der Backstein
brick
A block made of fired clay, used for building.
EXAMPLE
Die Fassade des alten Hauses besteht aus rotem Backstein.
The facade of the old house is made of red brick.
der Backstein
brick
der Backstein, die Backsteine
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Backstein, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Backsteine |
| genitive | des Backsteins |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Backstein | die Backsteine |
| accusative | den Backstein | die Backsteine |
| dative | dem Backstein | den Backsteinen |
| genitive | des Backsteins des Backsteines | der Backsteine |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Backstein' (brick) is made up of 'backen' (to bake) and 'Stein' (stone). The name reflects the fact that the brick is shaped from clay and fired in a kiln.
EXAMPLE
Die Mauer besteht aus alten Backsteinen.
The wall is made of old bricks.
Typical collocations
Common combinations include 'rote Backsteine' (red bricks), 'eine Backsteinfassade' (a brick facade), and 'ein Backsteinhaus' (a brick house). The word often describes the visible building material of a building.
EXAMPLE
Viele Häuser in diesem Stadtviertel haben eine schöne Fassade aus roten Backsteinen.
Many houses in this neighborhood have a beautiful facade made of red bricks.
Specifying materials
The building material is often expressed using the preposition 'aus' (made of) with the dative: 'aus Backstein' (made of brick). The material can also be indicated by a compound noun such as 'Backsteinmauer' (brick wall).
EXAMPLE
Die alte Mauer aus Backstein trennt den Garten von der Straße.
The old brick wall separates the garden from the street.
In real life
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