der / das  Account

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈakaʊnt/

📖 What does 'Account' mean?

The word Account is a loanword from English (an Anglizismus). It's established in German but used with different articles, which can cause confusion.

1. Der Account (masculine):

• This is the predominantly used and Duden-recommended form.
• It typically refers to a user account or user access for online services, social networks, email, computers, or software.
• Examples: E-Mail-Account, Social-Media-Account, Admin-Account.

2. Das Account (neuter):

• This form is less common and often considered non-standard or is used less frequently.
• Sometimes it's used by analogy with das Konto (bank account), especially in commercial or financial contexts, although the German word Konto is usually preferred here.
• 🚨 Attention: Using 'das Account' might be perceived as less correct, especially in technical contexts where 'der Account' dominates.

📐 Grammar & Declension of 'Account'

The noun "Account" is an Anglicism and is declined. The plural form is usually "Accounts". Here are the declension tables for both genders:

Declension "der Account" (masculine - common)

Declension "das Account" (neuter - rare/non-standard)

Example Sentences

1. Ich habe mein Passwort für den Account vergessen.
   (I forgot my password for the account.)
2. Bitte erstellen Sie einen neuen Account für den Mitarbeiter.
   (Please create a new account for the employee.)
3. Wir müssen die Zugriffe für diese Accounts überprüfen.
   (We need to check the access for these accounts.)
4. ⚠️ In der Buchhaltung wird manchmal von 'das Account' gesprochen, aber meistens sagt man 'das Konto'.
   (In accounting, 'das Account' is sometimes mentioned, but usually, people say 'das Konto'.)

💡 How to use 'Account'?

• Context: "Der Account" is almost exclusively used in the context of technology, internet, and software. It's the standard word for digital user accounts.
• Comparison with "Konto": While "account" in English can also mean a bank account, in German, the word "Konto" (das Konto) is almost always used for that. Saying Bank-Account sounds unusual in German.
• Denglish: "Account" is a typical example of Denglish (the mix of German and English). In more formal or less tech-savvy contexts, some people prefer German synonyms like Benutzerkonto or Nutzerkonto.
• Recommendation: Use "der Account" for digital access/logins. Be aware that "das Account" is rare and might be perceived as incorrect. For financial matters, use "das Konto".

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

For the article (der): Think of der Benutzer (the user) or der Nutzer (the user), who uses the account. Most user accounts belong to a person (often referred to with a masculine pronoun generically in German).

For the meaning: "Account" sounds just like the English word. Imagine you are accounting for your digital access points: an email account, a social media account...

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but different words:

• Konto (das): As mentioned, primarily for bank accounts or in accounting. Not synonymous with the digital "Account".

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Computer seinen Account gesperrt?

(Why did the computer lock its account?)

Er hatte zu viele Cookies gegessen und sein Passwort vergessen – wahrscheinlich lag es auf einem Zettel unter der Tastatur! 🍪

(It had eaten too many cookies and forgotten its password – it was probably on a note under the keyboard!)

✍️ Poem about the Account

Im Netz, da brauchst du ihn gar sehr,
Den Account, komm schnell hierher.
Mit Name, Passwort, gut bedacht,
Hat er dir Zugang aufgemacht.

(Online, you need it very much,
The account, come quickly hither.
With name, password, well considered,
It has opened access for you.)

Ob E-Mail, Spiel, ob Forum bunt,
Er ist der Schlüssel, tut es kund.
Vergiss ihn nicht, halt ihn geheim,
Sonst bist du offline und allein.

(Whether email, game, or colorful forum,
It is the key, makes it known.
Don't forget it, keep it secret,
Or you'll be offline and alone.)

🤔 Little Riddle

Ich habe Schlüssel, doch kein Schloss,
Bin digital, ganz ohne Tross.
Man braucht mich online, hier und dort,
Bin dein persönlicher, sicherer Hort.

Mal heiß ich 'der', ganz selten 'das',
Was bin ich wohl, sag mir mal was?

(I have keys, but no lock,
Am digital, without any entourage.
You need me online, here and there,
I am your personal, secure refuge.)

(Sometimes I'm called 'der', very rarely 'das',
What am I, tell me that?)

Solution: Der Account (The Account)

ℹ️ Other Information

• Origin: The word comes directly from English ("account"), where it originally meant "calculation," "report," or "financial account." The meaning "user account" developed with the rise of the internet.
• Pronunciation: Pronunciation is based on English: [əˈkaʊ̯nt].
• Flexibility: Although "der Account" dominates, the existence of "das Account" (albeit rare) shows how the German language attempts to integrate loanwords into its gender system, sometimes with variations.