der Quell
spring
A natural place where water emerges from the ground; a spring. The word is generally elevated or poetic.
EXAMPLE
Der Quell sprudelte klar zwischen den Felsen hervor.
The spring bubbled up clear between the rocks.
der Quell
spring / source
der Quell, die Quelle
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Meanings
der Quell
source
The origin or source of something, such as knowledge, strength, or joy. This meaning is generally used figuratively and in elevated language.
EXAMPLE
Die Musik war für sie ein unerschöpflicher Quell der Freude.
The music was an inexhaustible source of joy for her.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Quell, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Quelle |
| genitive | des Quells |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Quell | die Quelle |
| accusative | den Quell | die Quelle |
| dative | dem Quell | den Quellen |
| genitive | des Quells des Quelles | der Quelle |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word family
'Quell' belongs to the word family of 'quellen' (to emerge / to spring up). This helps you remember the basic idea: something emerges or flows out, especially water.
EXAMPLE
Der Quell trat direkt unter dem moosigen Stein hervor.
The spring emerged directly from beneath the moss-covered stone.
Elevated language
'Quell' is mainly found in poetic, literary, or solemn texts. The word is used much less often in everyday life.
EXAMPLE
In dem Gedicht wird der Quell als Zeichen des Lebens beschrieben.
In the poem, the spring is described as a symbol of life.
Typical collocations
In its concrete meaning, 'Quell' often appears with words related to nature, such as 'sprudeln' (to bubble), 'klar' (clear), 'zwischen den Felsen' (between the rocks), or 'aus dem Boden' (from the ground).
EXAMPLE
Ein kalter Quell sprudelte am Rand des Waldes aus dem Boden.
A cold spring bubbled up from the ground at the edge of the forest.
Genitive construction
In its figurative meaning, 'Quell' often appears with a genitive attribute. It then refers to the origin of something abstract, such as joy, strength, hope, or knowledge.
EXAMPLE
Für viele Menschen ist die Natur ein Quell der Kraft.
For many people, nature is a source of strength.
In real life
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