das Samenkorn
seed
A single, usually small and roundish seed of a plant from which a new plant can grow.
EXAMPLE
Sie legte ein Samenkorn in die Erde und goss es vorsichtig.
She placed a seed in the soil and watered it carefully.
das Samenkorn
seed
das Samenkorn, die Samenkörner
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Meanings
Forms
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Samenkörner |
| genitive | des Samenkornes |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Samenkorn | die Samenkörner |
| accusative | das Samenkorn | die Samenkörner |
| dative | dem Samenkorn | den Samenkörnern |
| genitive | des Samenkornes des Samenkorns | der Samenkörner |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Samenkorn' (seed) consists of 'Samen' (seed) and 'Korn' (grain). The component 'Korn' (grain) helps you picture a single small piece.
EXAMPLE
Auf ihrer Handfläche lag nur ein einziges Samenkorn.
There was just a single seed lying in her palm.
Typical collocations
Typical collocations are 'ein Samenkorn säen' (to sow a seed), 'ein Samenkorn zum Keimen bringen' (to make a seed germinate), and 'ein Samenkorn keimt' (a seed germinates). With 'zum Keimen bringen' (to make germinate), you describe enabling the development through suitable conditions.
EXAMPLE
Mit Wärme und ausreichend Feuchtigkeit kannst du das Samenkorn zum Keimen bringen.
With warmth and sufficient moisture, you can make the seed germinate.
Describing growth
To describe the development of a plant, the pattern 'aus einem Samenkorn wachsen' (to grow from a seed) is useful. After 'aus' (from), the dative is used; the emerging plant is the subject of 'wachsen' (to grow).
EXAMPLE
Aus einem winzigen Samenkorn ist eine große Sonnenblume gewachsen.
A large sunflower grew from a tiny seed.
In real life
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