das
Gepäck
🎒 What does "das Gepäck" mean?
Das Gepäck (noun, neuter) refers to the entirety of suitcases, bags, backpacks, and other containers a person carries on a journey. It's a collective noun (Sammelbegriff) and is almost exclusively used in the singular.
It includes everything packed for a trip, from clothes to personal items.
- Example: "Bitte achten Sie auf Ihr Gepäck." (Please watch your luggage.)
⚠️ Important: Although it refers to multiple items (suitcases, bags, etc.), 'Gepäck' is grammatically singular.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Ge- → mostly neutral.
Nouns beginning with Ge- are usually neutral, unless other rules apply. We do not list all Ge nouns.
Ge- → mostly neutral.
Nouns beginning with Ge- are usually neutral, unless other rules apply. We do not list all Ge nouns.
🧐 Grammar of "das Gepäck" in Detail
'Gepäck' is a neuter noun and takes the article 'das'. It's a collective noun and generally doesn't have a plural form. Only in very specific, rare contexts might one speak of 'Gepäcke' (e.g., different types of special luggage), but this is uncommon.
Declension (Singular)
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | das | Gepäck |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des | Gepäcks / Gepäckes |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem | Gepäck |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | das | Gepäck |
Example Sentences
- Nominative: Das Gepäck steht bereit. (The luggage is ready.)
- Genitive: Der Inhalt des Gepäcks wurde kontrolliert. (The contents of the luggage were checked.)
- Dative: Wir helfen Ihnen mit dem Gepäck. (We will help you with the luggage.)
- Accusative: Sie hat das Gepäck aufgegeben. (She checked in the luggage.)
✈️ Everyday Usage: When to use "Gepäck"?
'Gepäck' is primarily used in the context of travel, whether by plane, train, car, or ship.
- At the airport/train station: "Wo ist die Gepäckausgabe?" (Where is the baggage claim?), "Das Handgepäck darf nicht zu groß sein." (The carry-on luggage must not be too large.)
- In the hotel: "Können Sie bitte das Gepäck auf mein Zimmer bringen?" (Could you please bring the luggage to my room?)
- General travel: "Ich reise gerne mit leichtem Gepäck." (I like to travel with light luggage.)
Difference from Koffer/Tasche: While 'der Koffer' (suitcase) or 'die Tasche' (bag) refer to specific containers, 'das Gepäck' is the general term for all travel containers carried together.
For example, you would say: "Mein Gepäck besteht aus einem Koffer und einem Rucksack." (My luggage consists of a suitcase and a backpack.)
🚨 Avoid using the plural 'die Gepäcke', as it's usually incorrect. Instead, talk about 'Gepäckstücke' (pieces of luggage).
💡 Mnemonics for "das Gepäck"
-
For the article 'das':
Imagine packing your luggage into 'das' Auto (the car) or 'das' Flugzeug (the airplane). Many modes of transport are neuter - and 'das Gepäck' goes with them. Also, the prefix 'Ge-' often indicates a collective noun, which are frequently neuter in German (like das Gemüse - vegetables, das Gebirge - mountains).
-
For the meaning 'Luggage/Baggage':
'Gepäck' sounds a bit like 'get packed'. What did you 'get packed'? Your 'Gepäck'!
🔄 Synonyms, Antonyms & Similar Words
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Reisegepäck: Emphasizes the travel purpose more strongly.
- Koffer (Plural): Refers to the whole lot, but specifically suitcases.
- Taschen (Plural): Refers to the whole lot, but specifically bags.
- Bagage (dated/formal): An older word for luggage.
Similar but different words:
😂 A Little Joke
German:
Fragt der Zollbeamte: "Haben Sie etwas zu verzollen?"
Der Reisende: "Nein, nur mein Gepäck."
Zollbeamte: "Und was ist in Ihrem Gepäck?"
Reisende: "Kleidung, Toilettenartikel und eine riesige Menge Geduld für diese Kontrolle!"
English Translation:
The customs officer asks: "Anything to declare?"
The traveler: "No, just my luggage."
Customs officer: "And what's in your luggage?"
Traveler: "Clothes, toiletries, and a huge amount of patience for this inspection!"
📜 Poem about Luggage
German:
Das Gepäck, es steht bereit,
für die Reise, fern und weit.
Koffer, Tasche, Rucksack schwer,
alles muss jetzt mit hierher.
Ob im Zug, im Flugzeug, Bus,
man es immer schleppen muss.
Doch enthält's, was man so braucht,
hat man's gut vorher durchdacht.
English Translation:
The luggage, it stands ready,
For the journey, far and steady.
Suitcase, bag, backpack heavy,
Everything must come now, savvy.
Be it train, or plane, or bus,
One must always lug it thus.
But it holds what one may need,
If well thought out before, indeed.
❓ Riddle Time
German:
Ich habe Griffe, manchmal Rollen,
wer auf Reisen geht, wird mich holen.
Ich trage Kleider, Schuh' und mehr,
doch bin ich selbst oft ziemlich schwer.
Mal bin ich Koffer, mal ein Sack,
was bin ich wohl? Na klar, ...
(Lösung: das Gepäck)
English Translation:
I have handles, sometimes wheels,
Those who travel fetch me, it feels.
I carry clothes, shoes, and more,
But I myself am often quite a chore (heavy).
Sometimes a suitcase, sometimes a sack,
What am I? Of course, ...
(Answer: das Gepäck / the luggage)
📌 Other Information
Word Formation (Wortbildung):
The word 'Gepäck' is a collective noun formed with the prefix 'Ge-' and the stem of the verb 'packen' (to pack). The prefix 'Ge-' is often used in German to form collective nouns (e.g., das Gebirge - mountains, das Geflügel - poultry, das Gemüse - vegetables). It indicates a collection or totality – in this case, the totality of packed items.
Handgepäck vs. Aufgabegepäck:
- Handgepäck: Carry-on luggage; baggage taken into the cabin of a plane or train.
- Aufgabegepäck: Checked luggage; baggage handed over at the counter to be transported in the cargo hold.
Summary: is it der, die or das Gepäck?
The correct form is always "das Gepäck". It's a neuter noun and a collective term for suitcases, bags, etc., usually used in the singular.