das / der  Poster

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈpɔstɐ/

🖼️ What Exactly is a "Poster"?

The German word Poster is almost exclusively used with the neuter article:

• das Poster (neuter): This is the common meaning, referring to a large, usually printed sheet of paper or thin cardboard displayed on a wall or other surface. It can be used for decoration (e.g., artwork, photo), information (e.g., scientific poster), or advertising (e.g., movie poster, concert announcement). Synonyms often include das Plakat or der Aushang.

There is also a very rare, archaic masculine form:

• ⚠️ der Poster (masculine): This form is *hardly used today* and is considered *archaic*. It formerly referred to a postilion (mail coach driver or rider) or sometimes their post horn. This meaning is practically non-existent in modern German usage.

🚨 Attention: In everyday language, das Poster is always the intended word.

🧐 Grammar Check: Declension of "das Poster"

Since das Poster is the standard form, we'll focus on its declension (neuter). The masculine form der Poster is extremely rare and mentioned here only for completeness (it would be declined like typical masculine nouns ending in -er).

Declension: das Poster (Neuter)

Example Sentences for "das Poster"

1. Das neue Poster meiner Lieblingsband hängt jetzt über meinem Bett. (The new poster of my favourite band is hanging above my bed now. - Nominative Singular)
2. Die Qualität des Posters ist hervorragend. (The quality of the poster is excellent. - Genitive Singular)
3. Ich habe dem Poster einen schönen Rahmen gegeben. (I gave the poster a nice frame. - Dative Singular)
4. Siehst du das bunte Poster an der Litfaßsäule? (Do you see the colorful poster on the advertising column? - Accusative Singular)
5. Die Wände waren mit alten Film-Postern bedeckt. (The walls were covered with old movie posters. - Dative Plural)

💡 How and When to Use "Poster"

Das Poster is an everyday word used in various contexts:

• Decoration: Beautifying rooms (Wohnung, Büro) with pictures, artwork, photos. "Ich suche ein schönes Landschafts-Poster für mein Wohnzimmer." (I'm looking for a nice landscape poster for my living room.)
• Advertising: Announcing events (Konzerte, Filme, Theater), products, or services. Often synonymous with das Plakat. "Überall in der Stadt hängen Wahl-Poster." (Election posters are hanging all over the city.)
• Information: Presenting content, e.g., at scientific conferences (wissenschaftliches Poster) or in educational institutions. "Er präsentierte seine Forschungsergebnisse auf einem Poster." (He presented his research findings on a poster.)
• Fan Culture: Expressing enthusiasm for bands, actors, athletes, etc. "Sein Zimmer ist voller Poster von Fußballstars." (His room is full of posters of soccer stars.)

Comparison:

• Plakat: Often synonymous with *Poster*, but sometimes more strongly associated with advertising or public notices and potentially larger.
• Aushang: More informational, often simpler in design than a *Poster* (e.g., a notice on a bulletin board).
• Bild: General term for a visual representation; can be a painting, drawing, or photo, not necessarily printed or large-format like a *Poster*.

Der Poster: As mentioned, this form is *archaic* and *not used* in modern German. You would use der Postillon or das Posthorn instead.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Poster"

• For the article (das): Think of other neuter German words for pictures or paper items: das Bild (picture), das Plakat (placard), das Blatt Papier (sheet of paper). Das Poster fits right in! It's that thing on the wall, neuter and neutral.

• For the meaning (placard/picture): Imagine you *post* a large picture on the wall - that's your Poster. It *posts* information or an image visually.

• Distinguishing from "der Poster": Picture *der alte Postillon* (*the old postilion* = *der Poster*) riding away into history. All that's left is das picture of him – das Poster – hanging on the wall. Only das Poster (the picture) is relevant today.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

Synonyms for das Poster

• das Plakat: Very similar, often used for advertising or public announcements.
• der Aushang: Usually informational and simpler, like a notice.
• das Wandbild: Can be a poster, but also a painting or other wall decoration.
• der Kunstdruck: Specifically a poster reproducing a work of art.

Antonyms (in the sense of absence)

• Leerstelle: Empty space where a poster could be.
• Nackte Wand: Bare wall, without decoration like posters.

Similar, potentially confusing words

• Postkarte (die): Postcard - small format, meant for mailing.
• Flyer/Flugblatt (der/das): Small advertising or informational sheet for distribution.
• Posten (der): Has many meanings (post, position, item, entry), but unrelated to a picture.

😄 A Little Joke About Posters

German: Warum sollte man nie Verstecken mit Postern spielen? ... Weil sie immer an der Wand hängen!

English: Why should you never play hide-and-seek with posters? ... Because they always hang around on the wall! 😉

✍️ A Poem About the Poster

German:
An meiner Wand, ganz bunt und groß,
das Poster hängt, was mach ich bloß?
Ein Held, ein Traum, ein ferner Strand,
gebannt auf Papier, in meiner Hand.
Mal wirbt es laut, mal schmückt es still,
ein Stückchen Welt, ganz wie ich will.
Das Poster lebt, erzählt Geschicht',
bringt Farbe mir und auch viel Licht.

English Translation:
On my wall, so colourful and large,
the poster hangs, what's my charge?
A hero, a dream, a distant shore,
captured on paper, held by my door.
Sometimes it advertises loud, sometimes adorns quiet,
a piece of the world, just as I like it.
The poster lives, tells a story,
brings me colour and also much glory (light).

🧩 Riddle Time

German:
Ich hänge meistens flach und breit,
an Wänden für die Ewigkeit (oder kurze Zeit).
Mal zeig' ich Stars, mal Kunst, mal Tier,
gedruckt auf glänzendem Papier.
Manchmal werb' ich laut und schrill,
manchmal bin ich einfach nur still.

Was bin ich?
... Das Poster

English Translation:
I usually hang flat and wide,
on walls for eternity (or a short ride).
Sometimes I show stars, sometimes art, sometimes creatures,
printed on glossy paper features.
Sometimes I advertise loud and shrill,
sometimes I'm simply just still.

What am I?
... The Poster

ℹ️ More Facts About Poster

• Etymology: The German word Poster was borrowed from English (poster) in the 20th century. The English word originally referred to someone who affixed notices (posts).
• Compound Nouns: There are many compound words ending in "-poster", such as Filmposter (movie poster), Konzertposter (concert poster), Wahlposter (election poster), Werbeposter (advertising poster), Riesenposter (giant poster), Fotoposter (photo poster). The base noun retains its neuter article: das Filmposter.
• Scientific Posters: A specific format (wissenschaftliches Poster) used at conferences for the concise presentation of research findings (Posterpräsentation - poster presentation).