Is it der, die, or das Zügel?

The noun (Substantiv/Nomen) Zügel is masculine in German. Therefore, the correct definite article in the nominative singular is der. So, you say: der Zügel.

der

Zügel

(reins)

Learning Rule for Zügel

Nouns ending in -en, -el, -er: About 60% of these nouns are masculine, often referring to tools, people, or natural elements

Meaning of Zügel

Ein Riemen oder eine Leine, mit der ein Reiter ein Pferd lenkt.

A strap or rein with which a rider guides a horse.

Examples of Zügel

Der Reiter zog die Zügel an, um das Pferd zu stoppen.

The rider pulled on the reins to stop the horse.

Often used together with Zügel

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Do you want to know which other rules German masculine words follow?

German grammatical gender can be tricky at first, as it doesn't always seem logical - like with the neuter 'das Mädchen' (the girl). But here's the good news: Even though you won't find a rule for every word and some things just need to be memorized, there are quite a few helpful patterns and rules! These are real guideposts and can make your life significantly easier. So it's definitely worth knowing them!

Learning Rule

Nouns ending in -ant are usually masculine. Common in words of Latin/French origin, often describing people or technical/scientific terms

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Nouns ending in -ast are usually masculine. Usually found in scientific or technical terms, often from Greek/Latin origins

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Nouns ending in -ich are usually masculine. Common Germanic suffix, often in everyday vocabulary and adjective-derived nouns

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Nouns ending in -ig are usually masculine. Germanic suffix forming nouns from adjectives or verbs, often describing containers or enclosed spaces

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Nouns ending in -ling are usually masculine. Forms nouns describing people or things with certain characteristics, often with diminutive or derogatory meaning

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Nouns ending in -or are usually masculine. Latin origin, typically describing machines, devices, or professional roles

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Nouns ending in -us are usually masculine. Latin/Greek origin, common in scientific, academic, and cultural terms

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Strong Verb Nouns: Derived from strong verbs, describing the action itself or its result are usually masculine. Very reliable rule in German

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Animals: Male animals are typically masculine in German

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Cars: Car brands and models are generally masculine in German

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Currency: Most currency names are masculine, except for a few notable exceptions

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Days, Months, and Seasons: These temporal nouns are consistently masculine

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Directions: Cardinal directions are masculine in German

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Drinks: Many alcoholic beverages are masculine, with some exceptions

Exceptions:

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Male Persons: Nouns referring to male individuals are masculine

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Mountains and Mountain Ranges: Most mountain names are masculine, except for specific ranges

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Non-German Rivers: Rivers outside German-speaking countries are typically masculine

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Outer Space: Celestial bodies and planets (except Earth, Venus, and Sun) are masculine

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Rocks and Minerals: Many rock and mineral names are masculine, with some exceptions

Examples:

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Weather: Weather phenomena are often masculine

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Nouns ending in -fall are usually masculine. Typically describing events or occurrences

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Nouns ending in -gang are usually masculine. Typically describing paths or processes

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Nouns ending in -mut are usually masculine. Typically describing states or qualities

Examples:

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Nouns ending in -weg are usually masculine. Typically describing routes or methods