das  Date

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/deːt/

🌹 What exactly is "das Date"?

Das Date (noun, neuter) is a word borrowed from English (an Anglizismus) and primarily refers to an appointment or meeting, especially one of a romantic nature between two people who want to get to know each other or are already in a relationship.

It can also be used more generally for a private appointment (e.g., with friends), although this is less common. The focus is usually on the 'getting to know someone' or romantic aspect.

🚨 Attention: Do not confuse it with das Datum (calendar date).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "das Date" in Detail

The word "Date" is a noun of neuter gender (Neutrum). It is declined as follows:

📝 Example Sentences

• Sie hat am Freitag ein Date. (She has a date on Friday.)
• Ich bin nervös vor meinem ersten Date mit ihm. (I'm nervous about my first date with him.)
• Wir hatten viele lustige Dates, bevor wir zusammenkamen. (We had many fun dates before we got together.)
• Das war das beste Date meines Lebens! (That was the best date of my life!)

💬 How to use "das Date"?

"Das Date" is mainly used in colloquial language, especially among younger people, but is now widely understood.

• Typical Usage: Describing a meeting with a romantic background. Example: "Ich gehe heute Abend auf ein Date." ("I'm going on a date tonight.")
• Context: Informal to semi-formal. In very formal contexts, one would rather use die Verabredung (appointment/arrangement) or das Treffen (meeting).
• Alternative Words: Die Verabredung (more neutral), das Rendezvous (somewhat old-fashioned, but also romantic), das Treffen (very general).
• Special Feature: As an Anglicism, it often retains the English pronunciation.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Date"

Article Mnemonic: Think of das Treffen (the meeting) or das Rendezvous. A Date is a type of meeting, neutral in its potential outcome, hence neuter (das).

Meaning Mnemonic: A "Date" often happens on a specific Datum (das Datum - the calendar date). Although the words aren't directly related, they sound similar and both use "das". The Date takes place on a Datum.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words

• Das Datum: Calendar date (e.g., Welches Datum ist heute? - What date is it today?). Sounds similar but has a completely different meaning.
• Die Daten (Plural): Data, information (e.g., persönliche Daten - personal data).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Kalender so viele Dates? Weil er immer auf dem neuesten Stand sein will!

(Why does the calendar have so many dates? Because it always wants to be up-to-date!)

✍️ Poem about The Date

Ein Lächeln, ein Blick, die Zeit steht still,
das Date beginnt, ganz nach dem Will'.
Nervös das Herz, die Hände kühl,
ein Abend voller Gefühl. Ob Funken sprüh'n, die Chemie passt?
Das Date entscheidet, ohne Hast.

(A smile, a glance, time stands still,
the date begins, according to the will.
Nervous the heart, the hands cool,
an evening full of feeling.
Whether sparks fly, the chemistry fits?
The date decides, without haste.)

❓ Riddle

Ich bin ein Treffen, oft zu zweit,
manchmal voller Nervosität.
Romantik liegt oft in der Luft,
ich bin ein englischer Begriff mit deutschem Duft.
Mit 'das' steh ich im Wörterbuch,
was bin ich für ein netter Besuch?

(I am a meeting, often for two,
sometimes full of nervousness, it's true.
Romance is often in the air,
I'm an English term with German flair.
With 'das' I stand in the dictionary's view,
what kind of nice visit am I for you?)

Solution: das Date

💡 Other Interesting Info

Origin: The word "Date" comes directly from English (date) and was adopted into German usage during the 20th century, especially after World War II and through the influence of American culture (films, music).

Cultural Nuances: While "date" in English can also simply mean an appointment or engagement, in German (das Date) it carries a stronger connotation of a romantic meeting.