der /
das
Safe
🔐 What does "Safe" mean? (Der vs. Das)
The word "Safe" is an Anglicism (from English safe) and refers to a secure container for storing valuables in German. The choice of article often depends on the size and context, although regional differences and overlaps exist:
Der Safe (masculine)
Usually refers to a larger, often permanently installed strongbox or vault, like those found at home or in businesses. It serves to protect against theft and fire.
- Main meaning: vault, strongbox, safe
Das Safe (neuter)
More often used for smaller lockers, especially safe-deposit boxes in banks or hotel safes. However, it can also be used synonymously with "der Safe", especially in Southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, where "das Safe" is more common for safes in general.
- Main meaning: safe-deposit box, locker, smaller safe
⚠️ Attention: Although both articles exist, standard German often prefers der Safe for the classic vault. Using das Safe for a safe-deposit box is also common. When in doubt, using the purely German words "Tresor" (der) or "Schließfach" (das) is clearer.
🧐 Grammar of Der/Das Safe
"Safe" is a noun that can be masculine (der) or neuter (das) depending on the meaning. Here are the declension tables:
Declension "der Safe" (masculine)
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der Safe | die Safes |
| Genitive | des Safes | der Safes |
| Dative | dem Safe | den Safes |
| Accusative | den Safe | die Safes |
Declension "das Safe" (neuter)
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das Safe | die Safes |
| Genitive | des Safes | der Safes |
| Dative | dem Safe | den Safes |
| Accusative | das Safe | die Safes |
Example Sentences
- Der Safe: Der schwere Safe steht im Keller. (The heavy safe is in the basement.)
- Der Safe: Sie knackten den Safe mit einem Schweißbrenner. (They cracked the safe with a blowtorch.)
- Das Safe: Ich habe meine Dokumente in das Safe bei der Bank gelegt. (I put my documents in the safe-deposit box at the bank.)
- Das Safe: Im Hotelzimmer gab es auch ein Safe. (There was also a safe in the hotel room.)
🏦 Everyday Usage: When to Use Which?
The choice between "der Safe" and "das Safe" often depends on the context:
- Der Safe: Mostly used for the classic, robust vault, typically built-in (e.g., wall safe, floor safe). You're more likely to talk about "dem Safe im Büro" (the safe in the office) or "dem Safe zu Hause" (the safe at home).
- Das Safe: More frequently refers to smaller, portable cash boxes or safe-deposit boxes in banks or hotels ("das Banksafe", "das Hotelsafe"). However, in some regions (Southern Germany, Austria, Switzerland), "das Safe" is also used more generally for vaults.
Alternatives:
- Instead of "der Safe": der Tresor, der Panzerschrank, der Geldschrank (these are purely German words and often clearer).
- Instead of "das Safe": das Schließfach (very common for bank/hotel lockers), die Geldkassette (for smaller, portable boxes).
Although "Safe" as an Anglicism is widespread, using the more specific German terms can sometimes prevent misunderstandings.
🧠 Mnemonics for "Safe"
Remembering the Article: Think of 'deR' as 'Robust' for the big, masculine vault (der Safe), and 'daS' as 'Small' for the neutral locker/safe-deposit box (das Safe).
Remembering the Meaning: The word sounds exactly like English "safe". A Safe is a place where things are kept safe.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms of Safe
Synonyms (Similar Words)
- For der Safe: Tresor (m), Panzerschrank (m), Geldschrank (m), Stahlschrank (m)
- For das Safe: Schließfach (n), Bankschließfach (n), Hotelsafe (m/n), Wertsachenschließfach (n), Geldkassette (f)
Antonyms (Opposites)
There isn't a direct antonym. However, one could contrast concepts:
- Openness, unsecured state
- Accessibility
- Risk
Similar but different words:
- Safety (Car): (n) The safety vehicle in motorsports. Nothing to do with a vault.
- Sicherheit: (f) The general concept of safety and security.
😄 A Little Joke
German: Warum hat der Bankräuber aufgegeben, den Safe zu knacken?
Er hatte einfach nicht die richtige Kombination aus Geduld und Werkzeug! 😉
English: Why did the bank robber give up trying to crack the safe?
He just didn't have the right combination of patience and tools! 😉
📜 A Poem about the Safe
German:
Ob der Safe, schwer und groß,
Ob das Safe, klein, im Bankschoß.
Stahlhart hält er Wertsachen fest,
bietet Schutz vor Dieb und Pest.
Mit Zahlenschloss oder Schlüssel, fein,
schließt er Kostbarkeiten ein.
English:
Whether der Safe, heavy and large,
Whether das Safe, small, in the bank's charge.
Hard as steel, it holds valuables tight,
offers protection from thief and blight.
With combination lock or key so fine,
it locks up treasures, yours and mine.
❓ Little Riddle
German:
Ich habe eine Tür, doch kein Haus.
Ich habe ein Schloss, doch keine Maus.
Ich bewahre Schätze, Gold und Papier,
mal heiß ich "der", mal "das", sag es mir!
Lösung: Der/Das Safe
English:
I have a door, but no house.
I have a lock, but no mouse.
I keep treasures, gold, and paper near,
Sometimes I'm "der", sometimes "das", tell me, dear!
Solution: Der/Das Safe
💡 Other Interesting Facts
Word Origin: The word "Safe" comes directly from the English adjective/noun "safe". It has established itself in German as the term for a vault or a safe-deposit box.
Typical Collocations (German):
- den Safe knacken / öffnen / leeren (to crack / open / empty the safe)
- etwas im Safe aufbewahren / einschließen (to keep / lock something in the safe)
- ein feuerfester Safe (a fireproof safe)
- der Wandtresor / Möbeltresor (wall safe / furniture safe - specific types of "der Safe")
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Safe?
For a larger vault or strongbox, der Safe (masculine) is usually used. For a smaller (bank) locker or hotel safe, das Safe (neuter) is common, although "das Safe" is also used regionally for vaults in general. When in doubt, the purely German alternatives "der Tresor" or "das Schließfach" are clearer.