die
Badewanne
🛁 What exactly is a Badewanne?
The German word die Badewanne refers to a bathtub. It's a large, oblong container, usually made of enamelled steel, cast iron, acrylic, or other materials, installed in a bathroom. It's used for washing or relaxing while lying or sitting in water.
There is only one definite article for this noun: die. It is a feminine noun.
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 Spotlight: Die Badewanne
The noun „Badewanne“ is feminine. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Badewanne |
| Genitive | der | Badewanne |
| Dative | der | Badewanne |
| Accusative | die | Badewanne |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Badewannen |
| Genitive | der | Badewannen |
| Dative | den | Badewannen |
| Accusative | die | Badewannen |
📝 Example Sentences
- Nach einem langen Tag freue ich mich auf ein heißes Bad in der Badewanne.
(After a long day, I look forward to a hot bath in the bathtub.) - Die Kinder spielen gerne mit Quietscheentchen in der Badewanne.
(The children like to play with rubber ducks in the bathtub.) - Wir müssen die alte Badewanne durch eine neue ersetzen.
(We need to replace the old bathtub with a new one.) - Der Abfluss der Badewanne ist verstopft.
(The drain of the bathtub is clogged.)
💡 How to Use 'die Badewanne'
The term Badewanne is used in everyday language to refer to the sanitary fixture in which one takes a bath. It's very common and doesn't have specific contextual limitations.
- Everyday life: „Ich lasse mir gerade ein Bad in der Badewanne ein.“ (I'm running a bath in the bathtub right now.)
- Trade/Craft: „Wir installieren morgen eine neue Badewanne bei Familie Müller.“ (We are installing a new bathtub at the Müller family's house tomorrow.)
- Relaxation/Wellness: „Ein Schaumbad in der Badewanne ist pure Entspannung.“ (A bubble bath in the bathtub is pure relaxation.)
Compared to a Dusche (shower), which is primarily for quick washing while standing, the Badewanne is more associated with relaxation, longer stays, and bathing while lying or sitting.
🧠 Mnemonics for Badewanne
For the article 'die': Imagine an elegant lady (feminine!) relaxing in the tub - die Lady in die Badewanne. The '-e' ending is often a clue for feminine nouns in German.
For the meaning: Think of the English words "bathe" and "wan" (though 'Wanne' means tub/vat). You bathe in a Wanne. So: Bade-Wanne = bathtub.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Dusche: (Shower) Also used for personal hygiene, but typically involves standing under a spray.
⚠️ Be careful: A Waschbecken (sink/washbasin) is for washing hands or face, not for bathing the whole body.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum nehmen Skelette kein Bad in der Badewanne?
Weil sie keinen Körper haben, den sie waschen könnten! 😉
(Why don't skeletons take a bath in the bathtub? Because they have no body to wash!)
✒️ Poem for Relaxation
Die Wanne lädt zum Träumen ein,
mit warmem Wasser, zart und fein.
Der Schaum so weich, der Duft so klar,
Entspannung pur, wie wunderbar.
Die Sorgen schwinden, klein und fern,
in die Badewanne tauch ich gern.
(The tub invites you to dream,
with warm water, gentle and fine.
The foam so soft, the scent so clear,
Pure relaxation, how wonderful.
Worries fade, small and far,
Into the bathtub, I gladly dive.)
❓ A Little Riddle
Ich hab 'nen Stöpsel, doch kein Fass,
mach dich sauber, nass und nass.
Man liegt in mir, ganz entspannt und froh,
im Badezimmer sowieso.
Was bin ich?
(I have a plug, but not a barrel,
I make you clean, wet and wet.
You lie in me, relaxed and happy,
In the bathroom anyway.
What am I?)
Solution: Die Badewanne (The bathtub)
🧩 More Tidbits
Word Composition:
The word „Badewanne“ is a compound noun, formed from:
- Bade(n): Stem of the verb „baden“ (to bathe, to be in water)
- Wanne: A tub, vat, or open container, usually oblong or round.
Together, the meaning is clear: a tub for bathing.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Badewanne?
The German word "Badewanne" is feminine, so the correct article is die. You say die Badewanne (singular) and die Badewannen (plural).