noun
hammer
B1
Hammer: a tool for pounding nails and breaking objects (hammer). German noun: der Hammer. Plural Hämmer (umlaut + -er), genitive des Hammers. Regular singular declension but plural shows an umlaut; common literal and figurative uses exist (e.g. „ein Hammer“ meaning 'great').
Examples
Ich brauche einen Hammer, um den Nagel einzuschlagen.
I need a hammer to drive in the nail.
Mit dem Hammer schlug er den Nagel in die Wand.
With the hammer he drove the nail into the wall.
Der Tischler nahm den Hammer, weil er das wackelige Regal schnell befestigen musste.
The carpenter took the hammer because he had to fix the wobbly shelf quickly.
Details
Mnemonics
imagine a heavy hammer striking a nail
same as English 'hammer' — easy to remember
der — think 'der Mann' (masculine); picture a male construction worker holding a hammer
Notes
Plural with umlaut: Hämmer. Common tool found in households and on construction sites.