maß und Strich,
Die Trasse windet stolz durchs Land für dich.
Für Bahn und Straße, Strom und Rohr,
Ein Weg gebahnt, ein offnes Tor.
English Translation:
Through forest, field, through stone and sand,
A long, grey ribbon runs through the land.
Planned with compass, measure, line,
The alignment proudly winds, a design.
For rail and road, for power and pipe,
A path now paved, of a new type,
A way prepared, an open door.
❓ Riddle Time
German:
Ich bin ein Weg, doch meistens nur auf Papier,
Bevor Bagger kommen und bauen hier.
Ich zeige, wo Bahn und Straße sollen geh'n,
Oder wo Pipelines man wird seh'n.
Wer bin ich?
English Translation:
I am a path, but mostly just on paper,
Before excavators come and start their caper.
I show where rail and road should go,
Or where pipelines will flow below.
What am I?
Solution: die Trasse (the alignment/route)
🌐 Other Information
Etymology (Word Origin): The word 'Trasse' comes from the French verb tracer, which means "to draw", "to mark out", or "to trace". This reflects the planning origin of the term.
Compound Nouns (Wortzusammensetzungen): 'Trasse' is often used in compound nouns to specify the purpose more clearly:
- Bahntrasse (railway alignment)
- Straßentrasse (road alignment)
- Autobahntrasse (motorway/highway alignment)
- Leitungstrasse (pipeline/power line route)
- Gleistrasse (track alignment)
- Neubaustrecke-Trasse (new line alignment)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Trasse?
The noun 'Trasse' is feminine. The correct article is die. Therefore, it is always die Trasse. The plural form is die Trassen.
