das
Adressbuch
📖 What Exactly is an Adressbuch?
Das Adressbuch (neuter, singular: das Adressbuch, plural: die Adressbücher) refers to a directory where addresses and contact details (like phone numbers, email addresses) of people or organizations are collected. Historically, this was typically a physical book, but today it's often a digital feature in email programs, smartphones, or other software.
It serves the purpose of organizing and quickly finding contact information.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Books, documents → mostly neutral.
Caution: see exceptions
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Das Adressbuch
The word "Adressbuch" is neuter. It takes the article das.
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Adressbuch |
| Genitive | des | Adressbuch(e)s |
| Dative | dem | Adressbuch |
| Accusative | das | Adressbuch |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Adressbücher |
| Genitive | der | Adressbücher |
| Dative | den | Adressbüchern |
| Accusative | die | Adressbücher |
Example Sentences
- Ich muss die neue Nummer in mein Adressbuch eintragen.
I need to enter the new number into my address book. - Findest du die Adresse in deinem digitalen Adressbuch?
Can you find the address in your digital address book? - Oma benutzt immer noch ihr altes Adressbuch aus Leder.
Grandma still uses her old leather address book. - Die Synchronisierung der Adressbücher zwischen Handy und Computer funktioniert nicht.
The synchronization of the address books between the phone and the computer isn't working.
💬 How to Use "Adressbuch"?
"Adressbuch" is used quite straightforwardly in German to refer to a collection of contact details. The context can vary:
- Personal: A small book or app for friends and family.
- Professional: A directory of business contacts, clients, or suppliers (Geschäftskontakte).
- Digital: The contact list (Kontaktliste) on a smartphone, in an email client (e.g., Outlook-Adressbuch), or on social networks.
- Physical: A traditional notebook, often with alphabetical tabs (Register).
Although "Kontaktliste" or "Kontakte" (in digital contexts) are often used synonymously, "Adressbuch" remains a common and understandable term, especially when emphasizing the original function of collecting addresses.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic
Imagine a neutral, generic item like a book sitting on a desk; books in German are often neuter ("das Buch"). Therefore, it's das Adressbuch. It's just 'that' book with addresses.
Meaning Mnemonic
An Adressbuch is simply a Buch (book or list) that holds the Adress(en) (addresses) and contact info you need.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms
- Kontaktbuch: (Contact book) - Very similar, emphasizes contacts in general.
- Telefonbuch: (Telephone book) - Primarily focuses on phone numbers, often more specific (e.g., public phone book).
- Verzeichnis: (Directory, list) - More general term for an ordered list (e.g., Mitgliederverzeichnis - membership directory).
- Kontaktliste: (Contact list) - Common, especially in digital contexts.
- Kontakte: (Contacts) - Short form, mostly digital (e.g., "Meine Kontakte" - My Contacts).
Antonyms
Direct antonyms are tricky. However, conceptual opposites could include:
- Unordnung/Chaos: (Disorder/Chaos) - The opposite of an organized list.
- Vergessen: (Forgetting) - When one has no means to store contact details.
- Anonymität: (Anonymity) - When no addresses are collected.
Potentially Confusing Words?
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat das alte Adressbuch gekündigt?
Es hatte einfach keine Kontakte mehr! 😄
---
Why did the old address book quit its job?
It just didn't have any contacts anymore! 😄
✍️ Poem about the Adressbuch
Das Buch der Namen, alt und neu,
Bewahrt die Daten, stets getreu.
Von A bis Z, wer wo residiert,
Im Adressbuch fein säuberlich notiert.
Ob digital, ob auf Papier,
Es hilft uns schnell, das finden wir.
Ein Freund, ein Arzt, ein Kontakt wichtig,
Ohne dich wär's oft nicht richtig!
---
The book of names, old and new,
Keeps the data, ever true.
From A to Z, who resides where,
In the address book noted with care.
Whether digital or on paper it lies,
It helps us quickly, a welcome surprise.
A friend, a doctor, a contact key,
Without you, things wouldn't run smoothly!
❓ Little Riddle
Ich habe viele Namen und Orte drin,
gebe aber selbst keinen Laut von mir, das ist mein Sinn.
Man schlägt mich auf, um jemanden zu finden,
analog oder digital, um sich zu verbinden.
Was bin ich?
---
I hold many names and places within,
But make no sound myself, that's how I begin.
You open me up to find someone's spot,
Analog or digital, connecting the lot.
What am I?
Answer
Das Adressbuch (The Address Book)
✨ Further Insights
Word Composition
The word "Adressbuch" is a compound noun, formed from:
- Adresse: (from French adresse) meaning 'address', the location details.
- Buch: Meaning 'book', a bound work of paper or its digital equivalent for storing information.
Digital vs. Analog
While the physical Adressbuch has declined in importance, the concept thrives in the digital age. Almost every smartphone and email program features an integrated address book function, often syncing automatically. The term "Adressbuch" is still commonly used, even when referring to software.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Adressbuch?
The German word "Adressbuch" is a neuter noun. Therefore, it always uses the article das. The plural form is "die Adressbücher".