das
Porzellan
🏺 What exactly is Porzellan?
Das Porzellan is a fine, translucent ceramic material fired at high temperatures. It's known for its hardness, density, and white sheen. It's often used for high-quality tableware (Geschirr), art objects (Kunstgegenstände), and technical components (technische Bauteile).
The article is always das, as it refers to a material (many materials in German are neuter). There are no other articles or meanings for this word.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Materials, metals → mostly neutral.
Raw materials other than stones/minerals ('der Stein').
🧐 Grammar of Porzellan in Detail
Das Porzellan is a noun of the neuter gender (Neutrum). It's mostly used as an uncountable material noun and therefore usually has no plural form. A plural (die Porzellane) can occur rarely when referring to different types or varieties of porcelain.
Declension Singular
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | das Porzellan | ein Porzellan (a porcelain) |
| Genitive (Whose?) | des Porzellans | eines Porzellans (of a porcelain) |
| Dative (To/For Whom?) | dem Porzellan | einem Porzellan (to/for a porcelain) |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | das Porzellan | ein Porzellan (a porcelain) |
Declension Plural - Rare
The plural is rarely used.
| Case | Definite Article |
|---|---|
| Nominative | die Porzellane (the porcelains) |
| Genitive | der Porzellane (of the porcelains) |
| Dative | den Porzellanen (to/for the porcelains) |
| Accusative | die Porzellane (the porcelains) |
✨ Example Sentences
- Das Teeservice ist aus feinstem Porzellan gefertigt. (The tea set is made of the finest porcelain.)
- Die Zerbrechlichkeit des Porzellans erfordert vorsichtige Handhabung. (The fragility of the porcelain requires careful handling.)
- Sie schenkte ihm eine Tasse aus bemaltem Porzellan. (She gave him a cup made of painted porcelain.)
- Vorsicht, das Porzellan ist sehr wertvoll! (Careful, the porcelain is very valuable!)
- Im Museum waren verschiedene Porzellane aus unterschiedlichen Epochen ausgestellt. (In the museum, various porcelains from different eras were exhibited. - Rare plural)
💡 How is Porzellan used?
Das Porzellan is mainly used in the following contexts:
- Tableware (Geschirr): Plates (Teller), cups (Tassen), bowls (Schüsseln) - often referred to as "das gute Porzellan" (the good china) for special occasions.
- Art & Decoration (Kunst & Dekoration): Figurines (Figuren), vases (Vasen), decorative objects (Ziergegenstände).
- Technology (Technik): Insulators in electrical engineering (Isolatoren), dental fillings (Dentalporzellan).
- Everyday Language (Alltagssprache): Sometimes used metaphorically, e.g., "wie ein Elefant im Porzellanladen" (like a bull in a china shop - meaning very clumsy).
It differs from Keramik (ceramics - the general term), Steingut (stoneware - less fine, not translucent), and Ton (clay - the raw material).
🧠 Mnemonics for Porzellan
Article Mnemonic: Think of das Material. Many materials in German are neuter (das Holz - wood, das Glas - glass, das Metall - metal, das Plastik - plastic) – and so is das Porzellan.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you pour salad dressing (Por-Salat -> Porzellan) onto a fine white plate. The plate is delicate, white, and easily broken – just like Porzellan.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
⚠️ Similar-sounding but different words
- Parzelle (die): A small plot of land. Sounds somewhat similar but has a completely different meaning and gender (feminine).
😂 A Little Joke
Warum sollte man einem Elefanten niemals Porzellan schenken?
... Weil er sich sonst wie im Porzellanladen benimmt! 😉
(Why should you never give porcelain to an elephant? ... Because otherwise, he'll behave like a bull in a china shop!)
📜 Poem about Porzellan
Weiß und fein, mit zartem Klang,
Das Porzellan, schon jahrelang.
Aus Kaolin, Quarz und Feldspat rein,
Muss es gebrannt bei Hitze sein.
Zerbrechlich schön, ein edles Stück,
Bringt Tisch und Tafel oft viel Glück.
Ob Tasse, Teller oder Vase,
Stets eine Augenweide, ohne Frage.
---
(White and fine, with a delicate sound,
The porcelain, for years renowned.
From kaolin, quartz, and feldspar pure,
It must be fired in heat, for sure.)
(Fragile beauty, a noble piece,
Brings table and board often much bliss.
Whether cup, plate, or vase so grand,
Always a feast for the eyes, close at hand.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin weiß und manchmal bemalt,
Sehr zerbrechlich, heiß und kalt.
Aus mir trinkst du Tee gar fein,
Doch fall ich runter, werd' ich klein.
Was bin ich? ... Das Porzellan
---
(I am white and sometimes painted,
Very fragile, hot and cold acquainted.
From me, you drink tea so fine,
But if I fall, I become tiny bits in line.)
(What am I?) ... Porcelain
✨ More Interesting Facts
- Origin (Herkunft): Porcelain was originally invented in China and remained a closely guarded secret for a long time.
- Composition (Zusammensetzung): Main components are kaolin (Porzellanerde), feldspar (Feldspat), and quartz (Quarz).
- Idiom (Redewendung): "Porzellan zerschlagen" (to break porcelain) means to destroy trust or a good relationship through thoughtless remarks or actions.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Porzellan?
The word "Porzellan" is a noun and its only correct article is das. It refers to a fine ceramic material. It is mostly used as an uncountable noun (Singular: das Porzellan).
