die  Waage

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈvaːɡə/

⚖️ What exactly is 'die Waage'?

The German word die Waage primarily has two meanings:

1. A measuring device for determining weight: This could be a Küchenwaage (kitchen scale), Personenwaage (bathroom scale), Briefwaage (letter scale), or a precise Laborwaage (laboratory scale). It's used to find the mass or weight of an object or substance.

   Example: Ich stelle die Schüssel auf die Waage, um das Mehl abzuwiegen. (I place the bowl on the scale to weigh the flour.)

2. The zodiac sign Libra: In astrology, Waage is the seventh sign of the zodiac (approx. September 23 – October 23). People born during this period are often referred to as a "Waage".

   Example: Meine Schwester ist Sternzeichen Waage. (My sister's star sign is Libra.)

🚨 Important: The word always uses the article die, regardless of the meaning. It's a feminine noun.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Waage

The noun die Waage is feminine. Here are the declension tables:

Singular

Plural

💡 Example Sentences

• Die digitale Waage in der Küche ist sehr präzise. (The digital scale in the kitchen is very precise.) - Nominative Singular
• Das Ergebnis der Waage war überraschend. (The result of the scale was surprising.) - Genitive Singular (referring to the measuring device)
• Ich lege das Paket auf die Waage. (I put the package on the scale.) - Accusative Singular
• Viele Supermärkte haben Waagen in der Obst- und Gemüseabteilung. (Many supermarkets have scales in the fruit and vegetable section.) - Accusative Plural
• Sie glaubt an die Eigenschaften der Waage. (She believes in the characteristics of Libra.) - Genitive Singular (referring to the zodiac sign)

🔄 When and how to use 'die Waage'?

Die Waage is used in various contexts:

• Alltag & Haushalt (Everyday Life & Household): For weighing ingredients in cooking or baking (Küchenwaage), checking body weight (Personenwaage), weighing letters (Briefwaage).
• Handel & Industrie (Trade & Industry): For weighing goods for sale or production (Ladenwaage, Industriewaage).
• Wissenschaft & Labor (Science & Lab): For precise measurements (Laborwaage, Analysewaage).
• Astrologie (Astrology): When discussing horoscopes and zodiac signs.
• Figurativ (Figuratively): Sometimes "die Waage halten" is used to express maintaining a balance (e.g., Einnahmen und Ausgaben die Waage halten - keeping income and expenses balanced). Also, the symbol of Justice (Justitia) holds a scale (Waage).

It's a common word with clear definitions. Confusion is rare as long as the context makes the meaning clear (measuring device vs. zodiac sign).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Waage'

For the article 'die': Think of a diva (feminine association like 'die') who constantly checks her weight on die Waage. Or remember that many tools ending in 'e' are feminine (though not a strict rule!).

For the meanings: Imagine a person born under the sign Libra (die Waage) standing on a bathroom scale (die Waage), trying to find balance. Both concepts use the same German word: die Waage.

🔁 Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words

Related/Similar Words

• wiegen: The verb describing the action of using a scale (to weigh).
• Gewicht: Weight, the quantity measured by the scale.
• Gleichgewicht: Equilibrium or balance, often symbolized by a scale.
• abwägen: To weigh up options, consider carefully (figurative meaning derived from the concept of the scale).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt die eine Waage die andere: "Na, wie geht's?"
Antwortet die andere: "Ach, mal so, mal so – es hält sich die Waage!"

Translation:
One scale asks the other: "Hey, how's it going?"
The other replies: "Oh, sometimes this way, sometimes that way – it's balanced!" (The idiom "es hält sich die Waage" means "it's balanced" or "it evens out".)

📜 Poem about the Waage

Die Waage zeigt, mal schwer, mal leicht,
was auf die Schale man gereicht.
Ob Mehl, ob Zucker, Gramm für Gramm,
präzise misst sie, ohne Scham.

Auch Sterne tragen diesen Namen,
im Herbst geboren, edle Damen,
und Herren auch, gerecht und fein,
so soll das Sternbild Waage sein.

Translation:
The scale shows, sometimes heavy, sometimes light,
what has been placed upon its plate.
Whether flour or sugar, gram by gram,
it measures precisely, without shame.

Stars also bear this very name,
born in autumn, noble dame,
and gentlemen too, just and fine,
so shall the Libra constellation shine.

🤔 Little Riddle

Ich habe zwei Schalen, doch esse nie.
Ich zeige Gewicht, doch hebe nie Knie.
Man findet mich am Himmel und in der Küch'.
Ich halte die Balance, wer oder was bin ich?

Translation:
I have two bowls, but never eat.
I show the weight, but never lift a knee.
You find me in the sky and in the kitchen nook.
I maintain the balance, who or what am I? Look!

Solution: die Waage (the scale / Libra)

➕ Other Information

• Wortherkunft (Etymology): The word "Waage" comes from the Old High German word "wāga", meaning "movement", "weight", or "scale". It's related to the verbs "wiegen" (to weigh) and "bewegen" (to move).
• Symbolik (Symbolism): The scale (die Waage) is a powerful symbol of justice (Justitia), equilibrium, balance, and sometimes trade.
• Redewendung (Idiom): "Etwas in die Waagschale werfen" literally means "to throw something into the scale pan," used figuratively to mean bringing something important into consideration, adding weight to an argument.