der
Kitsch
🖼️ What exactly is Kitsch?
Der Kitsch refers to objects, works of art, or representations that are perceived as tasteless, overly sentimental, cheap, or mass-produced. Kitsch often tries to imitate sophisticated art but fails to achieve its depth or originality, aiming instead for superficial emotions or effects.
It is mostly a pejorative term, although Kitsch is sometimes used ironically or deliberately. The term is subjective; what one person considers Kitsch, another might find valuable.
🚨 Important: In German, 'Kitsch' is almost exclusively used with the article 'der' and is masculine.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Waste → mostly masculine.
🧐 Grammar under the microscope: Der Kitsch
'Kitsch' is a masculine noun. It's often used as an uncountable noun (like 'water' or 'sand'), so the plural form is rare and only used when referring to different types of kitsch.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Kitsch |
| Genitive | des | Kitsches / Kitsch |
| Dative | dem | Kitsch |
| Accusative | den | Kitsch |
The genitive form 'Kitsches' is more common, but 'Kitsch' is also possible.
Declension Plural - Rare
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Kitsche |
| Genitive | der | Kitsche |
| Dative | den | Kitschen |
| Accusative | die | Kitsche |
⚠️ The plural 'die Kitsche' is very unusual; the singular is typically used collectively.
📚 Example Sentences
- Das Regal war voll mit Kitsch aus aller Welt. (The shelf was full of kitsch from all over the world.)
- Er hat eine besondere Vorliebe für den Kitsch der 50er Jahre. (He has a special fondness for the kitsch of the 50s.)
- Die Gartenzwerge wurden von vielen als Gipfel des Kitsches betrachtet. (The garden gnomes were considered the pinnacle of kitsch by many.)
- Kannst du diesen billigen Kitsch bitte wegräumen? (Can you please put away this cheap kitsch?)
💡 How to use 'der Kitsch'?
Der Kitsch is mainly used to describe objects or art considered inferior, overloaded, sentimental, or tasteless. The connotation is almost always negative or at least critical.
- Context: Art criticism, design evaluation, description of decoration or souvenirs.
- Contrast: Kitsch is the opposite of 'echte Kunst' (real art), 'Originalität' (originality), 'guter Geschmack' (good taste), or 'Schlichtheit' (simplicity).
- Subjectivity: What counts as Kitsch heavily depends on personal taste and cultural background. Examples include the 'Gartenzwerg' (garden gnome) or singing plastic fish.
- Ironic Use: Sometimes Kitsch is collected or used deliberately to make an ironic statement ('Camp' aesthetic).
Common phrases include 'billiger Kitsch' (cheap kitsch), 'sentimentaler Kitsch' (sentimental kitsch), or 'religiöser Kitsch' (religious kitsch).
🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Kitsch'
Remembering the article: Imagine a strong man (masculine -> DER) trying to pitch (sounds like Kitsch) some flashy, cheap jewelry at a fair – that's DER Kitsch.
Remembering the meaning: 'Kitsch' sounds a bit like 'kiss'. Imagine someone receiving an overly sentimental, gaudy gift sealed with a 'kiss' - it's pure Kitsch.
🔄 Opposites and Similarities: All about Kitsch
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Schund: trash, rubbish (often low-quality goods or literature).
- Ramsch: junk, cheap goods.
- Tand: trinkets, baubles (worthless, glittery ornaments).
- Nippes: knick-knacks, small decorative objects (can be, but isn't necessarily, kitsch).
- Geschmacklosigkeit: tastelessness (abstract noun).
Antonyms (Opposites)
- Kunst: art (implying originality, depth, aesthetic merit).
- Originalität: originality.
- Stil: style, good taste.
- Qualität: quality.
- Schlichtheit / Minimalismus: simplicity / minimalism.
⚠️ Caution: Words like 'Dekoration' (decoration) or 'Souvenir' are more neutral and not automatically Kitsch, even though some decorations or souvenirs can be kitschy.
😄 A little joke
Warum hat der Gartenzwerg Liebeskummer?
(Why is the garden gnome lovesick?)
Weil seine Angebetete gesagt hat: "Du bist mir einfach zu viel Kitsch!"
(Because his beloved said: "You're just too much kitsch for me!")
✍️ Poem about Kitsch
Ein Zwerg im Garten, bunt und klein,
(A gnome in the garden, colorful and small,)
Ein Hirsch, der röhrt im Sonnenschein.
(A deer that roars in the sunshine.)
Plastikblumen, grell und klar,
(Plastic flowers, bright and clear,)
Man nennt es Kitsch, Jahr für Jahr.
(They call it Kitsch, year after year.)
Doch heimlich, still, gibt man es zu,
(But secretly, quietly, one admits,)
Ein bisschen Kitsch gehört dazu!
(A little bit of Kitsch is part of it!)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich glitzre oft, bin selten echt,
(I often glitter, am rarely real,)
Dem einen lieb, dem andern schlecht.
(Dear to one, bad to another.)
Man findet mich auf Flohmarktständen,
(You find me at flea market stalls,)
In Souvenirläden, an allen Enden.
(In souvenir shops, everywhere.)
Ich bin sentimental und oft zu viel,
(I am sentimental and often too much,)
Und doch verfolge ich mein Ziel:
(And yet I pursue my goal:)
Ein Lächeln schnell, ein kurzer Blick,
(A quick smile, a brief glance,)
Was bin ich wohl, das bunte Stück?
(What am I, the colorful piece?)
Solution: Der Kitsch
🌐 More Tidbits
Word Origin: The exact origin of 'Kitsch' is disputed. One theory suggests it comes from the German verb 'kitschen' (to scrape up mud from the street) or 'verkitschen' (to hawk, sell cheaply). It emerged in Munich art circles in the 1860s/70s.
International Use: The word 'Kitsch' has been adopted into many other languages, including English, French, and Italian, retaining a similar meaning.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Kitsch?
The German word Kitsch is masculine: der Kitsch. It refers to tasteless, often mass-produced and overly sentimental objects or artworks. The plural ('die Kitsche') is very rare.