der
Lappen
📖 What Exactly is a Lappen?
The German word der Lappen has several meanings, some of which are quite different:
- Piece of cloth or leather: The most common meaning is an (often old or worn) piece of fabric used for cleaning, wiping, or patching. Examples: Putzlappen (cleaning rag), Waschlappen (washcloth), Feudel (mop rag).
- Driver's license (colloquial): Especially in spoken language, "der Lappen" is used informally for the driver's license. Example:
Mir wurde der Lappen abgenommen.
(My license was taken away.) - Coward, wimp (derogatory): Colloquially and pejoratively, "Lappen" can also refer to a person perceived as cowardly, lacking energy, or whiny. ⚠️ This usage is offensive. Example:
Sei doch kein Lappen!
(Don't be such a wimp!) - Earlobe (regional, dated): Less commonly, it can also refer to the earlobe.
- Banknote (dated, colloquial): In the past, a (usually thousand-mark) banknote was also informally called a "Lappen".
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 of Lappen in Detail
"Lappen" is a masculine noun and uses the article "der". It follows the weak N-declension pattern.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Lappen |
| Genitive | des | Lappens |
| Dative | dem | Lappen |
| Accusative | den | Lappen |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Lappen |
| Genitive | der | Lappen |
| Dative | den | Lappen |
| Accusative | die | Lappen |
Example Sentences
- (Cloth) Gib mir bitte den nassen Lappen zum Aufwischen. (Please give me the wet rag to wipe up.)
- (License) Er musste seinen Lappen nach der Alkoholfahrt abgeben. (He had to surrender his license after drunk driving.)
- (Person) Trau dich, sei kein Lappen! (Dare to do it, don't be a wimp!)
🗣️ How is der Lappen Used?
The use of "der Lappen" strongly depends on the context:
- As a cleaning cloth: Completely neutral and common usage in everyday life and households. Here it is interchangeable with Tuch, Putztuch, Wischtuch.
- As a driver's license: Rather colloquial and informal (umgangssprachlich). You wouldn't use it in formal writing, but it's common among friends or in informal conversations. Sounds more casual than "Führerschein".
- As an insult: Highly derogatory and colloquial. Used to portray someone as weak or cowardly. Comparable to Waschlappen (lit. 'washcloth', meaning wimp) or Feigling (coward). 🚨 Use with caution!
The meaning usually becomes clear from the context of the conversation.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic: Think of 'DER Lappen' as 'THE Rag'. The 'R' sound might help remember 'der'. Or imagine a stereotypical tough guy (masculine 'der') losing his license (Lappen).
Meaning Mnemonic: A cloth Lappen is often limp or 'lappy'. A person called a Lappen is also 'limp' (lacking energy/courage). A driver's license (Lappen) is a flat piece of material, somewhat like a cloth rag (Lappen).
🔄 Similar and Opposite Words
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- For piece of cloth: Tuch (cloth), Putzlappen (cleaning rag), Putztuch (cleaning cloth), Wischtuch (wiping cloth), Feudel (mop rag), Fetzen (scrap, shred)
- For driver's license (coll.): Führerschein (driver's license), Fahrerlaubnis (driving permit), Fleppe (coll. license), Pappe (coll. license, lit. cardboard)
- For person (derogatory): Feigling (coward), Waschlappen (wimp, lit. washcloth), Memme (wuss), Angsthase (scaredy-cat, lit. fear-rabbit), Schwächling (weakling)
Potential for Confusion: Do not confuse with "die Lappen" (plural), which can also refer to the Sámi people of Northern Europe (this term is now considered discriminatory; use "Samen" instead).
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Fahrlehrer: "Na, wie war die erste Fahrstunde?"
Der Fahrschüler: "Super! Nur der Lappen hinter mir hat ständig gehupt!"
Translation:
The driving instructor asks: "Well, how was the first driving lesson?"
The student driver: "Great! Only the wimp (or: rag/license) behind me kept honking!" (Pun uses 'Lappen' ambiguously)
✍️ Poem about the Lappen
Der Lappen, grau und oft benutzt,
hat schon so manchen Fleck verputzt.
Mal wischt er Staub, mal Dreck, mal Nass,
liegt dann im Eimer, blass und krass.
Doch Lappen nennt man, leicht im Spott,
wer mutlos ist und nicht parat.
Und ist der Führerschein mal fort,
ist auch der Lappen weg vom Ort.
Translation:
The rag, grey and often used,
has cleaned up many a stain.
Sometimes it wipes dust, dirt, or wet,
then lies in the bucket, pale and stark.
But 'Lappen' they call, in slight mockery,
whoever is cowardly and not ready.
And if the driver's license is gone,
that 'Lappen' too is away from the spot.
🧩 Who or What Am I?
Ich kann aus Stoff sein, alt und weich,
mit mir wird Schmutz entfernt sogleich.
Man nennt mich salopp, wenn man darf fahren,
oder schimpft so auf den, der sich nicht kann trauen.
Was bin ich?
Translation:
I can be made of cloth, old and soft,
with me, dirt is removed right off.
I'm called colloquially when one can drive,
or used as an insult for those who don't strive (to be brave).
What am I?
Solution: der Lappen
💡 Other Interesting Facts
Etymology: The word "Lappen" comes from the Middle High German word "lappe", meaning something like "loosely hanging piece". This explains both the meaning as a piece of cloth and the derogatory term for a limp/weak person.
Regional Differences: The colloquial term "Lappen" for a driver's license is widespread, but regionally other terms may also be common, such as "Pappe" (Northern Germany, lit. 'cardboard') or "Fleppe".
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Lappen?
The word "Lappen" is masculine, so the correct article is der Lappen. It primarily refers to a piece of cloth for cleaning, colloquially to a driver's license, or derogatorily to a cowardly person.