der Samen
seed
The part of a plant from which a new plant can grow. Seeds are often sown to grow crops or flowers.
EXAMPLE
Der Samen dieser Blume keimt schon nach wenigen Tagen.
The seed of this flower germinates after just a few days.
der Samen
seed / semen
der Samen, die Samen
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Meanings
der Samen
semen
The male reproductive fluid that contains sperm cells and plays a role in reproduction. This meaning is mainly used in technical or formal contexts.
EXAMPLE
Der Samen wird im Labor auf seine Qualität untersucht.
The semen is tested for quality in the laboratory.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Samen, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Samen |
| genitive | des Samens |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Samen | die Samen |
| accusative | den Samen | die Samen |
| dative | dem Samen | den Samen |
| genitive | des Samens | der Samen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Context clues
Clue words such as 'keimen' (to germinate), 'aussäen' (to sow), 'Erde' (soil), or 'Pflanze' (plant) usually indicate the botanical meaning. Words such as 'Labor' (laboratory), 'Untersuchung' (examination), 'Samenzellen' (sperm cells), or 'Fortpflanzung' (reproduction) usually point to the technical meaning.
EXAMPLE
Die Gärtnerin streut den Samen auf die lockere Erde.
The gardener scatters the seeds onto the loose soil.
Eine Fachärztin bestimmte die Anzahl der Samenzellen im Samen.
A specialist determined the number of sperm cells in the semen.
Typical collocations
In its botanical meaning, 'Samen' (seed) is frequently used with verbs such as 'aussäen' (to sow), 'sammeln' (to collect), and 'keimen' (to germinate). Related compounds such as 'Samenkorn' (individual seed) and 'Samenkapsel' (seed capsule) are also common.
EXAMPLE
Im Herbst sammeln wir Samen für den Garten.
In the fall, we collect seeds for the garden.
Die Kinder säten den Samen in kleine Töpfe aus.
The children sowed the seeds in small pots.
Technical usage
The reproductive meaning occurs particularly in medical, biological, and laboratory texts. In these contexts, 'Samen' (semen) is often associated with examinations, samples, or the quality of the material.
EXAMPLE
Die Klinik untersuchte den Samen im Rahmen einer Fruchtbarkeitsdiagnostik.
The clinic examined the semen as part of a fertility assessment.
In real life
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