das
Double
🎬 What exactly is a Double?
The word das Double (pronounced like in English) is a loanword from English and primarily has two meanings in German:
- Person (Stunt double/Lookalike): A person who stands in for another person (often an actor or celebrity) in specific scenes (e.g., dangerous stunts) or situations because they look similar or possess special skills. Synonyms often include Stuntman/Stuntfrau or Doppelgänger.
- Copy/Duplicate (less common): In some contexts, especially in sports (like darts) or figurative senses, it can also refer to a doubling or a second instance/item. Achieving a specific goal for the second time (e.g., winning the championship and the cup).
⚠️ It is always used with the neuter article das.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Many foreign words → mostly neutral.
There are many foreign words, we won't list them all.
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Das Double
The noun "Double" is neuter (*sächlich*) and is usually declined weakly (with an -s in the plural).
| Case | Article | Noun | (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Double | (the double) |
| Genitive | des | Doubles | (of the double) |
| Dative | dem | Double | (to/for the double) |
| Accusative | das | Double | (the double) |
| Case | Article | Noun | (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Doubles | (the doubles) |
| Genitive | der | Doubles | (of the doubles) |
| Dative | den | Doubles | (to/for the doubles) |
| Accusative | die | Doubles | (the doubles) |
💡 Example Sentences
- Für die gefährliche Actionszene sprang das Double des Schauspielers vom Dach.
(For the dangerous action scene, the actor's double jumped from the roof.) - Der Fußballverein feierte das Double aus Meisterschaft und Pokalsieg.
(The football club celebrated the double of winning the championship and the cup.) - Man suchte nach einem Double für die Hauptdarstellerin.
(They were looking for a double for the main actress.) - Die Stunts wurden von mehreren Doubles ausgeführt.
(The stunts were performed by several doubles.)
How is "das Double" used?
"Das Double" is primarily used in specific contexts:
- Film and Television: Very common for stunt doubles or body doubles who replace actors in certain scenes.
- Sports: Often refers to winning two major titles in one season (e.g., *Meisterschaft* and *Pokal* - championship and cup). Also used in darts for hitting a double field to finish a leg.
- Everyday language (less common): Sometimes used ironically or colloquially for a *Doppelgänger* (lookalike) or a very similar person.
It is clearly recognizable as an English loanword and is pronounced accordingly. Unlike some other loanwords, it has firmly established itself with the article das.
🧠 Mnemonics for "das Double"
Article Mnemonic: Think of das Stuntdouble. Or remember that many English loanwords ending in '-le' are neuter (*das Puzzle*, *das Debakel* – but beware, not always!). Imagine das Double is the neutral, inconspicuous lookalike.
Meaning Mnemonic: A Double does something twice or represents a second person – either doing a dangerous scene instead of the star or winning two titles.
👥 Similar and Opposite Words
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Doppelgänger/in: (Lookalike) - A person who looks very similar to another (more general).
- Stuntman/Stuntfrau: (Stuntman/Stuntwoman) - Specifically for dangerous scenes in films.
- Stellvertreter/in: (Substitute/Representative) - A person who represents someone (broader meaning).
- Kopie/Duplikat: (Copy/Duplicate) - A second copy (more for things).
- Ebenbild: (Spitting image/Exact likeness) - A very similar person or thing.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Original: (Original) - The original item or the person themselves.
- Einzelstück/Unikat: (Unique piece/One-of-a-kind) - Something unique, not a copy.
- Protagonist/Hauptdarsteller: (Protagonist/Main actor) - The person being doubled (in film context).
🚨 Watch out for confusion: Don't confuse it with the verb "doubeln" (outdated term for dubbing films) or the adjective "doppelt" (double).
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Regisseur das Stuntdouble: "Sind Sie bereit für den Sprung aus dem 10. Stock?"
Antwortet das Double: "Für das Geld? Ich springe sogar aus dem 11.!"
Regisseur: "Nein, nein, im Drehbuch steht ganz klar 10. Stock!"
English Translation:
The director asks the stunt double: "Are you ready for the jump from the 10th floor?"
The double replies: "For this money? I'd even jump from the 11th!"
Director: "No, no, the script clearly says 10th floor!"
📜 Poem about the Double
Im Schatten steht's, bereit zum Sprung,
Dem Star so ähnlich, frisch und jung.
Das Double wagt, was der Held nicht kann,
Ein stiller Held im Action-Wahn.
Ob Sturz, ob Fall, ob Feuersbrunst,
Es meistert stumm die gefährliche Kunst.
English Translation:
It stands in shadow, ready for the leap,
So like the star, secrets to keep.
The Double dares what the hero cannot,
A silent hero in the action plot.
Whether fall, or plunge, or fiery test,
It masters mutely the dangerous quest.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich sehe aus wie er, doch bin's nicht ganz,
Spring' in die Tiefe, tanz' den wilden Tanz.
Im Film ersetz' ich oft den großen Star,
Bin unsichtbar und doch so nah.
Wer bin ich?
English Translation:
I look like him, but I'm not quite,
I jump into the depths, dance the wild flight.
In films, I often replace the big star,
I'm invisible, yet never far.
Who am I?
Solution: das Double
🌐 Other Information
Origin: The word "Double" comes directly from English, where it means "double" or "Doppelgänger".
Pronunciation: The pronunciation follows the English model: [ˈdabl̩].
Frequency of Use: It's a rather specific word, but quite common in the contexts mentioned (film, sports).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Double?
The correct form is always das Double. It usually refers to a person who stands in for someone (often an actor) or, in sports, winning two titles.