der /
das
Patch
🤔 What Exactly is a Patch?
The word "Patch" is an Anglicism (a word borrowed from English) and has different meanings in German depending on the article:
Der Patch (masculine)
Das Patch (neuter)
- 🩹 Medical Patch: Often a patch containing active ingredients that is applied to the skin to deliver medication (e.g., nicotine patch, hormone patch, pain relief patch - similar to Pflaster).
⚠️ Pay attention to the context to determine the correct article and meaning!
🧐 Grammar: Der Patch vs. Das Patch
Since "Patch" can have two different genders, there are two different declension patterns.
Der Patch (masculine)
Refers to software updates or fabric patches/badges.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Patch |
| Genitive | des | Patches |
| Dative | dem | Patch |
| Accusative | den | Patch |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Patches |
| Genitive | der | Patches |
| Dative | den | Patches |
| Accusative | die | Patches |
Das Patch (neuter)
Refers to medical patches.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Patch |
| Genitive | des | Patches |
| Dative | dem | Patch |
| Accusative | das | Patch |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Patches |
| Genitive | der | Patches |
| Dativ | den | Patches |
| Accusative | die | Patches |
Example Sentences
- Der Patch: Hast du schon den neuesten Software-Patch installiert? (Have you installed the latest software patch yet?)
- Der Patch: Sie hat einen coolen Patch auf ihre Jeansjacke genäht. (She sewed a cool patch onto her jean jacket.)
- Das Patch: Der Arzt verschrieb mir ein Schmerzpatch. (The doctor prescribed me a pain relief patch.)
- Das Patch: Dieses Nikotinpatch soll beim Aufhören helfen. (This nicotine patch is supposed to help with quitting.)
💡 Everyday Usage Notes
The use of "der Patch" or "das Patch" clearly depends on the context:
- In IT: When talking about software fixes, it's always der Patch. Example: "Der Patch schließt eine Sicherheitslücke." (The patch closes a security vulnerability.)
- For Clothing & Textiles: For fabric patches or badges, use der Patch. Example: "Meine Oma hat den Patch auf meine Hose genäht." (My grandma sewed the patch onto my pants.)
- In a Medical Context: If it's a plaster (often with active ingredients), it's das Patch. Example: "Das Hormonpatch muss alle drei Tage gewechselt werden." (The hormone patch needs to be changed every three days.)
Confusion is rare as the context is usually clear. When in doubt, you can use German synonyms like "(Software-)Update", "Flicken", "Aufnäher" or "(Wirkstoff-)Pflaster".
🧠 Mnemonics for 'Patch'
For the articles:
- Imagine: DER computerexperte (masculine) installs den (software) Patch. DER Schneider (tailor, masculine) sews on den (fabric) Patch.
- But: DAS Medikament (neuter) is in dem (medical) Patch. (Medikament is neuter -> das Patch).
For the meaning:
- A Patch 'patches' something: Either a hole in the code (der Patch), a hole in your pants (der Patch), or it delivers something through the skin (das Patch - like a plaster/Pflaster).
↔️ Opposites and Alternatives
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Der Patch (Software): Update, Aktualisierung, Korrektur, Hotfix, Bugfix
- Der Patch (Textile): Flicken (patch), Aufnäher (badge/appliqué), Applikation
- Das Patch (Medical): Pflaster (plaster/band-aid), Wirkstoffpflaster (medicated patch), transdermales Pflaster (transdermal patch)
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- Der Patch (Software): Fehler (bug/error), Sicherheitslücke (security vulnerability), Vollversion (full version, instead of an update)
- Der Patch (Textile): Loch (hole), Riss (tear)
- Das Patch (Medical): Tablette (pill), Spritze (injection) (other forms of application), Krankheitssymptom (symptom of illness) (what is being treated)
Similar Words:
- Patchwork: A technique or item made from many small pieces of fabric (Flicken). Only relates to the textile meaning.
😂 A Little Patch Joke
DE: Warum hat der Programmierer immer Klebeband dabei?
Für den Notfall-Patch!
EN: Why does the programmer always carry tape?
For emergency patches!
✍️ Poem about Patches
DE:
Ein Fehler im Code, oh weh,
Der Patch muss her, schnell, 1, 2, 3.
Die Software läuft nun rund und glatt,
Ein Hoch auf den, der Patches hat!
Ein Loch im Knie, die Hose zerrissen,
Der Patch wird drauf, ganz schnell, mit Wissen.
Bunt oder schlicht, er ziert das Tuch,
Ein Flicken hält, Besuch für Besuch.
Die Haut braucht Hilfe, Medizin so rein,
Das Patch klebt sanft, lässt Wirkstoff ein.
Gesundheit fördern, Schmerz vertreiben,
So soll das kleine Patch verbleiben.
EN Translation:
A bug in the code, oh dear, oh my,
Der Patch must come, quick, 1, 2, 3 nigh.
The software now runs smooth and neat,
Hooray for him who has patches sweet!
A hole in the knee, the trousers torn,
Der Patch goes on, quickly, knowledge-born.
Colorful or plain, it graces the cloth,
A patch holds strong, warding off moth (or just wear).
The skin needs help, medicine pure,
Das Patch sticks gently, lets substance allure.
Promoting health, driving pain away,
So shall the little patch stay.
🧩 Who or What Am I?
DE:
Mal bin ich männlich, stopf' ein digitales Loch,
Mal flick' ich Kleidung, das kann ich doch!
Manchmal bin ich sächlich, kleb' auf deiner Haut,
Und geb' dir Medizin, ganz still und ohne Laut.
Wer bin ich? ... Der/Das Patch
EN Translation:
Sometimes I'm masculine, plugging a digital hole,
Sometimes I mend clothing, that's my role!
Sometimes I am neuter, stuck onto your skin,
Giving you medicine, quiet, from within.
What am I?
... Der/Das Patch
ℹ️ Interesting Facts
Origin: The word "Patch" comes directly from English, where it originally means "Flicken" (a piece used to mend a hole). Its transfer to software fixes happened within computer jargon.
Usage Frequency: Especially in the IT sector, "der Patch" is a very common term in German. "Das Patch" for medical patches is also established but is sometimes replaced by the German word "Pflaster". "Der Patch" for textiles is less common than "Flicken" or "Aufnäher", but generally understood.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Patch?
You use der Patch (masculine) for software updates and textile patches/badges, and das Patch (neuter) for medical (medicated) plasters. The context determines the correct article.