das / der  Polster

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈpɔlstɐ/

🛋️ What does Polster mean? (Two articles, two meanings!)

The word "Polster" is an interesting case in German because it has two possible articles, each carrying a slightly different meaning or connotation:

1. das Polster (neuter): This is the most common form and refers to a soft cushion, pad, or padding used for sitting, lying, or protection. It can also refer to the upholstery of furniture or clothing.
   • Example: das Sitzpolster (seat cushion), das Rückenpolster (back cushion), das Nadelkissen (pincushion)
2. der Polster (masculine): This form is less common and is primarily used in Austria and Southern Germany. It often means a buffer, a reserve, or a safety cushion, especially in a financial context.
   • Example: ein finanzieller Polster (a financial buffer), ein Zeitpolster (a time buffer)

⚠️ Pay attention to the regional difference for der Polster. In standard German, das Polster is common for cushions/padding.

🧐 Grammar & Declension of Polster

The declension depends on the article. Both forms are weak nouns in the plural (ending in -n).

💡 Example Sentences

• das Polster: Das Sofa hat neue Polster bekommen. (The sofa got new cushions.)
• das Polster: Leg dir ein Polster in den Rücken! (Put a cushion behind your back!)
• der Polster: Wir brauchen einen finanziellen Polster für Notfälle. (We need a financial buffer for emergencies.) [regional]
• der Polster: Plane einen Zeitpolster für die Anfahrt ein. (Plan a time buffer for the journey.) [regional]

✍️ How to use Polster?

Usage clearly depends on the meaning:

• das Polster: Used in the context of furniture (sofa, chair), comfort (cushion for sleeping or sitting), protection (padding in helmets, on knees), or even sewing (pincushion). It's the general word for a soft pad or filling.
• der Polster: Mainly used in Austria and Southern Germany in a figurative sense to describe a reserve or buffer. This can be financial ("Geldpolster"), temporal ("Zeitpolster"), or metaphorical for security and backup. In the rest of Germany, one would more likely say "Puffer" or "Reserve".

Comparison: While das Polster is often a physical object, der Polster (regional) is more of an abstract concept of security or reserve. A Kissen is usually a loose cushion, often for the head or decoration, while Polster can also refer to the built-in upholstery of furniture.

🧠 Mnemonics for Polster

1. Remembering the Articles:

   Das Polster is soft, soft like DAS delightful cushion.
   Der Polster (buffer) provides support, strong like DER protector (regional use).

2. Remembering the Meaning:

   A Polster provides 'padding' – it makes something softer or safer, whether it's your sofa (das Polster) or your bank account (der Polster). The word sounds a bit like 'bolster'.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Be careful: Don't confuse with der Polsterer (upholsterer - the profession) or the verb polstern (to upholster, to pad).

😄 A little Polster Joke

Fragt ein Sofa das andere: "Fühlst du dich heute auch so durchgesessen?"
Antwortet das andere Sofa: "Nein, ich habe zum Glück noch ein gutes Polster!"

Translation:
One sofa asks the other: "Are you feeling so worn out/sat-through today too?"
The other sofa replies: "No, luckily I still have a good cushion/padding!"

📜 Poem about Polster

Ob das Polster weich und klar,
Für den Sessel wunderbar.
Oder der Polster, gut versteckt,
Der die klamme Kasse deckt.
Beide geben, sanft und leise,
Sicherheit auf ihre Weise.

Translation:
Whether das Polster, soft and clear,
For the armchair, wonderful dear.
Or der Polster, well concealed,
That the empty coffers shields.
Both provide, gently and low,
Security in their own way, you know.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich kann weich sein auf dem Stuhl,
Oder als Reserve kühl (manchmal 'der', manchmal 'das').
Ich schütze vor dem harten Fall,
Im Möbelstück und Überall.
Finanziell bin ich ein Segen.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I can be soft upon the chair,
Or as a reserve, cool and rare (sometimes 'der', sometimes 'das').
I protect from a hard fall,
In furniture and over all.
Financially, I am a blessing.

What am I?

Solution: Das/Der Polster (The cushion/buffer)

💡 Other Information

Word Origin: The word "Polster" comes from Middle High German "polster" or "bolster", which originally meant cushion or roll.

Compound Words: There are many compound words with "Polster", such as:

• Sitzpolster (seat cushion)
• Rückenpolster (back cushion)
• Luftpolster (air cushion, bubble wrap)
• Geldpolster (financial cushion)
• Zeitpolster (time buffer)
• Polstermöbel (upholstered furniture)