das  Etikett

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/eˈtɪkɛt/

📜 What exactly is 'das Etikett'?

The German word das Etikett has two main meanings:

1. Label or tag: A small sign, usually made of paper or plastic, containing information about a product (e.g., price, ingredients, brand). It's found on goods, bottles, clothes, etc.
2. Etiquette or protocol: The set of social rules for correct behavior in certain situations or circles. This refers to politeness and 'proper' conduct.

⚠️ Although the second meaning is often referred to as die Etikette (feminine), das Etikett can also be used in this sense, especially when talking about adhering to the rules ('das Etikett wahren' - to maintain etiquette). The Duden dictionary lists both meanings under 'das Etikett'.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Das Etikett

Das Etikett is a neuter noun. It follows the strong declension pattern.

📝 Example Sentences

• Meaning 1 (Label): Das Etikett auf der Weinflasche war abgerissen.
  (The label on the wine bottle was torn off.)
• Meaning 1 (Label): Klebst du bitte die Preisetikette auf die neuen Produkte?
  (Could you please stick the price labels on the new products?)
• Meaning 2 (Etiquette): Bei Hofe musste man stets das strenge Etikett wahren.
  (At court, one always had to maintain strict etiquette.)
• Meaning 2 (Etiquette): Er kennt sich mit den Etiketten der Diplomatie nicht aus.
  (He is not familiar with the protocols of diplomacy.)

💡 How to use 'das Etikett'?

Usage depends heavily on the meaning:

• As a label/tag: Very common in everyday life and commerce. You talk about a Preisetikett (price tag), Adressetikett (address label), Wäscheetikett (laundry label), Flaschenetikett (bottle label), etc. It refers to the physical marking of objects. The plural form die Etikette is common here.
• As etiquette: More common in formal contexts or when discussing social norms. One speaks of das Etikett wahren (to maintain etiquette) or gegen das Etikett verstoßen (to violate etiquette). In this meaning, die Etikette (feminine, no plural) is also very common and often preferred, but das Etikett is also correct. You can also jemandem ein Etikett anhängen, which means to label someone or put them in a specific box (figuratively).

Potential for confusion: Not directly confusable, but the proximity to its French origin and the feminine form die Etikette (only for etiquette) can sometimes cause uncertainty.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Etikett'

1. Article Mnemonic: Think of 'das Schild' (the sign). An Etikett is often a small sign -> neuter -> das Etikett. Or: 'Das correct behavior' helps you maintain 'das Etikett'.
2. Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine sticking an Etikett (label) on your own forehead that says 'I follow the Etikette!' This connects the sticker (the physical Etikett) with the rules of conduct (die Etikette / das Etikett).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Die Etikette: Feminine noun, refers exclusively to rules of conduct. While das Etikett can have both meanings, die Etikette is specific to behavioral rules.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Lehrer: "Wer kann mir ein Ding nennen, das klebrig ist?"
Meldet sich Fritzchen: "Das Etikett auf dem neuen Spielzeug, das man nie ganz abbekommt!"

Translation: The teacher asks: "Who can name something sticky?"
Little Fritz answers: "The label on the new toy that you can never completely remove!"

✍️ Poem about the Etikett

Ein kleines Ding, oft bunt und grell,
das Etikett, erzählt ganz schnell,
Was drin sich birgt, was es gekostet hat,
Auf Flasche, Dose oder Jackenblatt.

Doch auch im Umgang, fein und klar,
Gibt's ein Etikett, wunderbar.
Es zeigt Respekt, wie man sich gibt,
Wer's achtet, ist zumeist beliebt.

Translation:
A little thing, often bright and bold,
the label, quickly told,
What lies within, what price it bore,
On bottle, can, or jacket's score.

But also in conduct, fine and clear,
There's an etiquette, held dear.
It shows respect, one's proper way,
Who heeds it, is liked most every day.

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich klebe auf Waren, zeige den Preis,
Oder schreib' vor, wie man sich verhält, ganz leis.
Mal bin ich aus Papier, mal nur gedacht,
Hab oft französisch meinen Anfang gemacht.

Was bin ich? (Lösung/Solution: das Etikett)

Translation:
I stick to goods, show the price,
Or dictate how one behaves, quite nice(ly quiet).
Sometimes I'm paper, sometimes just thought,
My origin often from French was brought.

What am I?

ℹ️ Trivia

Word Origin (Etymology): The word Etikett comes from the French étiquette. This originally meant 'little note' or 'inscription'. At the French court under Louis XIV, small notes (étiquettes) were distributed, detailing the rules for courtly ceremony – from this, the second meaning of 'rules of conduct' developed.

Compounds: There are many compound words with 'Etikett', such as Preisetikett (price tag), Namensetikett (name tag), Weinetikett (wine label), Etikettendrucker (label printer), Etikettenschwindel (misleading labeling/false advertising).