die
Anzeige
📰 What does "die Anzeige" mean?
The word die Anzeige (feminine) has several meanings in German:
- Advertisement/Classified Ad: A public notice, often paid, to promote a product, service, or event. Example: eine Stellenanzeige in der Zeitung (a job advertisement in the newspaper).
- Report/Notification (often official): A formal notification to an authority, especially a criminal complaint to the police (Strafanzeige). Example: eine Anzeige wegen Diebstahls erstatten (to file a report for theft).
- Indicator/Display: A device or element that makes information visible, e.g., on a measuring instrument or screen. Example: die digitale Anzeige der Uhrzeit (the digital display of the time).
🚨 Attention: The context is crucial to understand the correct meaning.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: die Anzeige
"Anzeige" is a feminine noun. The article is always die.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Anzeige |
| Genitive | der | Anzeige |
| Dative | der | Anzeige |
| Accusative | die | Anzeige |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Anzeigen |
| Genitive | der | Anzeigen |
| Dative | den | Anzeigen |
| Accusative | die | Anzeigen |
📝 Example Sentences
- (Advertisement) Ich habe eine interessante Anzeige für ein gebrauchtes Auto gesehen. (I saw an interesting ad for a used car.)
- (Report) Er musste bei der Polizei eine Anzeige erstatten. (He had to file a report with the police.)
- (Indicator) Die Anzeige auf dem Thermometer steht auf 20 Grad. (The indicator on the thermometer shows 20 degrees.)
- (Plural, Ads) Die Sonntagszeitung ist voller Anzeigen. (The Sunday newspaper is full of ads.)
- (Plural, Reports) Die Zahl der Anzeigen wegen Ruhestörung ist gestiegen. (The number of reports due to disturbance of the peace has increased.)
💡 How to use "die Anzeige"?
- Context 'Advertisement': Often found in newspapers (Zeitungen), magazines (Zeitschriften), online (Kleinanzeigen - classifieds, Werbeanzeigen - banner ads). Synonyms like Inserat or Werbung can be used; 'Anzeige' is often more neutral.
- Context 'Report': Mainly in legal or official contexts. A 'Strafanzeige' specifically refers to reporting a crime. A 'Meldung' (report, notification) can be more general. A 'Selbstanzeige' is a self-report of misconduct (e.g., tax evasion).
- Context 'Indicator': In technical contexts for displays, gauges, dials. Words like Display, Skala (scale), Messwert (measured value) are also common here.
One typically "schaltet" (places/runs) an Anzeige (advertisement), "erstattet" (files/makes) an Anzeige (report), or "liest ab" (reads off) an Anzeige (indicator).
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Anzeige"
For the Article: Think of related feminine words in German: die Werbung (advertisement), die Meldung (report), die Bekanntmachung (announcement). These feminine connections help remember die Anzeige.
For the Meanings: Imagine you are showing something (from the verb anzeigen - to show, indicate, report). You might be showing a product (advertisement), reporting ('showing') a crime (report), or a device is showing you information (indicator).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
- For Advertisement/Ad: das Inserat, die Reklame, die Werbung, die Annonce (dated), die Bekanntmachung (announcement)
- For Report/Notification: die Meldung, der Bericht, die Mitteilung, die Benachrichtigung, die Strafanzeige (criminal complaint)
- For Indicator/Display: der Indikator, das Display, die Darstellung, die Messanzeige (gauge reading)
⚠️ Similar Words:
- Der Anzeiger: Often refers to the title of a newspaper (e.g., "Generalanzeiger") or, rarely, a person who reports something (informant).
- Anzeigen (verb): The action of advertising, reporting, or indicating.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Computer eine Anzeige bei der Polizei erstattet?
– Weil er zu viele Viren hatte und sich ansteckend fühlte!
(Why did the computer file a report with the police? – Because it had too many viruses and felt contagious!)
📜 Poem about Anzeige
Die Anzeige, klein und fein,
Passt in jede Zeitung rein.
Sie wirbt für Haus und auch für Tier,
Manchmal steht auch 'Suche hier!'.
Doch auch bei Streit und bei Verdruss,
Manchmal zur Polizei man muss.
Dort macht man dann, das ist der Clou,
'ne Anzeige – und hat dann Ruh?
Am Tacho, hell und klar,
Macht sie die Zahlen sichtbar,
Die Anzeige, digital, geschwind,
Zeigt, wie schnell die Räder sind.
(The ad, small and neat,
Fits in every newspaper sheet.
It promotes houses and pets so dear,
Sometimes it also says 'Searching here!'.
But also in conflict and distress,
Sometimes to the police one must press.
There one makes, that's the key,
A report – and then has peace?
On the speedometer, bright and clear,
It makes the numbers appear,
The display, digital and fast,
Shows how quickly the wheels have passed.)
❓ Riddle
Ich kann werben, laut und bunt,
Tu manchmal Unrecht kund.
Auf deinem Handy, deinem Tacho,
Zeige ich dir dies und das so.
Was bin ich?
(I can advertise, loud and colorful,
Sometimes I announce wrongdoing.
On your phone, your speedometer,
I show you this and that just so.
What am I?)
Solution: die Anzeige (the ad / report / display)
➕ Other Information
Word Formation:
The word "Anzeige" derives from the verb "anzeigen". It consists of the prefix "an-" and the stem of the verb "zeigen" (to show). "Anzeigen" originally means "to make something visible", "to point something out".
Cultural Notes:
Kleinanzeigen ("classifieds") were long a central part of newspapers and an important marketplace for private individuals. Today, they are often found online on specialized portals.
Summary: is it der, die or das Anzeige?
The noun "Anzeige" is always feminine. The correct article is "die Anzeige". It has multiple meanings, including advertisement, report/notification, and indicator/display.