das  Tuch

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/tuːx/

📖 What does "das Tuch" mean?

Das Tuch (noun, neuter) generally refers to a woven or knitted piece of fabric. It has several more specific meanings:

• Piece of cloth/fabric: A general piece of material, often made of cotton, linen, wool, or silk. Example: Sie kaufte ein schönes Tuch für ein neues Kleid. (She bought a beautiful piece of cloth for a new dress.)
• Cleaning cloth: A cloth used for cleaning, wiping, or drying. Example: Gib mir bitte das Staubtuch. (Please give me the dust cloth.) (Often as a compound word like Putztuch, Wischtuch, Geschirrtuch)
• Handkerchief: A small cloth, usually made of fabric or paper, for blowing one's nose. Example: Er zog sein Tuch aus der Tasche. (He pulled his handkerchief out of his pocket.)
• Scarf/Shawl: A cloth worn around the neck or head, often as a fashion accessory or for protection. Example: Sie trug ein elegantes Seidentuch. (She wore an elegant silk scarf.)
• Tablecloth: A cloth used to cover a table. Example: Das Tischtuch hat einen Fleck. (The tablecloth has a stain.) (Also often a compound word)

🚨 Attention: Although there are various specific types of cloths (Taschentuch, Halstuch), the basic word is always neuter (das Tuch).

🧐 Grammar of "das Tuch" in Detail

The word "Tuch" is a neuter noun. Here is its declension:

📝 Example Sentences

• Nominative: Das Tuch liegt auf dem Tisch. (The cloth is lying on the table.)
• Genitive: Die Farbe des Tuches ist blau. (The color of the cloth is blue.)
• Dativ: Ich wische mit dem Tuch den Staub weg. (I wipe away the dust with the cloth.)
• Accusative: Sie faltet das Tuch sorgfältig. (She folds the cloth carefully.)
• Plural: Die bunten Tücher wehen im Wind. (The colorful cloths/scarves are blowing in the wind.)

💡 How to use "das Tuch"?

"Das Tuch" is a very versatile word. Here are some typical contexts:

• Household: People often talk about Putztücher (cleaning cloths), Geschirrtücher (dish towels), Staubtücher (dust cloths). Example: Nimm ein feuchtes Tuch, um den Tisch abzuwischen. (Take a damp cloth to wipe the table.)
• Personal hygiene: The Taschentuch (handkerchief) is an everyday item. Fabric handkerchiefs were common in the past, now paper tissues are more frequent.
• Fashion: As a Halstuch (neckerchief), Kopftuch (headscarf), or Schal (scarf), the Tuch is a fashion accessory. Example: Ein Seidentuch kann ein Outfit aufwerten. (A silk scarf can enhance an outfit.)
• Idioms: There are several idiomatic expressions:
  • "Das Tuch zerschneiden" (lit. 'to cut the cloth'): To end a relationship or connection.
  • "Fühlung aufnehmen / auf Tuchfühlung gehen" (lit. 'to go on cloth-feeling'): To seek or have close contact.
  • "Unter Tuch und Fach bringen" (lit. 'to bring under cloth and compartment'): To successfully complete something, get something done.

Compared to Stoff (fabric, material), Tuch often refers to a specific, defined piece, while Stoff can also mean the material itself (e.g., sold by the meter).

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic

Think of neuter things often being inanimate objects or materials. Cloth is a material. Many simple, basic materials or objects in German are neuter ('das'). Imagine a generic, neutral piece of cloth: das Tuch.

Meaning Mnemonic

"Tuch" sounds a bit like the English word "touch". You often touch a Tuch (cloth, handkerchief, scarf).

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

Risk of Confusion?

The word "Tuch" is quite distinct. Confusion is unlikely.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Lehrer: "Fritzchen, nenne mir drei berühmte Tücher!"
Fritzchen: "Das Tischtuch, das Handtuch und das 'Ich-hab-Schnupfen'-Tuch!"

English Translation: The teacher asks: "Fritzchen, name three famous cloths!"
Fritzchen: "The tablecloth, the hand towel, and the 'I-have-a-cold'-cloth (handkerchief)!"

✒️ Poem about the Tuch

German:
Ein Tuch, so weich, mal bunt, mal schlicht,
es trocknet Tränen im Gesicht.
Als Schal hält warm es Hals und Ohr,
als Tischtuch dient's dem Gedeck davor.
Ein Wischtuch nimmt den Staub geschwind,
das Tuch, vielseitig wie der Wind.

English Translation:
A cloth, so soft, sometimes colorful, sometimes plain,
it dries tears upon the face.
As a scarf, it keeps neck and ear warm,
as a tablecloth, it serves the setting before.
A wiping cloth quickly takes the dust,
the cloth, versatile as the wind.

❓ Little Riddle

German:
Ich kann bunt sein oder weiß,
\ich helf' dir bei Schweiß und bei heiß.
Man putzt damit Nasen,
wischt Staub von den Vasen.
Was bin ich, mal groß und mal klein?

(Lösung: das Tuch)

English Translation:
I can be colorful or white,
\I help you with sweat and when it's hot.
People clean noses with me,
\wipe dust from the vases.
What am I, sometimes big and sometimes small?

(Answer: das Tuch / the cloth)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

Compound Words (Komposita)

"Tuch" is a very productive base word for compound nouns. Some examples:

• Geschirrtuch: Dish towel
• Handtuch: Hand towel
• Kopftuch: Headscarf
• Putztuch: Cleaning cloth
• Staubtuch: Dust cloth
• Taschentuch: Handkerchief (lit. 'pocket cloth')
• Tischtuch: Tablecloth (lit. 'table cloth')
• Wolltuch: Woolen cloth
• Seidentuch: Silk cloth/scarf

Etymology (Word Origin)

The word "Tuch" comes from the Old High German "tuoh", which originally meant "stuff" or "fabric" in a general sense. The association with woven material is very old.