der
Warenkorb
🛒 What exactly is a Warenkorb?
The German noun der Warenkorb (masculine, article der) refers to two similar concepts:
- A physical basket or cart used in a store (e.g., supermarket) to carry selected goods (Waren) to the checkout. Larger carts are often called Einkaufswagen.
- A virtual container on a website or app (online shop) where selected products are collected before completing the checkout process. This feature is central to online shopping.
🚨 There is only the article der for Warenkorb; there are no other articles with different meanings.
🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Der Warenkorb
The noun „Warenkorb“ is masculine.
Declension of 'der Warenkorb'
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | ein | Warenkorb |
| Genitive | des | eines | Warenkorb(e)s |
| Dative | dem | einem | Warenkorb(e) |
| Accusative | den | einen | Warenkorb |
| Case | Definite Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Warenkörbe |
| Genitive | der | Warenkörbe |
| Dative | den | Warenkörben |
| Accusative | die | Warenkörbe |
Example Sentences
- Der Warenkorb an der Kasse war sehr voll. (The shopping basket at the checkout was very full.)
- Ich habe die Artikel in meinen virtuellen Warenkorb gelegt. (I put the items in my virtual shopping cart.)
- Kannst du mir bitte einen Warenkorb holen? (Can you please get me a shopping basket?)
- Der Wert des Warenkorbes wird ständig neu berechnet. (The value of the shopping cart is constantly recalculated.)
- Viele Kunden vergessen Artikel in ihren Warenkörben. (Many customers forget items in their shopping carts.)
💡 How to Use "Warenkorb"?
The term Warenkorb is common in both retail and e-commerce contexts.
- In a physical store: You take a Warenkorb (often plastic or metal) at the entrance, or a larger Einkaufswagen (trolley/cart). Example: „Nimm lieber einen Einkaufswagen, der Warenkorb wird zu klein sein.“ (Better take a shopping cart, the basket will be too small.)
- Online: Almost every online shop has a Warenkorb icon (often a small basket or cart symbol). Here, you collect products digitally. Example: „Klicke auf das Warenkorb-Symbol, um zur Kasse zu gehen.“ (Click the shopping cart icon to proceed to checkout.)
Distinction: While Warenkorb often refers to the smaller basket in a supermarket or the virtual cart, Einkaufswagen usually means the larger, wheeled cart in a supermarket. However, in the online context, Warenkorb is used almost exclusively, even if the icon depicts a trolley.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
- Article Mnemonic (der): Think of DER as in 'Dad's Enormous Receipt' from the shopping trip using the WarenkoRb. The masculine association and the 'R' sound might help remember 'der'.
- Meaning Mnemonic (Collection Point): A Korb (basket) is for collecting. Whether real Waren (goods) or digital ones, they end up in the Korb before payment. Imagine tossing items (Waren) into it – physically or with a click.
'Der shopper grabs the Waren for the Korb.'
🔄 Synonyms & Opposites
Synonyms:
- Einkaufskorb: Very similar, often used interchangeably, emphasizes the purpose (shopping - Einkauf).
- Einkaufswagen: Specifically the larger, wheeled cart/trolley in a supermarket.
- Shopping Cart: The English term, often understood in German online contexts.
- Bestellkorb (rare): Emphasizes the ordering process online (Bestellung = order).
Antonyms/Contrasting Concepts:
- Wunschzettel/Merkliste: (Wishlist/Bookmark list) Items are saved here but not prepared for immediate purchase.
- Produktseite: (Product page) The page displaying a single product (before it's added to the Warenkorb).
- Leerer Korb: (Empty basket/cart) The state before adding items.
⚠️ Caution: Do not confuse with Geschenkkorb (gift basket) or Papierkorb (wastepaper basket).
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Online-Warenkorb nie Rückenschmerzen?
Weil er nur virtuelle Waren trägt! 😄
Why does the online shopping cart never have back pain?
Because it only carries virtual goods! 😄
📜 A Warenkorb Poem
Ob online, ob im Laden,
man muss ihn stets beladen.
Der Korb für all die Waren,
hilft uns beim Geldsparen?
Nein, meist wird er sehr voll,
das finden wir ganz toll.
Klick, klick oder im Gang geschoben,
der Warenkorb wird hochgeloben!
Online or in the store nearby,
You always have to load it high.
The basket for the goods so grand,
Does it help us save money across the land?
No, mostly it gets very full,
We think that's really cool.
Click, click, or pushed down the aisle with glee,
The shopping cart's praised, you see!
❓ Riddle Time
Ich habe keinen Magen,
doch kann viel in mir tragen.
Mal bin ich digital,
mal fassbar im Regal.
Ich sammle deine Wünsche klein und groß,
bevor du zahlst – was bin ich bloß?
I have no stomach to make demands,
But I can carry much in my hands (or code).
Sometimes I'm digital, bits and bytes,
Sometimes touchable under store lights.
I gather your wishes, big and small,
Before you pay – what am I called?
Solution: Der Warenkorb (The shopping cart/basket)
🌐 Additional Info
Word Composition:
The term „Warenkorb“ is a compound noun, formed from:
The linking element „-n-“ connects the two parts.
Statistical Significance:
In e-commerce, the „Warenkorb-Abbruchrate“ (cart abandonment rate) is a crucial metric. It measures how many users add items to their cart but do not complete the purchase.
The „durchschnittliche Warenkorbwert“ (average order value - AOV) indicates how much customers spend on average per order.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Warenkorb?
The word "Warenkorb" is always masculine, so the correct article is der Warenkorb. It refers to both the physical basket in a store and the virtual cart used for online shopping.