der / das  Keks

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/keːks/

🍪 What does 'Keks' mean?

The word Keks refers to a small, flat, sweet baked good, often eaten with coffee or tea. It's the German word for a cookie or biscuit. It originates from the English word "cakes" but became a singular noun in German.

Interestingly, Keks can have two articles:

• Der Keks (masculine): This is the most common form and considered standard German, especially in Northern and Central Germany.
• Das Keks (neuter): This form is mainly used in Southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It's sometimes also used to express a cuter or smaller feel, similar to a diminutive, although it's not a formal diminutive (like Kekslein/Kekschen would be).

🚨 Attention: Although both articles exist, der Keks is listed as the primary form in most dictionaries. The use of das Keks is regional or context-dependent.

🧐 Grammar: Der or Das Keks?

The declension of Keks depends on the article used.

Declension "der Keks" (masculine)

Declension "das Keks" (neuter)

☝️ Note: The plural form is identical for both genders: die Kekse.

Example Sentences

• (masculine) Der Keks liegt auf dem Teller. (The cookie is on the plate.)
• (masculine) Der Geschmack des Kekses ist schokoladig. (The taste of the cookie is chocolatey.)
• (masculine) Ich gebe dem Keks noch etwas Zuckerguss. (I'm adding some icing to the cookie.)
• (masculine) Er isst den Keks zum Kaffee. (He eats the cookie with his coffee.)
• (neuter, regional) Gib mir bitte das Keks. (Please give me the cookie.)
• (neuter, regional) Die Form des Kekses ist rund. (The shape of the cookie is round.)
• (neuter, regional) Das Kind freut sich über das Keks. (The child is happy about the cookie.)
• (Plural) Die Dose ist voller Kekse. (The tin is full of cookies.)

🗣️ How to use 'Keks'?

The choice between der Keks and das Keks mainly depends on the region:

• Der Keks: Standard German, common in large parts of Germany. Usually preferred in more formal contexts and written German.
• Das Keks: Colloquial, primarily used in Southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Can sometimes also be used to express affection or smallness, but it's not an official diminutive form.

Typical Contexts:

• When baking: "Wir backen heute Kekse." (We are baking cookies today.)
• With coffee/tea: "Möchtest du einen Keks zum Kaffee?" (Would you like a cookie with your coffee?)
• As a treat for children: "Nur noch ein Keks vor dem Schlafengehen." (Just one more cookie before bedtime.)
• In recipes: "Zerbrösle die Kekse für den Kuchenboden." (Crumble the cookies for the cake base.)

Comparison:

• Keks vs. Plätzchen: Plätzchen is often used synonymously, especially around Christmas (Weihnachtsplätzchen - Christmas cookies). Keks is the more general term for industrially or artisanally produced baked goods of this type.
• Keks vs. Biskuit: Biskuit can refer to a similar type of biscuit/cookie (e.g., Löffelbiskuit - ladyfinger), but often also refers to a lighter, airier cake batter (Biskuitteig - sponge cake batter).

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

For the article: Think of Der Cookie Monster (masculine 'der') from the North gobbling up all the cookies. In the South, perhaps das Keks is smaller and sweeter, like das Kind (neuter 'das', meaning child).

For the meaning: The word Keks sounds like the English plural "cakes", but it's just one small, crispy bite – a single cookie/biscuit!

🔄 Synonyms & Similar Words

Risk of Confusion:

• Koks: Sounds similar, but completely different meaning (cocaine or coke fuel). 🚨 Be careful with pronunciation!

😂 A Keks Joke

German: Warum ging der Keks zum Arzt? – Weil er sich krümelig fühlte!

English: Why did the cookie go to the doctor? – Because he felt crummy! 😄

✒️ Keks Poetry

German:
Ob der Keks, ob das Keks, ganz egal,
Hauptsache, es schmeckt phänomenal.
Zum Kaffee, Tee, Kakao,
Ein Keks macht froh, sowieso!
Knusprig, süß, ein kleiner Traum,
Passt in jeden Mund und Raum.

English Translation:
Whether 'der Keks' or 'das Keks', it doesn't matter,
The main thing is, it tastes phenomenal.
With coffee, tea, cocoa,
A cookie brings joy, anyway!
Crispy, sweet, a little dream,
Fits in every mouth and room.

❓ Keks Riddle

German:
Ich bin klein, oft rund und flach,
mal mit Schoko, mal vom Blech ganz sacht.
Man knabbert mich gern, Stück für Stück,
bring' süßes, kleines Glück.
Mal heiß' ich 'der', mal heiß' ich 'das',
Was bin ich wohl für ein Spaß?

English Translation:
I am small, often round and flat,
Sometimes with chocolate, sometimes gently from the baking sheet.
People like to nibble me, piece by piece,
Bringing sweet, small happiness.
Sometimes I'm called 'der', sometimes 'das',
What fun thing could I be?

Solution: Der / Das Keks (The cookie/biscuit)

💡 More about 'Keks'

• Etymology: The word "Keks" was borrowed from the English plural "cakes" [keɪks] in the early 20th century and established as a singular noun in German. Hermann Bahlsen even trademarked the word "Keks" in 1911, but the protection was later revoked.
• Trivia: The famous Cookie Monster (Krümelmonster) from Sesame Street (Sesamstraße) loves Kekse more than anything!
• Compounds: Butterkeks (butter cookie), Schokokeks (chocolate cookie), Doppelkeks (sandwich cookie), Haferkeks (oat cookie), Keksdose (cookie jar), Keksboden (cookie crust for cakes).