das
Mobile
🖼️ What exactly is a Mobile?
The German word das Mobile refers to a movable art object or children's toy, usually hanging from the ceiling. It consists of various elements (figures, shapes, colours) connected by threads or thin rods, which move easily in a draught or when touched.
It's a loanword from French (mobile = movable). In German, it is neuter (sächlich).
🚨 Attention: Do not confuse it with the adjective mobil ('mobile', 'movable') or the colloquial term for a mobile phone (das Handy), which is sometimes also called 'Mobile' but is usually treated as neuter (das Mobile) or masculine (der Mobile, less common) when referring to the device. This entry focuses on das Mobile as the hanging object.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Many foreign words → mostly neutral.
There are many foreign words, we won't list them all.
🧐 Grammar Under the Microscope: Das Mobile
The noun 'Mobile' is neuter (sächlich) and uses the article das.
Declension (Deklination)
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Mobile |
| Genitive | des | Mobiles |
| Dative | dem | Mobile |
| Accusative | das | Mobile |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Mobiles |
| Genitive | der | Mobiles |
| Dative | den | Mobiles |
| Accusative | die | Mobiles |
Example Sentences (Beispielsätze)
- Das bunte Mobile dreht sich sanft über dem Kinderbett. (The colourful mobile turns gently above the cot.)
- Im Kunstmuseum hing ein beeindruckendes Mobile von Calder. (An impressive mobile by Calder hung in the art museum.)
- Ich habe für mein Patenkind ein Mobile gebastelt. (I made a mobile for my godchild.)
- Die verschiedenen Elemente des Mobiles waren aus Holz gefertigt. (The various elements of the mobile were made of wood.)
- Mit dem Mobile kann man das Baby gut beruhigen. (You can easily soothe the baby with the mobile.)
🔄 How to Use 'das Mobile'?
Context: 'Das Mobile' is primarily used in two contexts:
- 👶 Nursery (Kinderzimmer): As a toy or decoration above cots (Babybetten) or changing tables (Wickeltische). It's intended to entertain and soothe the child.
- 🎨 Art & Design: As a kinetic sculpture, often found in museums, galleries, or as room decoration. Famous artists like Alexander Calder are known for their mobiles.
Distinction:
- Mobil (adjective): Means 'movable', 'not tied to one place'. Example: 'Er ist beruflich sehr mobil.' (He travels a lot for work.)
- Das Handy / Mobiltelefon: The electronic device for making calls is often also called 'Mobile', but it's a different concept. Using 'das Mobile' for the phone is colloquial and less common than 'das Handy'.
The meaning 'hanging object' is the primary one and clearly associated with the article 'das'.
🧠 Mnemonics for Memorization
Article Aid (das)
Imagine das Ding (the thing - neuter association for 'das') hanging there is das Mobile. Or: Das Gebilde (the structure), das da schwebt (that floats there), is das Mobile. Neutral, inanimate objects often take 'das'. A mobile is an *it*, and *it* in German is often 'das'.
Meaning Aid (hanging object)
A Mobile is mobile – it moves easily, often in the wind, like leaves (which are plural 'die', but we focus on das Objekt - the object itself), but it hangs firmly and is an object (das Objekt).
↔️ Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Synonyme)
- Hängeobjekt: (Hanging object) - A more general description.
- Windspiel: (Wind chime) - Often similar, but usually focused on sound, whereas a mobile is primarily visual.
- Hängeskulptur: (Hanging sculpture) - Emphasizes the artistic aspect.
Antonyms (Antonyme)
- Stabile Skulptur: (Stable sculpture) - A stationary artwork.
- Festes Objekt: (Fixed object) - Something immovable.
Similar but Different Words ⚠️
- Mobil (adjective): Movable, not tied to one place.
- Das Handy / Das Mobiltelefon: The mobile/cell phone.
- Die Möbel (plural): Furniture (sounds similar but completely different meaning).
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat das Baby das Mobile verklagt?
Weil es ständig über seinem Kopf abhing! 😉
(Why did the baby sue the mobile?
Because it was always hanging over its head!)
📜 A Little Poem
Das Mobile tanzt im leichten Wind,
ein Farbenspiel für jedes Kind.
Es dreht sich leis', fast ohne Laut,
ein Kunstwerk, das man gern beschaut.
Mal Fisch, mal Stern, mal bunter Kreis,
bewegt sich auf geheimnisvolle Weis'.
(The mobile dances in the gentle breeze,
a play of colours sure to please.
It turns softly, almost without sound,
an artwork gladly looked around.
Sometimes fish, star, or colourful sphere,
moving in a way mysterious and dear.)
❓ Who am I? A Riddle
Ich hänge oft hoch, doch fall nicht tief,
besteh' aus Teilen, leicht und schief.
Ein Lufthauch nur, und schon tanz' ich gern,
bin Kunstwerk oder Kinderstern.
Was bin ich?
(Antwort: das Mobile)
(I often hang high, but don't fall deep,
Made of parts, light and askew, secrets to keep.
Just a breath of air, and I love to dance,
I'm artwork or a child's lucky chance.
What am I?
Answer: the mobile)
🌐 Other Interesting Details
Origin (Herkunft): The word 'Mobile' comes directly from French, where 'mobile' means 'movable'. It became popular in the early 20th century, especially through kinetic art.
Famous Proponent: The American artist Alexander Calder (1898–1976) is considered the inventor of the mobile as an art form. His works are world-famous.
Materials (Materialien): Mobiles can be made from a wide variety of materials: wood (Holz), metal (Metall), plastic (Kunststoff), paper (Papier), fabric (Stoff), glass (Glas), etc.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Mobile?
The German word for the hanging art object or children's toy is das Mobile (neuter). It is declined in the singular with 'das' (Nominative: das Mobile, Genitive: des Mobiles, etc.) and in the plural with 'die' (die Mobiles).