der  Kleiderschrank

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈklaɪ̯dɐˌʃʁaŋk/

🚪 What exactly is a 'Kleiderschrank'?

A Kleiderschrank (der) is a piece of furniture primarily used for storing clothes. In English, this translates to a wardrobe or closet. Typically, it's a cabinet with doors, behind which you find shelves, drawers, or a rail for hanging clothes (eine Kleiderstange).

It helps to store clothes neatly (ordentlich), protected (geschützt), and clearly arranged (übersichtlich). The word is a compound of Kleider (clothes, plural of das Kleid - dress, but used more generally here) and Schrank (cabinet/cupboard).

Since 'Schrank' is masculine (der Schrank), 'Kleiderschrank' is also masculine: der Kleiderschrank.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: 'Der Kleiderschrank'

The word "Kleiderschrank" is a masculine noun. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

• Nominative: Der Kleiderschrank steht im Schlafzimmer. (The wardrobe is in the bedroom.)
• Genitive: Die Tür des Kleiderschranks quietscht ein wenig. (The wardrobe's door squeaks a little.)
• Dative: Ich lege die Wäsche in dem Kleiderschrank ab. (I put the laundry away in the wardrobe.)
• Accusative: Wir brauchen einen neuen Kleiderschrank. (We need a new wardrobe.)
• Plural: In dem Möbelhaus gibt es viele verschiedene Kleiderschränke. (In the furniture store, there are many different wardrobes.)

🛋️ Everyday Use: The Wardrobe Context

The term Kleiderschrank is used in everyday language to refer specifically to the piece of furniture for storing clothes.

• Context: People talk about the Kleiderschrank when furnishing an apartment (eine Wohnung einrichten), tidying up (aufräumen), putting away laundry (Wäsche verstauen), or buying furniture (Möbel kaufen).
• Distinction: While Schrank is a general term for a storage cabinet (e.g., Küchenschrank - kitchen cupboard, Bücherschrank - bookcase), Kleiderschrank specifically denotes the one for clothes. A Kommode (chest of drawers) is usually lower and only has drawers, whereas a Kleiderschrank often includes a rail (Kleiderstange) for hanging clothes. A Garderobe can be an open piece of furniture in the hallway (hall stand/coat rack) or sometimes used synonymously with Kleiderschrank, often focusing on jackets and coats.
• Typical Verbs: öffnen (to open), schließen (to close), einräumen (to put in/store), ausräumen (to clear out), aufräumen (to tidy up), kaufen (to buy), aufbauen (to assemble).

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Here are some memory aids for the article and meaning of "Kleiderschrank":

For the article (der): Remember der Schrank (the cupboard/cabinet). Most German compound nouns take the gender of the last part of the word. Since it's der Schrank, it's also der Kleiderschrank.

For the meaning: Visualize Kleider (clothes) hanging or lying inside a Schrank (cabinet). The word itself literally describes its function: a cabinet for clothes.

🔄 Word Family: Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but Different Words

• Kommode: Chest of drawers (lower cabinet, usually only drawers).
• Anrichte / Sideboard: Often in the dining or living room for dishes, etc.
• Wäscheschrank: Linen closet (specifically for bedding, towels, etc., often in the bathroom or hallway).

😂 A Wardrobe Joke

German: Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Wo waren Sie zur Tatzeit?" Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Im Kleiderschrank, Herr Richter." Fragt der Richter: "Was haben Sie denn da gemacht?" Sagt der Angeklagte: "Nach Kleidern gesucht?"

English Translation: The judge asks the defendant: "Where were you at the time of the crime?" The defendant answers: "In the wardrobe, Your Honor." The judge asks: "And what were you doing there?" The defendant says: "Looking for clothes?" 🤔

🧥 Wardrobe Rhymes

German:
Im Zimmer steht er, groß und breit,
der Kleiderschrank, für alle Zeit.
Er birgt die Hemden, Hosen, Röcke,
versteckt auch mal die einzelne Socke.
Mal aufgeräumt, mal kunterbunt,
tut seinen Dienst zu jeder Stund'.

English Translation:
In the room it stands, large and wide,
the wardrobe, for all time.
It holds the shirts, trousers, skirts,
sometimes hides the single sock alert.
Sometimes tidy, sometimes a colourful mess,
it does its duty, nevertheless.

❓ Guess What: A Furniture Riddle

German:
Ich habe Türen, doch kein Haus.
Ich hüte Schätze, Tag ein, Tag aus.
Mal hängen sie, mal liegen sie flach,
vor Staub geschützt, unter meinem Dach.
Ich steh' im Zimmer, meistens still,
und ordne Kleidung, wie man's will.

Wer bin ich?

English Translation:
I have doors, but no house.
I guard treasures, day in, day out.
Sometimes they hang, sometimes they lie flat,
protected from dust, under my hat (roof).
I stand in the room, usually still,
and organize clothes, according to your will.

What am I?

🧩 More Insights: Trivia and Composition

Word Composition:

The word "Kleiderschrank" is a compound noun (ein Kompositum), made up of:

• Kleider: Plural of "das Kleid" (dress), but here meaning clothes in general.
• Schrank: Masculine noun ("der Schrank"), meaning cabinet or cupboard.

The gender (das Genus) is determined by the last part of the compound (the base word), therefore der Schrank → der Kleiderschrank.

Cultural Note: The Kleiderschrank is often a central piece of furniture in German bedrooms and can reflect a person's sense of order (Ordnungssinn) or personal style.