der
Kragen
👔 What exactly is a Kragen?
The German word der Kragen primarily refers to the collar of a piece of clothing (like a shirt, blouse, jacket, or coat) that surrounds or encircles the neck. It can have various shapes (e.g., Stehkragen - stand-up collar, Umlegekragen - turn-down collar, Bubikragen - Peter Pan collar).
In a broader sense, "Kragen" can also refer to the neck area of animals or be used in idiomatic expressions.
⚠️ Attention: This word only uses the article der. Confusion is unlikely.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-en → mostly masculine.
1. All diminutives with '-chen' are neutral, like 'das Mädchen'. 2. Nouns derived from verbs are always neutral ('das Schrieben'). 3. There are many -en words, we won't list them all.
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Kragen
The noun "Kragen" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Kragen |
| Genitive | des | Kragens |
| Dative | dem | Kragen |
| Accusative | den | Kragen |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Kragen |
| Genitive | der | Kragen |
| Dative | den | Kragen |
| Accusative | die | Kragen |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der Kragen meines Hemdes ist schmutzig. (The collar of my shirt is dirty.)
- Er packte den Dieb am Kragen. (He grabbed the thief by the collar.)
- Die verschiedenen Kragen dieser Mäntel gefallen mir gut. (I like the different collars of these coats.)
- Dem Chef ist heute wohl der Kragen geplatzt. (The boss probably lost his temper today. / Lit.: The boss's collar burst today.)
💡 How to Use "Kragen" Correctly
"Kragen" is mostly used in the context of clothing:
- Hemdkragen (shirt collar), Jackenkragen (jacket collar), Pelzkragen (fur collar)
- Der Kragen ist hochgeschlossen / umgelegt. (The collar is buttoned up / turned down.)
Very often, "Kragen" appears in fixed idiomatic expressions:
- Jemandem platzt der Kragen: Someone gets very angry, loses patience. (Mir platzt gleich der Kragen! - I'm about to lose my temper!)
- Jemanden am Kragen packen/kriegen: To grab someone, confront someone. (Die Polizei packte den Verdächtigen am Kragen. - The police grabbed the suspect by the collar.)
- Das kann Kopf und Kragen kosten: That can be very dangerous, cost one's life. (Diese waghalsige Aktion kann dich Kopf und Kragen kosten. - This reckless action could cost you your head/life.)
- Sich selbst an den Kragen gehen: To take one's own life (rare, use with caution).
Figuratively, it can also refer to the neck, especially in animals (e.g., Der Hund hat einen Floh am Kragen. - The dog has a flea on its neck/collar area.) or in the idioms mentioned.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic: Think of der Mann, der (the man who) wears a Kragen. Men often wear shirts with collars. This helps remember "der Kragen".
Meaning Mnemonic: The word "Kragen" sounds a bit like "crane" (the bird). Imagine a crane proudly stretching its neck as if wearing a fancy Kragen (collar). This helps solidify the meaning "neckwear/collar".
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Halsbund: (rarer, more technical) Term for the band at the neckline.
- Halskrause: (historical or for animals post-surgery) A specific, often stiff collar or ruff.
- Revers: Refers specifically to the lapel of a suit jacket, coat, or blazer (so it's part of or adjacent to the collar).
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- There are no direct antonyms. However, one could use:
- Kragenlos: (adjective) Collarless. (Ein kragenloses T-Shirt - A collarless T-shirt)
Risk of Confusion?
"Kragen" is quite specific. Confusion with other words is unlikely.
😄 A Little Joke
Teacher asks: "Fritzchen, warum hat dein Hemd nur ein Loch im Kragen?"
Fritzchen: "Na, wie soll ich sonst meinen Kopf durchstecken?"
Translation:
Teacher asks: "Little Fritz, why does your shirt only have one hole in the collar?"
Little Fritz: "Well, how else am I supposed to get my head through?"
✍️ A Poem about the Collar
Der Kragen, steif und fein,
umrahmt das Antlitz, klar und rein.
Mal hochgestellt, mal umgelegt,
hat Stil und Form er stets gepflegt.
Doch platzt er mal, vor Zorn und Wut,
verliert der Mensch den kühlen Mut.
So ist der Kragen, schmal und klein,
mal Zierde, mal Symbol für Pein.
Translation:
The collar, stiff and fine,
Frames the face, clear and pristine.
Sometimes stand-up, sometimes down,
It always cultivated style and form renown.
But should it burst, with rage and ire,
A person loses cool desire.
So is the collar, narrow, small,
At times adornment, symbol of gall.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich sitze am Hals, doch hab keinen Mund,
bin Teil deines Hemdes, mach's manchmal bunt.
Man packt dich an mir, wenn man dich erwischt,
und platze vor Wut, wenn's dir nicht mehr zischt.
Was bin ich? Lösung: Der Kragen
Translation:
I sit on the neck, but have no mouth,
I'm part of your shirt, sometimes colourful, no doubt.
You're grabbed by me when caught in a fix,
And I burst with anger when you've had enough of tricks.
What am I?
Answer: The collar (Der Kragen)
✨ More Interesting Facts
Word Compounds
"Kragen" is part of many compound words in German:
- Hemdkragen: Shirt collar.
- Stehkragen: Stand-up collar.
- Pelzkragen: Fur collar.
- Vatermörder: (colloquial, outdated) An especially high, stiff stand-up collar on men's shirts in the 19th century (lit. 'father murderer').
- Kragenweite: Collar size or neck circumference.
- Kragenspiegel: Collar tabs or patches on uniforms.
Historical Note
The shape and significance of the collar have changed significantly over the centuries, from huge ruffs in the Renaissance to the modern forms seen today.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Kragen?
The word "Kragen" is always masculine. The correct form is: der Kragen. It refers to the collar of a garment or is used in idiomatic expressions.