das  Label

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈleɪ̯bəl/

🏷️ What exactly is 'das Label'?

The word Label is a loanword from English used as a noun in German. It always takes the neuter article: das Label. It has several meanings:

• Etikett, Aufkleber, Schildchen (Tag, sticker, label): The physical tag on a product containing information (e.g., price, brand, care instructions). Example: Das Preisschild war noch auf dem Label. (The price tag was still on the label.)
• Marke (Brand, especially in music and fashion): A company or brand that releases products (often records or clothing) under a specific name. Example: Die Band ist bei einem bekannten Musik-Label unter Vertrag. (The band is signed to a well-known music label.)
• Kennzeichnung, Gütesiegel (Marking, seal of quality): A designation indicating a specific quality, origin, or characteristic. Example: Dieses Produkt trägt das Bio-Label. (This product carries the organic label.)

⚠️ Although it originates from English, it is declined according to German grammar rules.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'das Label' in Detail

"Label" is a noun of neuter gender (sächliches Geschlecht). Its declension follows the pattern of strong nouns.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Das Label auf der Flasche gibt Auskunft über den Inhalt.
   (The label on the bottle provides information about the contents.)
2. Viele junge Künstler träumen davon, bei einem großen Label unter Vertrag zu stehen.
   (Many young artists dream of being signed to a major label.)
3. Dieses Modelabel setzt auf nachhaltige Materialien.
   (This fashion label focuses on sustainable materials.)
4. Achte beim Kauf auf das Fair-Trade-Label.
   (Look for the Fair Trade label when buying.)

💡 How to Use 'das Label'?

The term "Label" is often used in specific contexts:

• Music Industry: Here, das Label (often also Plattenlabel) refers to the company that signs musicians, produces recordings, and distributes them.
• Fashion Industry: Das Label (or Modelabel) stands for a fashion brand or the designer behind it.
• Product Identification: As a synonym for Etikett or Schildchen (tag, sticker) on all kinds of goods.
• Marketing & Branding: Das Label can also refer generally to a brand or an identifier.
• Quality Seals: Terms like Bio-Label (organic label), Energieeffizienzlabel (energy efficiency label), etc.

Compared to Marke (brand), Label is often more specific to the music and fashion industries or refers to the physical tag. Etikett is more neutral for the sticker itself.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Label'

For the article: Think of 'das Ding' (the thing). Many neutral objects or concepts borrowed from English take 'das'. Das Label is like the neutral tag or brand identity.

For the meaning: A Label helps you label things – whether it's a CD, a T-shirt, or jam. It gives the item a name or information.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Level (das/der): Means level or tier, not to be confused with Label.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum tragen Musiker nie alte Kleidung auf der Bühne?
(Why do musicians never wear old clothes on stage?)

Damit niemand sagt, sie hätten ihr „Verfallsdatum-Label“ überschritten! 😉
(So that nobody says they've passed their 'expiry date label'!)

🎵 A Little Poem

Ein Label klebt, ganz klein und fein,
(A label sticks, quite small and fine,)
ob Preis, ob Marke, muss es sein.
(Whether price or brand, it must be there.)
Auf CD, Shirt, an jeder Tür,
(On CD, shirt, on every door,)
es sagt dir: „Ich gehöre hier!“
(It tells you: "I belong here!")
Mal bunt, mal schlicht, mal groß, mal klein,
(Sometimes colorful, plain, big or small,)
so prägt sich uns die Botschaft ein.
(Thus the message impresses itself on us.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich hänge an Kleidung, klebe auf Glas,
(I hang on clothes, stick on glass,)
bin Name für Mode und Musikerspaß.
(Am a name for fashion and musicians' fun.)
Ich zeige den Preis oder wer etwas schuf,
(I show the price or who created something,)
mal bin ich ein Siegel, mal Künstlerberuf.
(Sometimes I'm a seal, sometimes an artist's profession.)

Was bin ich?
(What am I?)

Lösung: das Label
(Solution: the label)

Further Information about 'Label'

• Origin: The word comes directly from the English word "label", which in turn goes back to the Old French "label" (strip, ribbon).
• Compounds (Zusammensetzungen): Very common in compound words like Plattenlabel (record label), Modelabel (fashion label), Preislabel (price label), Markenlabel (brand label), Gütesiegel-Label (quality seal label), Bio-Label (organic label).
• Digital Context: Labels also exist in the digital world, e.g., for categorizing emails or data (Schlagwort).