der  Aufkleber

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʊfˌkleːbɐ/

📌 What exactly is an Aufkleber?

An Aufkleber is a printed piece of paper, plastic, or other material with an adhesive back, intended to be stuck onto a surface. You stick it auf (onto) something.

In German, the word is masculine: der Aufkleber.

• Meaning 1: A small, often decorative or informative image or text designed to be stuck somewhere (a sticker).
• Meaning 2: A label with information (e.g., price, address) designed to be stuck somewhere (a label).

🚨 There are no other articles for this word; it's always der Aufkleber.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Der Aufkleber

The noun "Aufkleber" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Das Kind klebte einen bunten Aufkleber auf sein Heft.
   (The child stuck a colorful sticker on his notebook.)
2. Der Preis steht auf dem kleinen Aufkleber auf der Rückseite.
   (The price is on the small label on the back.)
3. Entfernen Sie bitte den alten Aufkleber, bevor Sie den neuen anbringen.
   (Please remove the old sticker before applying the new one.)
4. Die Stoßstange meines Autos ist voller lustiger Aufkleber von unseren Reisen.
   (My car's bumper is full of funny stickers from our trips.)

💡 How to Use "Aufkleber" Correctly

"Aufkleber" is a very common word in German.

• Context: You find Aufkleber everywhere – on products (Preisaufkleber, Markenaufkleber - price labels, brand stickers), cars (Stoßstangenaufkleber - bumper stickers), laptops, notebooks, as advertising material, or simply for decoration.
• Distinction from similar words:
  • Etikett (das): Often used synonymously, but Etikett sometimes emphasizes the informational character more (e.g., Weinetikett - wine label, Adressetikett - address label). An Etikett doesn't always have to be adhesive (e.g., sewn into clothing).
  • Sticker (der): A commonly used, more colloquial synonym, often for colorful, decorative stickers. Borrowed from English, but masculine in German!
  • Plakette (die): Usually made of metal or hard plastic and often screwed on or firmly attached, not just stuck (e.g., TÜV-Plakette - vehicle inspection sticker).
• Compounds: The word forms many compounds, e.g., Preisaufkleber (price sticker), Werbeaufkleber (advertising sticker), Adressaufkleber (address label), Wandaufkleber (wall decal/sticker), Autoaufkleber (car sticker).

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: Think of putting a sticker auf (on) something. Imagine a masculine figure, like a poster boy, sticking der sticker. The "-er" ending of Aufkleber often indicates a masculine noun (though not always!).

Meaning Mnemonic: The word literally comes from "auf" (on) + "kleben" (to stick/glue). An Aufkleber is something you stick on a surface. It tells you what it is in the name!

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Aufkleber

⚠️ Similar but Different Words

• Klebstoff/Kleber (der): The substance that makes the sticker sticky (glue, adhesive).
• Plakat (das): Larger than a sticker, usually paper, for hanging or sticking on walls (poster).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Haben Sie schon die Preise auf die neuen Produkte geklebt?"
Sagt der Mitarbeiter: "Ja, Chef! War gar nicht so einfach, die kleinen Aufkleber in die Schreibmaschine einzuspannen!"

Translation:
The boss asks the new employee: "Have you stuck the prices on the new products yet?"
The employee replies: "Yes, boss! It wasn't easy getting those little stickers into the typewriter!"

📜 Little Poem

Der Aufkleber, klein und fein,
passt auf jedes Auto, jedes Bein.
Mal bunt, mal schlicht, mal laut,
hat sich auf die Oberfläche getraut.
Er klebt fest, bei Wind und Wetter,
manchmal wird er sogar zum Retter.
Zeigt 'nen Preis, 'ne Marke, 'nen Spruch,
so ein Aufkleber ist selten Fluch.

Translation:
The sticker, small and fine,
fits on every car, every leg's line.
Sometimes colorful, simple, or loud,
it has dared onto the surface proud.
It sticks fast, in wind and weather's test,
sometimes it even becomes a rescuer blessed.
Shows a price, a brand, a phrase,
such a sticker is seldom a curse in these days.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich habe eine klebrige Seite, aber keine Hände.
Ich trage Bilder oder Worte, reise durch die Lande.
Man klebt mich auf Pakete, Hefte oder an die Wand.
Was bin ich, sag es schnell, du hast es gleich erkannt!

Translation:
I have a sticky side, but no hands.
I carry pictures or words, travel through the lands.
People stick me on packages, notebooks, or on the wall.
What am I? Say it quickly, you've nearly got it all!

Solution: Der Aufkleber (The sticker)

🧩 Other Interesting Details

Word Composition

The word "Aufkleber" is a noun derived from the verb "aufkleben" (to stick on).

• auf- (prefix, indicates direction/position: onto something)
• kleben (verb: to stick, to glue)
• -er (suffix, often forms an agent noun here – something used for the action or performing it)

So, an Aufkleber is literally something used for sticking onto things.

Trivia

• The first self-adhesive sticker was invented in the 1930s by R. Stanton Avery (Avery Labels).
• Collecting Aufkleber (stickers) is a popular hobby, especially among children.