der  Akt

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/akt/

🎭 What does "der Akt" mean?

The word der Akt (plural: die Akte) is a masculine noun with several meanings:

• Theatre/Opera 🎭: A main section of a play or opera. Example: Das Drama hat fünf Akte. (The drama has five acts.)
• Art 🎨: An artistic representation of the nude human body (drawing, painting, sculpture). Often referred to as an *Aktstudie* (nude study) or *Aktzeichnung* (nude drawing). Example: Im Museum hingen mehrere Akte von berühmten Malern. (There were several nudes by famous painters hanging in the museum.)
• Act/Action/Proceeding 📜: An action, deed, or process, often with a formal or official character. Example: Die Unterzeichnung des Vertrags war ein wichtiger Akt. (The signing of the treaty was an important act.) Der Staatsakt wurde live übertragen. (The state ceremony was broadcast live.)
• File/Document (mostly plural) 📁: Especially in the plural die Akten, it refers to a collection of documents relating to a specific case or matter, often in a bureaucratic or legal context. The singular *der Akt* for a single document is rare; *die Akte* (feminine) is more common here. 🚨 Caution: Potential confusion with die Akte (feminine, singular for a single file/folder)! However, the plural is the same for both genders: die Akten. Example: Der Anwalt benötigte die Akten zum Fall Müller. (The lawyer needed the files for the Müller case.) (plural of der Akt or die Akte)

📊 Grammar in Detail: Der Akt

"Akt" is a masculine noun. Here are the declension tables:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Theatre: Der zweite Akt des Stücks war besonders spannend.
   (The second act of the play was particularly exciting.)
2. Art: Sie zeichnet gern Akte mit Kohle.
   (She likes drawing nudes with charcoal.)
3. Action: Die Eheschließung ist ein feierlicher Akt.
   (Marriage is a solemn act.)
4. Documents (Plural): Bitte legen Sie diese Papiere zu den Akten.
   (Please add these papers to the files.)

💡 How to use "der Akt"?

• Context is Key: The meaning always depends on the context. Are you talking about *Theater*, *Kunst* (art), a formal *Handlung* (action), or *Bürokratie* (bureaucracy)?
• Theatre & Art: Here, *der Akt* is clearly defined as a section or a nude representation.
• Formal Action: Often used for symbolic or legal actions (e.g., *Staatsakt* - state ceremony, *Gnadenakt* - act of grace, *Akt der Verzweiflung* - act of desperation).
• Bureaucracy/Law (Plural): Almost exclusively used in the plural *die Akten* for collections of documents. The phrase *"ad acta legen"* means to file something away as completed.
• Difference from "die Tat": While *der Akt* often describes a formal or symbolic action, *die Tat* typically refers to a concrete, performed action, sometimes with a moral judgment (*gute Tat* - good deed, *Straftat* - criminal offense).
• Difference from "die Akte": The feminine noun *die Akte* refers to a single file, folder, or case file. The plural is identical: *die Akten*.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Akt"

1. Article Aid (der): Think of der Mann (the man) involved in a formal Akt (like a *Staatsakt*), or der male artist painting der Akt (nude). Or: A play has several acts, but often *der* most important one is *der* last one (masculine ending sound association).
2. Meaning Aid: The word *Akt* sounds like the English "act". An "act" can be an *action* (*Handlung*), part of a play (*Theaterakt*), or something you actively do, like drawing (*Aktzeichnung*). Even *Akten* (files) in an office require active handling.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words:

• die Akte (f.): Singular for a single file/folder/case file. Plural is identical: die Akten.
• die Tat (f.): A concrete action or deed.
• die Aktie (f.): A share or stock in a company (unrelated to 'Akt'!).

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Haben Sie die Müller-Akte ad acta gelegt?" Antwortet der Neue: "Nein, aber ich habe sie in den Aktenvernichter gegeben. War das auch okay?"

English Translation: The boss asks the new employee: "Have you filed away the Müller file (ad acta)?" The newbie replies: "No, but I put it through the shredder. Was that okay too?" 📁💥

📜 Poem about Akt

German:
Im Theater fällt der Vorhang schwer,
der erste Akt, er ist nicht mehr.
Im Atelier, ganz ohne Scheu,
ein Akt entsteht auf Leinwand neu.
Im Amt, da wächst der Stapel sacht,
von Akten, die viel Arbeit macht'.
Ein Wort, drei Welten, klar und schlicht,
der Akt zeigt stets ein neu' Gesicht.

English Translation:
In theatre, the curtain heavily falls,
The first act, it's gone beyond recalls.
In the studio, without shyness or fright,
A nude emerges on canvas bright.
In the office, the pile grows slow and vast,
Of files, a demanding task.
One word, three worlds, simple and plain,
The act always shows a new face again.

🧩 Little Riddle

German:
Ich teile Dramen und die Oper,
bin auf Papier oft ein Stopper.
Mal nackte Haut, mal ernste Tat,
ich bin...?
Lösung: der Akt

English Translation:
I divide dramas and the opera stage,
On paper, I often turn a new page (or stop progress).
Sometimes bare skin, sometimes a serious deed,
I am...?
Solution: der Akt (the act)

🌐 Other Information & Trivia

• Etymology: The word "Akt" comes from the Latin word actus, meaning "action", "activity", or "performance".
• Compounds: There are many compound words, such as Staatsakt (state ceremony), Festakt (ceremonial act), Kraftakt (feat of strength), Geschlechtsakt (sexual act), Aktmodell (nude model), Aktenkoffer (briefcase), Aktenzeichen (file reference number), Aktenordner (file binder).
• Idiom: *"Etwas ad acta legen"* means to consider something finished and file it away (literally: to the files).