das
Schreiben
✍️ What does 'das Schreiben' mean?
Das Schreiben is a nominalized verb (from the verb schreiben - to write) and primarily has two meanings in German:
- The act of writing: The activity of putting letters, words, and texts on paper or creating them digitally. In this sense, it is usually uncountable and has no plural.
Example: Das Schreiben fällt mir heute schwer. (Writing is difficult for me today.) - A written document, a letter: A specific document that has been written, often in a formal or official context.
Example: Ich habe Ihr Schreiben vom 15. Mai erhalten. (I have received your letter/communication of May 15th.)
🚨 Attention: Although the article is always 'das', the plural 'die Schreiben' only refers to the second meaning (multiple documents/letters).
Article rules for der, die, and das
Deverbal nouns → immer neutral.
These are nouns derived from verbs. They are also called Verbalsubstantive or Verbalnomen.
Deverbal nouns → immer neutral.
These are nouns derived from verbs. They are also called Verbalsubstantive or Verbalnomen.
Books, documents → mostly neutral.
Caution: see exceptions
Grammar Deep Dive: das Schreiben
'Das Schreiben' is a neuter noun. Its declension is as follows:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Schreiben |
| Genitive | des | Schreibens |
| Dative | dem | Schreiben |
| Accusative | das | Schreiben |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Schreiben |
| Genitive | der | Schreiben |
| Dative | den | Schreiben |
| Accusative | die | Schreiben |
Note: The plural is only used for the meaning 'document/letter'. The 'act of writing' typically does not have a plural form.
Example Sentences
- Nominative: Das Schreiben von E-Mails gehört zu meinen täglichen Aufgaben. (The writing of emails is part of my daily tasks.) [Act of writing]
- Nominative: Das Schreiben der Behörde lag im Briefkasten. (The letter from the authority was in the mailbox.) [Document]
- Genitive: Der Inhalt des Schreibens war vertraulich. (The content of the letter was confidential.) [Document]
- Dative: Ich widme mich jetzt ganz dem Schreiben meiner Abschlussarbeit. (I am now fully dedicating myself to the writing of my thesis.) [Act of writing]
- Akkusativ: Ich habe das Schreiben gestern abgeschickt. (I sent the letter yesterday.) [Document]
- Plural: Die Anwältin prüft die eingegangenen Schreiben. (The lawyer is checking the received letters/documents.) [Documents]
Everyday Usage ✒️
When do you use 'das Schreiben'?
- As an activity: Often in contexts related to skills, processes, or habits.
- Das kreative Schreiben (Creative writing)
- Das wissenschaftliche Schreiben (Academic writing)
- Das schnelle Schreiben auf der Tastatur (Fast typing / writing on the keyboard)
- As a document: Frequently in formal correspondence, business, or dealing with authorities.
- Ein offizielles Schreiben (An official letter/document)
- Ein Bewerbungsschreiben (A letter of application)
- Ein Mahnschreiben (A dunning letter/reminder)
Difference from the verb: 'Das Schreiben' (noun) refers to the action as a concept or a specific document, while 'schreiben' (verb) describes the activity itself.
Compare: Ich lerne das Schreiben. (I am learning writing / how to write.) vs. Ich schreibe einen Brief. (I am writing a letter.)
Memory Hooks
Article 'das'
Nominalized verbs in the infinitive form are almost always neuter (das). Think of: das Laufen (running), das Essen (eating), das Lesen (reading) – and also das Schreiben. It describes 'something', a process or a thing (letter) -> das.
Remembering the Meaning
Imagine holding an important document – das Schriftstück (the document), das Papier (the paper), das offizielle Schreiben (the official letter). For the activity: Think of das big picture, das concept of writing.
Word Families: Similar & Opposite
Synonyms
- For 'act of writing': das Verfassen (composing), die Schriftstellerei (authorship), das Texten (texting, copywriting)
- For 'document': der Brief (letter), die Mitteilung (message, communication), das Dokument (document), die Korrespondenz (correspondence), der Schriftsatz (pleading, legal document), die Nachricht (message)
Similar Terms
A Little Fun 😄
Lehrer: "Fritzchen, warum ist dein Aufsatz über deinen Hund genau derselbe wie der deines Bruders?"
Fritzchen: "Na klar, wir haben doch denselben Hund!"
Translation:
Teacher: "Fritzchen, why is your essay about your dog exactly the same as your brother's?"
Fritzchen: "Well, of course, we have the same dog!"
A Little Poem
Das Schreiben, mal leicht, mal schwer,
Bringt Gedanken aufs Papier, bitte sehr.
Mal ein Brief, ganz offiziell und klar,
Mal ein Gedicht, so wunderbar.
Ob digital getippt, ob mit der Hand,
Es verbindet Menschen, Land für Land.
Translation:
Writing, sometimes easy, sometimes hard,
Brings thoughts to paper, if you please.
Sometimes a letter, official and clear,
Sometimes a poem, so wonderfully dear.
Whether typed digitally, or by hand's art,
It connects people, land to land, playing its part.
Who or what am I?
Ich kann ein Amt sein, das dir Post schickt,
Oder die Kunst, die dein Gehirn verzückt.
Ich bin ein Dokument, mal kurz, mal lang,
Oder die Müh', die dir den Tag abrang.
Was bin ich?
Translation:
I can be an office that sends you mail,
Or the art that makes your brain exhale.
I am a document, sometimes short, sometimes long,
Or the effort that made your day feel wrong.
What am I?
(Answer: das Schreiben - writing / a written document)
Other Information 💡
Word Formation: 'Das Schreiben' is a substantivized verb (or nominalized verb) derived from the verb 'schreiben' (to write). Such nominalizations are very common in German and are always neuter (das).
Compounds: There are many compound nouns ending in '-schreiben' that refer to specific types of documents, e.g.:
- das Bewerbungsschreiben (letter of application)
- das Empfehlungsschreiben (letter of recommendation)
- das Mahnschreiben (dunning letter)
- das Dankschreiben (thank-you letter)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Schreiben?
The correct form is always das Schreiben. It refers to either the act of writing or a written document/letter. The plural form 'die Schreiben' is only used for multiple documents/letters.