der  Mini

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈmini/

🚗 What does 'der Mini' mean?

The German word 'der Mini' usually refers to two things:

• The car 🚗: The well-known British car brand and the specific small car model. This is the most common meaning when the article 'der' is used. Example: "Er fährt einen roten Mini." (He drives a red Mini.)
• The miniskirt 👗: Sometimes 'der Mini' is used colloquially as a shortening for 'der Minirock' (the miniskirt). However, this is less common than the term for the car. Example (less common): "Sie trug einen gewagten Mini." (She wore a daring mini[skirt].) Usually, people say 'Minirock'.

⚠️ Attention: Although 'Mini' means 'small', the noun is masculine ('der Mini'), both for the car and (less commonly) for the skirt.

📏 Grammar of 'der Mini'

The noun 'Mini' is masculine and is declined as follows:

Example Sentences

1. Der Mini ist ein Kultauto.
   (The Mini is a cult car.)
2. Der Lack des Minis glänzt in der Sonne.
   (The Mini's paint is shining in the sun.)
3. Ich habe dem Mini neue Reifen gegeben.
   (I gave the Mini new tires.)
4. Siehst du den Mini dort drüben?
   (Do you see the Mini over there?)
5. Auf dem Parkplatz standen viele bunte Minis.
   (There were many colorful Minis in the parking lot.)

💡 How to use 'der Mini'?

The term 'der Mini' is almost always used in the context of cars. It's synonymous with the small car from the Mini brand (originally by BMC, now BMW).

• When talking about cars: "Mein erster Wagen war ein gebrauchter Mini." (My first car was a used Mini.)
• In advertising: "Der neue Mini: Fahrspaß garantiert!" (The new Mini: Driving fun guaranteed!)
• Colloquially for miniskirt: Less common, but possible. "Findest du den Mini nicht etwas zu kurz?" (Don't you find the mini[skirt] a bit too short?) However, 'der Minirock' is usually meant and more common here.

In a general context, 'mini' (as an adjective or prefix) simply means 'small' or 'very small' (e.g., Minigolf, Minibar). However, the noun 'der Mini' has become established for the car.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Mini'

For the article: Think of 'der' driver or 'der' motor. Both are masculine words associated with a car, just like der Mini.

For the meaning: It's a mini car, but it needs the masculine article: der Mini.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but potentially misleading words:

• Die Minibar: (Small refrigerator - feminine noun.)
• Das Minimum: (The smallest amount - neuter noun.)

😄 A little joke

Warum passen Elefanten nicht in einen Mini?

Weil sie ihre Badehose im Kofferraum vergessen haben! 😉

(Why don't elephants fit in a Mini?
Because they forgot their swimming trunks in the boot/trunk!)

📜 Poem about the Mini

Der Mini, klein und kess,
Fährt flink durch jede Gäss'.
Ob rot, ob blau, ob grün,
Man sieht ihn gern erblühn.
Ein Auto voller Charme,
Hält Herz und Fahrer warm.

(The Mini, small and cheeky,
Drives swiftly through every alley.
Whether red, or blue, or green,
It's gladly seen blooming.
A car full of charm,
Keeps heart and driver warm.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin klein, doch sehr bekannt,
Fahre flink durch Stadt und Land.
Mein Name klingt nach wenig sehr,
Doch als Auto lieb' ich's, fahr' umher.
Mit 'der' wirst du mich benennen,
Wirst du mich erkennen?

(I am small, yet very well-known,
I drive nimbly through town and country.
My name sounds like very little,
But as a car, I love it, driving around.
With 'der' you will name me,
Will you recognize me?)

Solution: der Mini (the car)

ℹ️ Additional Info

• Word Origin: The word 'Mini' is a shortening of the English word 'minimum' or the Latin 'minimus', meaning 'the smallest'.
• Cult Status: The original Mini (built from 1959 to 2000) is considered a British icon of 1960s design and pop culture.
• Brand Name: 'Mini' is now an independent car brand owned by BMW.