das  Display

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈdɪspleɪ̯/

💡 What exactly is a Display?

The word das Display is a loanword from English (to display) and is used in German as a noun with the article das (neuter). It generally refers to a display surface, especially on electronic devices.

• Bildschirm (Screen): The most common meaning. It refers to the screen of computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, TVs, or other devices that show visual information (e.g., das Computer-Display, das Handy-Display).
• Anzeigeelement (Indicator element): It can also refer to smaller display elements, e.g., on household appliances, watches, or measuring instruments (e.g., das Display der Mikrowelle - the microwave's display).
• Auslage/Präsentation (Exhibition/Presentation - rarer): Sometimes, in the context of advertising or marketing, it's used for a physical display stand or presentation area (e.g., ein Werbe-Display im Supermarkt - an advertising display in the supermarket). However, this meaning is less common than 'screen'.

🚨 Attention: In German, it's always das Display, not der or die Display.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: das Display

The noun „Display“ is neuter. Here is its declension:

💬 Example Sentences

1. Das Display meines Handys ist gesprungen.
   (The display of my mobile phone is cracked.)
2. Auf dem Display der Kamera werden die Einstellungen angezeigt.
   (The settings are shown on the camera's display.)
3. Der Monitor hat ein hochauflösendes Display.
   (The monitor has a high-resolution display.)
4. Die Firma präsentierte ihre Produkte auf mehreren großen Displays.
   (The company presented its products on several large displays.)

🖥️ How "das Display" is Used

The term das Display is firmly established in German usage, especially in the technical field.

• Kontext (Context): Mostly used in connection with electronic devices like Computer (computers), Smartphones, Fernseher (TVs), Kameras (cameras), but also household appliances (Waschmaschine - washing machine, Backofen - oven) or in vehicles (Navigationssystem - navigation system, Armaturenbrett - dashboard).
• Alternative Begriffe (Alternative Terms): Often used synonymously with Bildschirm or Monitor. „Bildschirm“ is the more general German term, while „Monitor“ specifically refers to a computer screen. „Anzeige“ is also possible, but often more technical or general (e.g., also a newspaper ad - Zeitungsanzeige).
• Werbung/Marketing (Advertising/Marketing): The meaning 'exhibition stand' is rarer and more common in marketing or retail jargon (e.g., Thekendisplay - counter display, Bodendisplay - floor display).

In everyday life, „das Display“ almost always refers to an electronic screen.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Display"

For the article: Think of das Gerät (the device). Many technical devices in German are neuter ("das Telefon", "das Tablet", "das Radio"). So is das Display, which is part of many devices.

For the meaning: Display sounds like 'this play'. Imagine watching a play (or playing a game) on a screen (Display).

↔️ Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Potential for Confusion:

• Darstellung: Refers to WHAT is being displayed, not the device itself.
• Projektion: An image projected onto a surface, not a display in the narrow sense.

😂 A Little Joke

Der Chef fragt seinen neuen Mitarbeiter: „Können Sie gut mit Displays umgehen?“
Sagt der Mitarbeiter: „Klar, ich wische jeden Morgen drüber!“

Translation:

The boss asks his new employee: "Are you good with displays?"
The employee replies: "Sure, I wipe them clean every morning!"

✍️ A Poem about the Display

Das Display, hell und klar,
zeigt dir alles, wunderbar.
Ob Zahlen, Text, ob Bild, ob Spiel,
von Informationen ganz schön viel.
Ein Fingertipp, ein sanfter Wisch,
so bleibt die digitale Welt stets frisch.
Doch fällt es runter, oh welch Graus,
dann ist's mit der Anzeige aus.

Translation:

The display, bright and clear,
shows you everything, wonderfully near.
Be it numbers, text, image, or game,
so much information, all the same.
A fingertip, a gentle swipe,
keeps the digital world always ripe.
But if it falls, oh what a dread,
then the display is simply dead.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich habe keine Stimme, doch zeige dir die Welt.
Ich leuchte hell im Dunkeln, wenn dir mein Bild gefällt.
Ich bin Teil deines Handys, deines Laptops, deiner Uhr.
Was bin ich nur?

Translation:

I have no voice, yet I show you the world.
I shine bright in the dark, if you like the picture unfurled.
I am part of your phone, your laptop, your watch's contour.
What am I?

Solution: Das Display

🌐 Further Information

• Herkunft (Origin): The word comes directly from the English verb "to display" or the noun "display". It is one of many Anglicisms in the technical field in German.
• Technologie (Technology): Behind the term „Display“ are various technologies such as LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), LED (Light Emitting Diode), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode), Plasma, etc.
• Zusammensetzungen (Compounds): The word is often part of compound nouns, e.g., Touch-Display (touch screen), Retina-Display, Head-up-Display (HUD), Farbdisplay (color display), Displayanzeige (display indication).