der Pass
Meaning and Usage
Der Pass in German refers to a passport, which is an official document issued by a government, certifying the holder's identity and citizenship and entitling them to travel under its protection to and from foreign countries. It is an essential document for international travel.
Linguistic Analysis
The word "Pass" in German is a masculine noun. It doesn't have a prefix or a suffix. It is believed to have been borrowed from Italian "passo" or French "pas," ultimately derived from the Latin "passus," meaning "step" or "pace."
Comparisons between German and English
The word "Pass" in German has a similar meaning to its English counterpart "passport."
Cultural Context
In Germany, as in many other countries, the passport holds great importance and serves not only as an identification document but also allows citizens to travel internationally.
Example Sentences
- Mein Pass ist abgelaufen. (My passport has expired.)
- Sie hat ihren Pass verloren. (She lost her passport.)
Memory Tips
Associate "Pass" with the idea of "passage" or "permission to pass through the borders of a country."
Additional Vocabulary
- das Visum (singular), die Visa (plural) - visa
- die Staatsbürgerschaft - citizenship
Gender and Plural
Gender: masculine Plural: die Pässe
Conjugation
N/A (not a verb)