der Fels
rock
A large, solid mass of stone that is often part of a mountain or cliff. The plural is 'die Felsen' (rocks).
EXAMPLE
Der Wanderweg führte an einem steilen Fels entlang.
The hiking trail ran along a steep rock face.
der Fels
rock
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
ein Fels in der Brandung
a rock in the storm
An idiomatic description of a person who is extremely strong, calm, and reliable in difficult times and gives others support.
EXAMPLE
Während der Familienkrise war unsere Großmutter für alle der Fels in der Brandung.
During the family crisis, our grandmother was a rock in the storm for everyone.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'der Fels' (rock) is the basis for the adjective 'felsig' (rocky). So a 'felsige Landschaft' (rocky landscape) is a landscape with many rocks.
EXAMPLE
Die Küste in dieser Region ist sehr felsig.
The coast in this region is very rocky.
Typical prepositions
To describe position or movement in relation to a rock, the prepositions 'am' (an dem, at/on the), 'auf dem' (on the), or 'im' (in the) are often used.
EXAMPLE
Die Bergsteiger machten eine Pause auf einem großen Fels.
The mountaineers took a break on a large rock.
Fixed expression
The expression 'ein Fels in der Brandung sein' (to be a rock in the storm) is a fixed idiom. It describes a person who remains strong, calm, and reliable even in very difficult, chaotic times.
EXAMPLE
In der Krise war der Teamleiter der Fels in der Brandung für seine Mitarbeiter.
In the crisis, the team leader was a rock in the storm for his employees.
Compare with
Fels vs Felsen
rock
Fels and Felsen can both refer to solid rock, although Felsen often means a single, prominent formation. However, the fixed expression for a strong and reliable person is “ein Fels in der Brandung” (a rock in the storm). In that expression, Fels cannot be replaced by Felsen.
Fels
In dieser schweren Zeit ist meine Schwester für mich ein Fels in der Brandung.
During this difficult time, my sister is a rock in the storm for me.
Felsen
Ein hoher Felsen ragt an der Küste weit aus dem Wasser.
A tall rock formation juts far out of the water along the coast.
In real life
Loading video examples...