das  Körbchen

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈkœʁpçən/

🧺 What Exactly is a Körbchen?

Das Körbchen is the diminutive form of the German word der Korb (the basket). It means a small basket or little basket.

It essentially has only this one main meaning, and therefore, the article is always das.

• Little Basket: A small container, usually woven from materials like willow, rattan, plastic, or others, used for carrying or storing small quantities or items (e.g., Brotkörbchen - bread basket, Nähkörbchen - sewing basket, Osterkörbchen - Easter basket).

⚠️ Attention: The idiom "jemandem einen Korb geben" (to reject someone, often romantically) refers to der Korb, not typically das Körbchen.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: Das Körbchen in Detail

The word "Körbchen" is a neuter noun. The article is always das. This follows the grammatical rule that diminutive forms ending in "-chen" (and "-lein") in German are neuter nouns.

Declension

Note: The plural form is identical across all cases except the Dative, which typically adds an -n for plural nouns, but not here as the Nominative plural already ends in -n (implicitly).

Example Sentences

• Das Kind sammelte bunte Eier in seinem Körbchen. (The child collected colorful eggs in its little basket.)
• Stell bitte das Körbchen mit dem Brot auf den Tisch. (Please put the little basket with the bread on the table.)
• Im Nähkörbchen meiner Oma finden sich Nadel und Faden. (In my grandma's sewing basket, you can find needle and thread.)
• Sie kaufte ein kleines Körbchen für Erdbeeren auf dem Markt. (She bought a small basket for strawberries at the market.)

💡 How to Use 'das Körbchen'

"Das Körbchen" is primarily used literally for small baskets.

• Everyday Life: Often used for Brotkörbchen (bread baskets) at breakfast/dinner, Nähkörbchen (sewing baskets) for storing sewing supplies, small shopping baskets, or gift baskets.
• Festivals & Traditions: The Osterkörbchen (Easter basket), where the Easter Bunny hides eggs and sweets, is particularly well-known.
• Pet Keeping: Small dogs or cats sometimes sleep in a Körbchen (although Korb is also commonly used here).
• Style: It often sounds cuter or smaller than "der Korb".

Compared to der Korb, which is larger and more general, das Körbchen emphasizes the small size or is used to describe something as cute or delicate.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic

Think 'diminutive' means 'neutral' in German gender! Words ending in -chen (like Mädchen, little girl) or -lein are almost always das. So, a little Korb becomes das Körbchen.

Meaning Mnemonic

Imagine a big Korb (basket). Now shrink it down, make it cute and small – add the "-chen" sound to make it Körbchen, the little basket.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat das Körbchen geweint?
Weil es sich so leer gefühlt hat!

(Why did the little basket cry?
Because it felt so empty!)

📜 A Poem

Ein Körbchen klein, so fein geflochten,
hat man für Obst und Brot erdacht oft.
Zu Ostern bunt, mit Gras und Ei,
macht Kinder froh, ist mit dabei.

(A little basket, finely woven,
Often conceived for fruit and bread.
At Easter colorful, with grass and egg,
Makes children happy, it's joining in.)

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich bin klein und oft rund,
trage Brot zu mancher Stund'.
Zu Ostern bin ich sehr begehrt,
mit Eiern bunt und süßem Wert.

Was bin ich?

(I am small and often round,
I carry bread at certain hours found.
At Easter, I am highly sought,
With colorful eggs and sweet value fraught.

What am I?)
(Solution: das Körbchen / the little basket)

✨ Other Information

Word Composition

The word "Körbchen" is a diminutive. It consists of:

• The root word: Korb (masculine, der Korb - basket)
• The diminutive suffix: -chen (this suffix makes nouns neuter and often causes an umlaut of the stem vowel, o -> ö)

Cultural Significance

The Körbchen has cultural significance in German-speaking countries, particularly in the context of Easter (Osterkörbchen) and traditional meals (Brotkörbchen).