das  Mobil

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/moˈbiːl/

🧸 What Exactly is a 'Mobil'?

The German word das Mobil (noun, neuter) primarily refers to two things:

• A baby mobile: A light, movable structure with figures or shapes hanging from it, often hung above cribs or changing tables to entertain and soothe the baby. The parts move gently in the breeze.
• An art object: A type of kinetic sculpture consisting of moving parts that are set in motion by air currents or a motor. The artist Alexander Calder is famous for his mobiles.

🚨 Important: Das Mobil is not the same as a mobile phone! For that, you use das Handy or das Mobiltelefon.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'das Mobil' in Detail

Das Mobil is a noun of neuter gender (Neutrum). It is declined as follows:

Example Sentences

• Das bunte Mobil über dem Babybett dreht sich langsam. (The colorful mobile above the crib turns slowly.)
• Im Museum bewunderten wir ein beeindruckendes Mobil von Calder. (In the museum, we admired an impressive mobile by Calder.)
• Die sanfte Bewegung des Mobils beruhigte das Kind. (The gentle movement of the mobile calmed the child.)
• Er hat dem Mobil einen kleinen Stoß gegeben. (He gave the mobile a little push.)
• Sie hat viele verschiedene Mobile für das Kinderzimmer gebastelt. (She crafted many different mobiles for the nursery.)

🔄 When and How to Use 'das Mobil'?

Das Mobil is used in specific contexts:

• Nurseries/Baby equipment: Here, it clearly refers to the hanging toy. Example: "Wir brauchen noch ein schönes Mobil für das Baby." (We still need a nice mobile for the baby.)
• Art/Museums/Galleries: In the art context, it means the kinetic sculpture. Example: "Die Ausstellung zeigt verschiedene Mobile aus den 50er Jahren." (The exhibition shows various mobiles from the 50s.)

Distinction from similar words:

• mobil (adjective): Means mobile, movable, not fixed. Example: "Er ist trotz seines Alters noch sehr mobil." (He is still very mobile despite his age.)
• das Handy / das Mobiltelefon: The electronic device for calls and internet access. Example: "Mein Handy-Akku ist leer." (My mobile phone battery is empty.) (Never: "Mein Mobil ist leer.")

⚠️ Confusing das Mobil with das Handy is a common mistake for learners, influenced by the English term "mobile phone".

💡 Mnemonics for 'das Mobil'

For the article (das): Think of das Kind (the child) or das Baby (the baby) for whom das Mobil is often intended. It's a neutral toy/art object - das Objekt (the object).

For the meaning: Imagine the parts of the mobile being mobil (mobile/movable), turning in the wind. Das Mobil is mobil.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar, but different words:

• mobil (adjective: mobile, movable)
• das Handy / das Mobiltelefon (mobile phone/cell phone)
• das Automobil (automobile/car)

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat das Baby sein Mobil angeschrien?

Weil es dachte, es sei ein "Schrei-Mobil"! 😉

(Why did the baby yell at its mobile? Because it thought it was a "cry-mobile"! - This is a pun on "Schrei" meaning cry/scream.)

✍️ Poem about 'das Mobil'

Hoch überm Bettchen, sanft und sacht,
Ein kleines Mobil, hält stille Wacht.
Figuren tanzen, dreh'n im Kreis,
Mal lautlos schwebend, mal ganz leis'.
Ein Hauch von Wind, ein kleiner Stoß,
Schon beginnt der Tanz, ganz ohne Moos.
Für Babyaugen, rein und klar,
Ist dies bewegte Wunder wahr.

(High above the crib, gentle and soft,
A little mobile keeps silent watch.
Figures dance, turning in circles,
Sometimes floating silently, sometimes very quiet.
A breath of wind, a little push,
The dance begins, without any fuss.
For baby eyes, pure and clear,
This moving wonder is truly here.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich hänge oft, doch hab kein Seil,
Bewege mich, doch Schritt für Schritt? – Kein Teil!
Mal bin ich Kunst, mal Kinderspiel,
Dreh mich im Wind, das ist mein Ziel.

Was bin ich?

(I often hang, but have no rope,
I move, but step by step? – Not a scope!
Sometimes I'm art, sometimes a child's game,
I turn in the wind, that's my aim.

What am I?)

(Answer: das Mobil)

ℹ️ Interesting Facts about 'das Mobil'

The term "Mobil" as an art form was significantly shaped by the American artist Alexander Calder (1898–1976). He created light, abstract sculptures whose parts are set in motion by air currents. He distinguished these works from his "Stabiles," his stationary sculptures.

The word itself derives from the French adjective mobile, meaning "movable," which in turn comes from the Latin mobilis.