der / das  Chart

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/t͡ʃaʁt/

📊 What Exactly is a Chart? Two Articles, Two Meanings!

The word Chart is an anglicism used in German. It has two different genders, each associated with a different meaning:

🚨 Attention: The distinction is important! Use der Chart for rankings and das Chart for diagrams to avoid misunderstandings.

📜 Grammar in Detail: Declension of Chart

Since there are two articles, there are two declension patterns. Both forms are weak nouns in the plural (ending -s).

Masculine: Der Chart (Hit Parade)

Neuter: Das Chart (Diagram)

📝 Example Sentences

• Der Chart: Dieser Song ist seit Wochen in den Charts. (This song has been in the charts for weeks.)
• Der Chart: Wer führt aktuell die Single-Charts an? (Who is currently leading the single charts?)
• Das Chart: Bitte fügen Sie das Chart zur Präsentation hinzu. (Please add the chart to the presentation.)
• Das Chart: Die Charts in diesem Bericht sind sehr aufschlussreich. (The charts in this report are very insightful.)

💡 Everyday Application: When to Say What?

The correct usage clearly depends on the context:

• Are you talking about music, rankings, or popularity scales? Then use der Chart (masculine). Typical collocations include: in die Charts kommen (to enter the charts), die Charts anführen (to top the charts), aus den Charts fallen (to drop out of the charts), Album-Charts, Single-Charts.
• Is it about visualizing data, statistics, or processes? Then das Chart (neuter) is the right choice. Typical collocations are: ein Chart erstellen (to create a chart), das Chart zeigt (the chart shows), Balken-Chart (bar chart), Torten-Chart (pie chart), Flow-Chart.

In the plural (die Charts), the distinction is often less critical because the form is the same, but the singular reveals the meaning.

⚠️ Although both forms originate from English, this clear differentiation by meaning and gender has become established in German.

🧠 Mnemonics for "Chart"

For the article:

• DER Hit stürmt die Charts (Hit is masculine in German - 'der Hit').
• DAS Diagramm zeigt die Daten (Diagramm is neuter in German - 'das Diagramm').

For the meaning:

• Think of a rockstar (masculine association) -> der Chart (music).
• Think of a data sheet (neuter association via 'das Blatt') -> das Chart (diagram).

🔄 Synonyms and Related Terms

Similar, potentially confusing words:

• Karte: Usually geographical (e.g., Landkarte - map), although process maps (Prozesskarten) exist.
• Plan: More like an intention or a schematic drawing (e.g., Bauplan - blueprint).

😂 A Little Chart Joke

German: Warum mögen Statistiker keine Musik-Charts?

Weil sie immer nur die Spitzen sehen, aber nie die Standardabweichung der Hits!

English Translation: Why don't statisticians like music charts?

Because they only ever see the peaks, but never the standard deviation of the hits!

🎵 A Chart Poem

German:

Ob der Chart, der Lieder zählt,
Wo jeder Hit die Hörer quält,
Ob das Chart, das Zahlen malt,
Und uns den Trend ganz klar entfaltet.
Zwei Wörter, doch die Welt ist weit,
Im Klang und in der Datenzeit.

English Translation:

Whether der Chart, that counts the songs,
Where every hit torments the throngs,
Or das Chart, that paints with data bright,
And shows the trend with clear insight.
Two words, yet the world is wide,
In sound's domain and data's tide.

❓ Chart Riddle

German:

Ich zeige Daten, bunt und klar,
Als Diagramm bin ich oft da.
Doch auch Musik, die hoch im Kurs,
Bring ich als Liste, ohne Furcht.

Mal bin ich männlich, mal bin ich's nicht,
Je nach dem Sinn, der aus mir spricht.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:

I show data, colorful and clear,
As a diagram, I'm often here.
But also music, riding high,
I list it out beneath the sky.

Sometimes I'm masculine, sometimes I'm not,
Depending on the meaning sought.

What am I?

Solution: Der Chart / Das Chart

🌐 Origin and Other Info

The word "Chart" comes directly from English. In English, "chart" means both diagram/map and (music) table/ranking list. In German, the interesting differentiation by gender for the two main meanings has established itself.

• Word Composition: Often part of compound words like Balkenchart (bar chart), Tortenchart (pie chart), Flowchart, Singlecharts (single charts), Albumcharts (album charts).