der Wassermann
Aquarius
The eleventh sign of the zodiac in astrology, for people born between January 21 and February 19.
EXAMPLE
Ihr Sternzeichen ist Wassermann.
Her zodiac sign is Aquarius.
der Wassermann
Aquarius / water spirit
der Wassermann, die Wassermänner
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Meanings
der Wassermann
Aquarius
A person born under the zodiac sign Aquarius.
EXAMPLE
Als Wassermann gilt er als besonders erfinderisch und unabhängig.
As an Aquarius, he is considered especially inventive and independent.
der Wassermann
water spirit
A male water spirit or mythical figure that lives in bodies of water. The male counterpart to a water nymph.
EXAMPLE
In alten Märchen zieht der Wassermann unvorsichtige Kinder in den Teich.
In old fairy tales, the water spirit pulls careless children into the pond.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Wassermann, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Wassermänner |
| genitive | des Wassermanns |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Wassermann | die Wassermänner |
| accusative | den Wassermann | die Wassermänner |
| dative | dem Wassermann | den Wassermännern |
| genitive | des Wassermanns des Wassermannes | der Wassermänner |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Compound word
The word is made up of 'Wasser' (water) and 'Mann' (man). This refers directly to the mythical figure that lives in the water.
EXAMPLE
Die Legende vom Wassermann wird in diesem Dorf noch oft erzählt.
The legend of the water spirit is still often told in this village.
Use for people
When 'Wassermann' (Aquarius) refers to a person with this zodiac sign, the word is used for both men and women.
EXAMPLE
Mein Bruder ist Wassermann, aber meine Schwester ist auch Wassermann.
My brother is an Aquarius, but my sister is also an Aquarius.
Context clue: sign vs. person
To make clear that you mean the zodiac sign, people often say 'im Sternzeichen Wassermann geboren sein' (to be born under the sign of Aquarius). If you say 'jemand ist Wassermann' (someone is Aquarius), you usually mean the person.
EXAMPLE
Mein Sohn ist im Sternzeichen Wassermann geboren.
My son was born under the sign of Aquarius.
Mein Sohn ist Wassermann und sehr kreativ.
My son is an Aquarius and very creative.
Context clue: mythology
The meaning as a water spirit is limited to a specific context: you find it almost only in fairy tales, legends, and old stories.
EXAMPLE
Die Großmutter las eine Geschichte über einen Wassermann vor, der in einem tiefen See wohnte.
The grandmother read aloud a story about a water spirit who lived in a deep lake.
In real life
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