das  Plakat

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/plaˈkaːt/

🖼️ What exactly is a Plakat?

A Plakat (neuter, article: das) is a large, usually printed sheet or board made of paper, cardboard, or similar material. It is typically displayed publicly (e.g., on walls, pillars, in display cases) to disseminate information, advertise, announce events, or proclaim a message.

There is only this one article, das, for Plakat, making it a straightforward word in terms of gender.

In English, it translates to poster, placard, or sometimes bill (as in poster bill).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar Corner: Declining das Plakat

'Das Plakat' is a neuter noun. Here’s how it declines (changes form based on its grammatical case):

Note: The (e) in Dative and Genitive singular indicates an older or more formal ending, usually omitted today.

Example Sentences

1. Das Plakat für das neue Musical hängt überall in der Stadt. (The poster for the new musical is hanging all over the city.)
2. Hast du das Plakat gesehen? (Did you see the poster?)
3. Auf dem Plakat stand der Beginn des Konzerts. (The start time of the concert was written on the poster.)
4. Die Gestaltung des Plakats ist sehr ansprechend. (The design of the poster is very appealing.)
5. Überall hingen bunte Plakate. (Colorful posters were hanging everywhere.)
6. Die Aktivisten klebten heimlich Plakate an die Wände. (The activists secretly stuck posters on the walls.)
7. Informationen zu den Kandidaten findest du auf den Plakaten. (You can find information about the candidates on the posters.)
8. Die Qualität der Plakate ließ zu wünschen übrig. (The quality of the posters left much to be desired.)

📣 How and When to Use 'Plakat'?

The term Plakat is very common and used in many contexts:

• Werbung (Advertising): For products, services, or brands (Werbeplakat).
• Veranstaltungen (Events): Announcing concerts, films, plays, exhibitions, festivals (Veranstaltungsplakat, Filmplakat, Konzertplakat).
• Politik (Politics): Election campaigns, political messages (Wahlplakat).
• Information: Public announcements, warnings, educational purposes (Informationsplakat).
• Kunst & Design (Art & Design): As an independent art form or design element (Kunstplakat).

It's a standard German word with no major regional variations in its primary meaning. Sometimes, colloquially, the English word Poster is used, especially for posters of bands or movies intended for decoration.

💡 Mnemonics for 'das Plakat'

For the article 'das': Many foreign loanwords ending in '-at' are neuter in German (das Referat - presentation, das Zitat - quote, das Plakat). Imagine: Das automat prints das Plakat. The '-at' sound links them.

For the meaning 'poster': Imagine someone using a tool to 'place' an 'ad' on the wall -> 'plac-ad' sounds like Plakat. Or think of it being 'plaque-like' on a wall.

🔁 Similar and Opposite Terms

Synonyms (Words with similar meaning):

• Aushang (der): Often smaller and more informal, like a notice on a bulletin board.
• Poster (das): Very similar, often used for decorative or fan purposes (movie posters, band posters). Widely understood, borrowed from English.
• Anschlag (der): Can mean an official notice or announcement, but also a secretly posted bill (like a protest notice).
• Werbebanner (das): Usually larger, often made of fabric or vinyl; can also refer to digital banners.
• Flugblatt (das) / Flyer (der): Smaller, meant for distribution by hand, not for posting up.

Antonyms (Opposite concepts):

A direct antonym is difficult. Conceptually, one might consider:

• Leere Wand (die): An empty wall, the state before a poster is put up.
• Mündliche Durchsage (die): An oral announcement, a non-visual form of notice.

Potential for Confusion:

• Paket (das): Sounds slightly similar but means 'parcel' or 'package'. Be mindful of spelling and pronunciation! (Pa-ket vs Pla-kat).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Können Sie Plakate entwerfen?"
Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "Klar, aber auf Tapete hält die Farbe besser!"

Translation:

The boss asks the new employee: "Can you design posters (Plakate)?"
The employee replies: "Sure, but the paint sticks better to wallpaper!" (A play on the visual nature of posters vs. painting directly on walls/wallpaper).

📜 Poem about the Poster

An der Wand, so bunt und groß,
hängt das Plakat, gibt einen Stoß,
eine Nachricht in die Welt,
was morgen zählt, was heut gefällt.

Von Film bis Fest, von Kunst bis Wahl,
es zeigt sich überall im Saal,
der Stadt, des Lebens, grell und schlicht,
das Plakat bringt Botschaft ans Licht.

Translation:

On the wall, so colorful and large,
hangs the poster, gives a nudge,
a message to the world out there,
what matters tomorrow, what's liked today, to share.

From film to fest, from art to vote,
it shows itself everywhere of note,
in the city, in life, bright and plain,
the poster brings messages again.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich hänge an der Wand, doch bin kein Bild im Rahmen fein.
Ich werbe laut für Film und Band, lad' dich zum Kaufen ein.
Mal bunt, mal schlicht, aus Papier gemacht,
hab' oft 'ne Botschaft über Nacht.

Was bin ich?

Translation:

I hang on the wall, but I'm not a picture in a fine frame.
I advertise loudly for film and band, invite you to buy things (or attend).
Sometimes colorful, sometimes simple, made of paper,
I often have a message delivered overnight.

What am I?

🌐 Other Information

Wortherkunft (Etymology): The German word 'Plakat' comes from the Dutch plakkaat and the French placard, which originally meant an official decree or a posted notice. It entered the German language in the 17th century.

Wortzusammensetzungen (Compound Words): Plakat is often part of compound nouns that specify its purpose or content:

• Wahlplakat: Election poster.
• Filmplakat: Movie poster.
• Konzertplakat: Concert poster.
• Werbeplakat: Advertising poster (general).
• Theaterplakat: Theatre poster.