das  Futter

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈfʊtɐ/

🐾 What exactly is "das Futter"? 🧥

The German word das Futter primarily has two meanings:

1. Animal feed/food: This is the most common meaning. It refers to food specifically intended for animals. Beispiel: das Hundefutter (dog food), das Vogelfutter (bird seed). 🐎🐈🦜
2. Lining/Inner material: It can also refer to the material that covers the inside of clothing, bags, containers, or similar items. This lining often provides comfort, warmth, or protects the outer material. Beispiel: das Futter eines Mantels (the lining of a coat), das Futter einer Tasche (the lining of a bag). 🧵🧥👜

🚨 Important: Although it sounds similar, das Futter is not the same as die Nahrung or das Essen for humans. Only use "Futter" for animals or as a term for a lining.

The Grammar of "das Futter" in Detail

"Futter" is a neuter noun (Substantiv) and therefore uses the article das. It belongs to the nouns whose plural form often remains unchanged or adds an umlaut, depending on meaning or regional variations, but the most common plural is "die Futter".

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

The plural is usually "die Futter", less commonly also "die Fütter" (especially regionally or for different types of feed). The genitive plural is "der Futter".

Example Sentences

1. Meaning Animal Feed:
   • Der Bauer gibt den Kühen frisches Futter. (The farmer gives the cows fresh feed.)
   • Hast du daran gedacht, das Futter für die Katze zu kaufen? (Did you remember to buy the food for the cat?)
   • Die Qualität des Futters ist entscheidend für die Gesundheit der Tiere. (The quality of the feed is crucial for the animals' health.)
2. Meaning Lining:
   • Der Mantel hat ein warmes Futter aus Wolle. (The coat has a warm lining made of wool.)
   • Das Futter der Jacke ist gerissen und muss genäht werden. (The jacket's lining is torn and needs to be sewn.)
   • Sie wählte ein Seidenfutter für ihr neues Kleid. (She chose a silk lining for her new dress. - Often used in compounds here: Seidenfutter)

How "das Futter" is Used 🗣️

The usage of das Futter clearly depends on the meaning:

• Animal feed: Here, the context is always animals and their nutrition. One speaks of Hundefutter (dog food), Katzenfutter (cat food), Pferdefutter (horse feed), Vogelfutter (bird seed), etc. It can be dry (Trockenfutter) or wet (Nassfutter). In agriculture, people often talk about Raufutter (roughage, e.g., hay) or Kraftfutter (concentrated feed).
• Lining: This usage is found in the textile industry, tailoring, bag making, or even in technical areas (e.g., das Futter einer Bremse - the lining of a brake). It describes the inner material. Often, the type of lining is specified: Seidenfutter (silk lining), Baumwollfutter (cotton lining), Innenfutter (inner lining), Winterfutter (winter lining).

Differentiation:

• Nahrung/Essen: As mentioned, these terms refer to human food. It would be incorrect to say: "Ich brauche Futter." (Unless meant very colloquially or jokingly).
• Stoff/Material: While Futter (lining) is a type of material, "Stoff" or "Material" generally refer to textiles or substances, not specifically the inner lining.

💡 Colloquially: Sometimes "Futter" is used metaphorically, e.g., "Stoff zum Nachdenken" or "Denkfutter" (food for thought - something that stimulates thinking), or disparagingly for low-quality food.

Never Forget: Mnemonics for "das Futter"

Mnemonic for the Article (das):

Remember that animals are often seen as neuter groups, or they need things that are neuter. "Das Tier (the animal - neuter) braucht das Futter." Or think of material: "Das Material (the material - neuter) für das Futter (der Jacke - of the jacket)." The neuter gender fits well with these rather general or material concepts.

Mnemonic for the Meanings:

"Futter" starts with F:

• F is for Feed (for animals)
• F is for Fabric (lining)

Imagine you are feeding (füttern) your pet 🐾 and then putting on a jacket that is lined (gefüttert) with soft fabric inside 🧥.

Similar and Opposite Words 🔄

⚠️ Potential for Confusion:

• Nahrung / Essen: As mentioned, used for humans.
• Stoff: Generally means fabric, material, or substance, not specifically lining.
• Fütterung: The act of feeding, not the feed itself (e.g., die Fütterungszeit - the feeding time).

A Little Joke 😄

Fragt der Bauer seinen neuen Knecht: "Hast du die Pferde schon gefüttert?"
Sagt der Knecht: "Nein, wozu? Die sind doch noch gar nicht leer!"

Translation:
The farmer asks his new farmhand: "Have you fed the horses yet?"
The farmhand replies: "No, why? They aren't empty yet!"

A Poem About "das Futter" 📜

Das Futter, still und warm und weich,
im Mantel, einer Festung gleich.
Es schützt vor Kälte, Wind und Nass,
auf dieses Innenleben ist Verlass.

Das Futter, Korn und Heu im Trog,
das Tier es frisst, wird stark und klug.
Es gibt die Kraft für jeden Tag,
ob Hund, ob Katz, ob Pferd, das mag!

Translation:
The lining, quiet, warm, and soft,
In the coat, like a fortress aloft.
It shields from cold, from wind, from wet,
On this inner life, you can bet.

The feed, grain and hay in the trough,
The animal eats, gets strong and tough.
It gives the strength for every day,
Whether dog, or cat, or horse, hooray!

Can You Solve This Riddle? 🤔

Ich bin innen, selten außen,
halte warm in Winterpausen.
Ich sättige auch manchen Bauch,
von Tier und Vieh, das ist mein Brauch.

Mal bin ich Stoff, mal bin ich Korn,
wer kennt mich nicht, von hinten und vorn?

Translation:
I am inside, rarely outside,
Keep warm during winter's ride.
I also fill many a belly,
Of animals and livestock, that's my telly (my custom).

Sometimes I'm fabric, sometimes I'm grain,
Who doesn't know me, again and again?

Solution: Das Futter (feed/lining)

More Interesting Facts 🤓

Word Compounds (Komposita): "Futter" is a very productive base word for compounds, especially regarding animal feed:

• Tierfutter (animal feed), Hundefutter (dog food), Katzenfutter (cat food), Pferdefutter (horse feed), Fischfutter (fish food), Vogelfutter (bird seed), Kaninchenfutter (rabbit food)...
• Trockenfutter (dry food), Nassfutter (wet food), Dosenfutter (canned food), Kraftfutter (concentrated feed), Raufutter (roughage), Grünfutter (green fodder)...
• Futterneid (feed envy - envy of others' food)
• Futtertrog (feeding trough), Futternapf (food bowl), Futterautomat (automatic feeder)

...and regarding lining:

• Innenfutter (inner lining), Seidenfutter (silk lining), Baumwollfutter (cotton lining), Winterfutter (winter lining), Taschenfutter (bag lining)...
• Futterstoff (lining fabric)

Etymology: The word "Futter" comes from the Old High German "fuotar" and is related to the English word "fodder" (also animal feed, especially roughage). The meaning "lining" developed later, possibly from the idea of something that "fills" or "nourishes" something else.