das  Detail

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/deˈtaɪl/

🧐 What exactly is 'das Detail'?

Das Detail (noun, neuter) refers to a detail, a specific point, a particularity, or a small, often important part of a larger whole. Depending on the context, it can refer to a specific aspect, a subtlety, or even a minor point.

Examples of contexts:

• Technical drawings (die genauen Maße sind ein wichtiges Detail - the exact measurements are an important detail)
• Art descriptions (die Details im Hintergrund des Gemäldes - the details in the background of the painting)
• Narratives or reports (er erzählte die Geschichte mit allen Details - he told the story with all the details)
• Planning (wir müssen noch die letzten Details klären - we still need to clarify the final details)

The word originates from the French détail, meaning 'particularity' or originally 'cutting up, division'.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📝 Grammar under the Microscope: Das Detail

The noun 'Detail' is neuter, so it uses the article 'das'. Here’s how it declines:

Example Sentences:

1. Das kleinste Detail kann den Unterschied machen. (The smallest detail can make the difference.)
2. Der Architekt achtete auf jedes Detail des Entwurfs. (The architect paid attention to every detail of the design.)
3. Können Sie mir bitte mehr Details zu diesem Vorfall geben? (Could you please give me more details about this incident?)
4. Die Polizei untersucht die Details des Falls genau. (The police are investigating the details of the case closely.)
5. Er verlor sich oft in unwichtigen Details. (He often got lost in unimportant details.)

💡 How to Use 'das Detail'

'Das Detail' is used to refer to specific points or particulars.

• im Detail: Means 'in detail', 'thoroughly'. Example: „Lass uns das Projekt im Detail besprechen.“ (Let's discuss the project in detail.)
• ins Detail gehen: Means 'to go into detail', 'to get very specific'. Example: „Wir müssen nicht zu sehr ins Detail gehen, ein Überblick genügt.“ (We don't need to go into too much detail; an overview is sufficient.)
• Liebe zum Detail: Describes meticulousness and care in carrying out a task ('love for detail'). Example: „Ihre Arbeit zeigt große Liebe zum Detail.“ (Her work shows great attention to detail.)

It's often used in contexts where precision matters (technology, science, law) or where subtleties are described (art, literature). Sometimes, 'Detail' can also refer to something insignificant, especially if someone 'gets lost' in them (sich in Details verlieren).

⚠️ Be careful not to confuse it with similar words like 'Aspekt' (more general, 'aspect') or 'Punkt' (can also mean 'point' in the sense of an opinion or topic).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Detail'

Article Mnemonic:

Think of 'das' for objects or concepts treated neutrally or scientifically. Das Detail is often something objective you examine. Also, many loanwords ending in -il are neuter (das Ventil, das Profil - though not all!).

Meaning Mnemonic:

It's easy! 'Das Detail' looks and sounds almost exactly like the English word 'detail'. Just remember the German pronunciation (Deh-TAI or Deh-TAIL) and the 'das' article!

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Note: While similar, connotations differ. 'Feinheit' sounds more positive than 'Kleinigkeit'.

😂 A Little Joke about Details

Warum hat der Mathematiker beim Bäcker nur ein halbes Brötchen gekauft? Er wollte nicht zu sehr ins Detail gehen! 😉

(Why did the mathematician only buy half a roll at the bakery? He didn't want to go into too much detail (lit: go into the detail)!)

📜 A Poem about Details

Das große Ganze wirkt oft schön,
doch will man es wirklich versteh'n,
muss man genau hinseh'n, mit Bedacht,
hat auf das Detail wohl Acht.

Ein Pinselstrich, ein Wort, ein Ton,
es macht den Unterschied oft schon.
Die Welt ist reich, wer sucht, der find't
die Schönheit, die im Detail beginnt.

(The bigger picture often looks nice,
but if you truly want to understand,
you must look closely, with care,
pay attention to the detail there.)

(A brushstroke, a word, a tone,
it often makes the difference known.
The world is rich, who seeks will find
the beauty that in detail starts its kind.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin oft klein, doch manchmal wichtig sehr,
ignoriert man mich, fällt's oft später schwer.
In Plänen, Kunst und auch im Text,
bin ich die Feinheit, die man gern entdeckt.

Was bin ich? (Auflösung: Das Detail)

(I'm often small, but sometimes very key,
ignore me, and later trouble you might see.
In plans, in art, and in a text,
I am the fineness one gladly inspects.)

(What am I?) (Answer: Das Detail / The detail)

✨ More Interesting Facts

• Word Origin: As mentioned, 'Detail' comes from French détail. The related verb is détailler, meaning 'to list individually' or 'to cut up'.
• Compounds: The word forms part of many German compound nouns:
  • Detailaufnahme (photography/film: a close-up shot)
  • Detailfrage (a question about a specific point)
  • Detailtreue (faithfulness to detail, accuracy)
  • Detailwissen (highly specific knowledge)
  • Detailhandel (somewhat dated term for 'retail trade', now usually 'Einzelhandel')
• International Use: The word exists in similar forms in many languages (English: detail, Spanish: detalle, Italian: dettaglio).