das
Repertoire
🎭 What does "das Repertoire" mean?
The German word das Repertoire (noun, neuter) refers to the collection or stock of works, pieces, roles, or skills that an artist, ensemble, theatre, or even a person has mastered and regularly performs or uses.
- In an artistic context: All the pieces that a theatre or orchestra has rehearsed and can perform (e.g., das Repertoire eines Pianisten - a pianist's repertoire).
- Figuratively: The set of means, methods, or behaviors available to someone (e.g., sein Repertoire an Ausreden - his repertoire of excuses).
It originates from French (répertoire), originally meaning "index" or "inventory list".
Article rules for der, die, and das
Many foreign words → mostly neutral.
There are many foreign words, we won't list them all.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: das Repertoire
"Repertoire" is a neuter noun in German, so it uses the article das. Here is its declension:
Singular Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Repertoire |
| Genitive | des | Repertoires |
| Dative | dem | Repertoire |
| Accusative | das | Repertoire |
Plural Declension
The plural form is "die Repertoires".
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Repertoires |
| Genitive | der | Repertoires |
| Dative | den | Repertoires |
| Accusative | die | Repertoires |
Example Sentences
- Das Theater hat sein Repertoire für die neue Saison vorgestellt.
(The theatre presented its repertoire for the new season.) - Der Sänger erweiterte ständig sein Repertoire an Liedern.
(The singer constantly expanded his repertoire of songs.) - Sein Repertoire an Kochkünsten ist beeindruckend.
(His repertoire of cooking skills is impressive.) - Die verschiedenen Theater verglichen ihre Repertoires.
(The various theatres compared their repertoires.)
💡 Everyday Usage
"Das Repertoire" is frequently used in the context of arts and culture, especially theatre, music, and performing arts.
- One speaks of the Repertoire of an actor (ihre Rollen - their roles), a musician (seine Stücke - their pieces), an orchestra, or a theatre (die aufgeführten Werke - the performed works).
- It can also be used more generally for a collection of skills or behaviors: "Sein Repertoire an Witzen ist begrenzt." (His repertoire of jokes is limited.) or "Sie griff auf ihr gesamtes Repertoire an Überzeugungstaktiken zurück." (She resorted to her entire repertoire of persuasive tactics.)
- There is little risk of confusion, as the word is quite specific. Similar terms like Programm (program), Sortiment (assortment), or Auswahl (selection) often have a narrower or more commercial focus.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Think of neutral things that make up a list or collection: das Ding (the thing), das Stück (the piece), das Werk (the work). Many elements in a list feel 'neutral', hence das Repertoire.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine an artist having to repeat (Re-pe-) his skills over and over from his inventory (-toire). That collection of repeatable skills is his Repertoire.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Fundus: (Stock, pool) Often used for costumes or props, but also figuratively for a pool of knowledge/ideas.
- Programm: (Program) More likely the selection for a specific event or season.
- Sortiment / Auswahl: (Assortment / Selection) More common in a commercial context (range of goods).
- Bestand: (Stock, inventory) A more general term for supply or inventory.
- Spielplan: (Schedule, program) Specifically the planned performances of a theatre/stage.
- Können / Fähigkeiten: (Skills / Abilities) When referring to a person's repertoire.
Antonyms (Opposites):
Direct antonyms are difficult. One could describe the opposite concept:
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Komiker nur einen Witz in seinem Repertoire?
Weil er dachte, wenn der eine gut ist, braucht er keinen weiteren!
(Why did the comedian only have one joke in his repertoire?
Because he thought if that one was good, he didn't need another!)
📜 A Poem about the Word
Ein Künstler auf der Bühne steht,
sein Können weit und breit verweht.
Von Drama bis zur leichten Posse,
zeigt er die Kunst in voller Größe.
Lieder, Tänze, kluger Witz,
all das sitzt, ist erster Sitz.
Was er kann, was er darstellt hier?
Man nennt es stolz: das Repertoire.
(An artist stands upon the stage,
his skill blows far across the age.
From drama deep to comedy light,
he shows his art with all his might.
Songs and dances, clever wit,
all perfected, a perfect fit.
What he can do, presents right here?
It's proudly called: the Repertoire.)
🤔 A Little Riddle
Ich bin die Summe dessen, was man kann,
ob Künstler, Koch, ob Zimmermann.
Im Theater bin ich oft zu Haus,
als Liste aller Stücke, ein wahrer Schmaus.
Ich bin der Schatz an Wissen und an Kunst,
gepflegt mit Eifer und mit Brunst.
Was bin ich?
(Lösung: das Repertoire)
(I am the sum of what one can do,
be it artist, chef, or carpenter true.
In the theatre, I am often found,
as a list of all plays, a feast profound.
I am the treasure of knowledge and art,
cultivated with zeal, playing a key part.
What am I?
Answer: the Repertoire)
🌐 Other Information
Origin: The word "Repertoire" comes directly from French (répertoire), where it means "index," "register," or "catalog." It derives from the Late Latin repertorium ("list," "inventory"), which in turn comes from the Latin verb reperire ("to find (again)").
Internationality: The word is used in very similar forms and meanings in many languages (e.g., English repertoire, German Repertoire, Italian repertorio, Spanish repertorio).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Repertoire?
The German word Repertoire is a neuter noun, so the correct article is das. It refers to the complete list or supply of skills, devices, or pieces that a person or company is prepared to use or perform (e.g., das Repertoire eines Pianisten - a pianist's repertoire, or das Repertoire an Ausreden - the repertoire of excuses).