die Mine
mine
An underground site or operation where natural resources such as coal or ore are extracted.
EXAMPLE
Viele Menschen arbeiteten früher in der Mine.
Many people used to work in the mine.
die Mine
mine
die Mine, die Minen
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Meanings
die Mine
mine
An explosive device hidden in the ground, in water, or underwater that can explode when touched or from a distance.
EXAMPLE
Die Soldaten entdeckten eine Mine im Boden.
The soldiers discovered a mine in the ground.
die Mine
pencil lead
The inner core made of a coloring or writing material that is inserted into a pencil, mechanical pencil, or similar writing instrument.
EXAMPLE
Für meinen Druckbleistift brauche ich eine neue Mine.
I need a new lead for my mechanical pencil.
die Mine
refill
A tube filled with ink or writing paste that is inserted into a ballpoint pen or similar writing instrument.
EXAMPLE
Die Mine meines Kugelschreibers ist leer.
The refill in my ballpoint pen is empty.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Mine, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance (die)
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Minen |
| genitive | der Mine |
The four cases (die)
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Mine | die Minen |
| accusative | die Mine | die Minen |
| dative | der Mine | den Minen |
| genitive | der Mine | der Minen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
At a glance (die)
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Minen |
| genitive | der Mine |
The four cases (die)
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Mine | die Minen |
| accusative | die Mine | die Minen |
| dative | der Mine | den Minen |
| genitive | der Mine | der Minen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Context clue
The intended meaning of „Mine“ (mine) can usually be identified from the surrounding words: with „Bergbau“ (mining), „Kohle“ (coal), or „Erz“ (ore), it refers to a place where resources are extracted; with „Explosion“ (explosion), „Gefahr“ (danger), or „entschärfen“ (to defuse), it refers to an explosive device; and with „Bleistift“ (pencil) or „Druckbleistift“ (mechanical pencil), it refers to a writing refill.
EXAMPLE
Die Mine fördert seit Jahrzehnten Kohle.
The mine has been producing coal for decades.
Die Polizei musste eine Mine im Gelände entschärfen.
The police had to defuse a mine in the area.
Die Mine meines Druckbleistifts ist abgebrochen.
The lead in my mechanical pencil broke.
Typical collocations
In the meaning of an extraction site, „Mine“ (mine) often occurs with verbs and words from the field of mining. Typical phrases include „in einer Mine arbeiten“ (to work in a mine), „Erz aus einer Mine fördern“ (to extract ore from a mine), and „eine Mine schließen“ (to close a mine).
EXAMPLE
Weil sich der Abbau nicht mehr lohnte, wurde die Mine geschlossen.
Because mining was no longer profitable, the mine was closed.
Danger context
When it refers to an explosive device, „Mine“ (mine) often occurs with verbs such as „entdecken“ (to discover), „entschärfen“ (to defuse), „räumen“ (to clear), or „auf eine Mine treten“ (to step on a mine). The context then usually relates to war, military areas, or dangerous terrain.
EXAMPLE
Wegen der alten Mine durfte niemand das Gelände betreten.
Because of the old mine, no one was allowed to enter the area.
Writing accessories
In the meaning of writing material, „Mine“ (lead/refill) often occurs with „wechseln“ (to change), „nachfüllen“ (to refill), or „einsetzen“ (to insert). In a mechanical pencil, the lead can be replaced individually.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss die Mine im Druckbleistift wechseln.
I have to change the lead in the mechanical pencil.
In real life
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