das
Portemonnaie
👛 What exactly is a Portemonnaie?
The German word das Portemonnaie [pɔʁtmoˈneː] (also spelled Portmonee) refers to a small container, usually a pouch or case, primarily used for carrying cash (coins and banknotes), but also credit cards, IDs, and other important pocket-sized documents. It's an everyday object.
It's a loanword from French (porte-monnaie), which literally means “carry money”. In German, it's neuter, hence das Portemonnaie.
🚨 Attention: Although it ends in "-naie", it is neuter (das), not feminine.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Many foreign words → mostly neutral.
There are many foreign words, we won't list them all.
🧐 Grammar: Declension of 'das Portemonnaie'
'Portemonnaie' is a noun of neuter gender (das). Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | das | Portemonnaie |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des | Portemonnaies |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem | Portemonnaie |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | das | Portemonnaie |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Portemonnaies |
| Genitive | der | Portemonnaies |
| Dative | den | Portemonnaies |
| Accusative | die | Portemonnaies |
Example Sentences
- Ich habe mein Portemonnaie zu Hause vergessen.
(I forgot my wallet at home.) - Der Dieb stahl das Portemonnaie aus ihrer Handtasche.
(The thief stole the wallet from her handbag.) - Im Portemonnaie meines Vaters sind viele alte Fotos.
(There are many old photos in my father's wallet.) - Sie kaufte sich ein neues Lederportemonnaie.
(She bought herself a new leather wallet.)
💡 How to use Portemonnaie?
The word Portemonnaie is understood throughout German-speaking regions, but it can sometimes be perceived as slightly more formal or upscale than its synonyms.
- Everyday Language: In daily conversation, Geldbeutel (der) or Geldbörse (die) are also very common. These words are often interchangeable with Portemonnaie.
- Context: You'll encounter the word in conversations about money, shopping, travel, or security (theft).
- Materials/Types: It's often combined with the material: Lederportemonnaie (leather wallet), Stoffportemonnaie (fabric wallet). There are also specific types like Kellnerportemonnaie (waiter's wallet) or Herren-/Damenportemonnaie (men's/women's wallet).
- Alternative Spelling: The Germanized spelling Portmonee is also correct and common.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article 'das': Remember that many loanwords from French are neuter in German (e.g., das Restaurant, das Café, das Niveau). Das Portemonnaie fits this pattern. Imagine das (the neutral thing) that holds your money.
Meaning: Break down the word: Porte sounds like 'port' (to carry) and monnaie sounds like 'money'. So: A thing to carry money.
↔️ Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Geldbeutel (der): Very common, tends to be more colloquial. Literally 'money bag'.
- Geldbörse (die): Also very common, perhaps a bit more neutral than Geldbeutel. Literally 'money purse'.
- Brieftasche (die): Often used specifically for flatter wallets holding mainly bills and cards. Literally 'letter case'.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
There are no direct antonyms. You could describe opposing states:
- volles Portemonnaie (full wallet) vs. leeres Portemonnaie (empty wallet)
- neues Portemonnaie (new wallet) vs. altes Portemonnaie (old wallet)
⚠️ Confusing Words
- Porto (das): The fee for mailing something (postage). Sounds vaguely similar but is unrelated.
- Mappe (die): A folder or portfolio for documents, not specifically for money.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat das Skelett sein Portemonnaie nicht mit zur Party gebracht?
Weil es keine „Körper“ hatte, um es hineinzustecken!
Translation:
Why didn't the skeleton bring its wallet to the party?
Because it had no "body" to put it in! (Pun: 'Körper' means body, and it sounds a bit like a container or basket ('Körbchen'), plus the obvious lack of a physical body).
✍️ Poem about the Portemonnaie
Das treue Portemonnaie, so klein,
bewahrt den Schein, hält Münzen rein.
Ob Leder, Stoff, ob alt, ob neu,
es ist uns täglich meistens treu.
Mit Karten, Fotos, manchem Kram,
begleitet's uns, mal voll, mal lahm.
Vergiss es nicht, pass gut drauf auf,
sonst nimmt das Schicksal seinen Lauf!
Translation:
The loyal wallet, oh so small,
Keeps bills safe, holds coins and all.
In leather, fabric, old or new,
It stays with us, mostly true.
With cards and photos, bits of stuff,
It tags along, full or rough.
Don't leave it, guard it well each day,
Or fate might take a different way!
❓ Little Riddle
Ich habe keine Stimme, doch sag' dir, was du hast.
Ich habe keinen Magen, doch schlucke deine Last.
Mal bin ich dick, mal bin ich flach,
Ich lieg' in deiner Tasche oder unterm Dach.
Was bin ich?
(Lösung/Solution: Das Portemonnaie)
Translation:
I have no voice, but tell you what you've got.
I have no stomach, yet swallow your whole lot.
Sometimes I'm thick, sometimes I'm flat,
I lie in your pocket or under your hat (metaphorically, in your bag/home).
What am I?
(Solution: The wallet/das Portemonnaie)
✨ Other Information
Word Origin (Etymology)
The word Portemonnaie comes directly from French: porte-monnaie. It is composed of porter (to carry) and monnaie (coin, money). So it literally means “money carrier”.
Typical Compound Words
- Lederportemonnaie (Leather wallet)
- Herrenportemonnaie / Damenportemonnaie (Men's wallet / Women's wallet/purse)
- Kellnerportemonnaie (Waiter's wallet)
- Reiseportemonnaie (Travel wallet)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Portemonnaie?
The German word for wallet or purse, 'Portemonnaie', is neuter. Therefore, the correct article is always das Portemonnaie.