die
Batterie
🔋 What does "die Batterie" mean?
The word die Batterie (feminine noun) has several meanings in German:
- Electrical Energy Storage: This is the most common meaning. A device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy and stores it to power other devices (e.g., in remote controls, cars, smartphones). A synonym is der Akkumulator (or short: der Akku), especially when it's rechargeable.
- Military Unit: An artillery unit, typically consisting of several guns.
- Drum Kit: In music, Batterie sometimes refers to the entire drum set (rather dated or regional usage).
- Set/Group of Similar Things: A collection or series of similar items or tests (e.g., eine Testbatterie - a battery of tests, eine Batterie von Fragen - a battery of questions).
🚨 Important: In German, Batterie is always feminine (die Batterie), regardless of its meaning.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ie → almost always feminine.
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
📊 Grammar & Declension: die Batterie
Batterie is a feminine noun. Its plural form is die Batterien.
Declension Singular
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die Batterie | eine Batterie |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der Batterie | einer Batterie |
| Dative (To whom?) | der Batterie | einer Batterie |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die Batterie | eine Batterie |
Declension Plural
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Batterien | - Batterien / einige Batterien (some batteries) |
| Genitive | der Batterien | - Batterien / einiger Batterien (of some batteries) |
| Dative | den Batterien | - Batterien / einigen Batterien (to/for some batteries) |
| Accusative | die Batterien | - Batterien / einige Batterien (some batteries) |
💡 Example Sentences
- Die Batterie der Fernbedienung ist leer. (The remote control's battery is empty.)
- Die Leistung der Batterie lässt nach. (The battery's performance is decreasing.)
- Ich muss die Batterie wechseln. (I have to change the battery.)
- Viele Geräte benötigen heute Batterien. (Many devices need batteries today.)
🔌 Usage in Context
When do you use die Batterie?
- Everyday Language (Energy): Very common for non-rechargeable (Primärzellen) and often also for rechargeable (Akkus, Sekundärzellen) power sources in portable devices. Example: "Meine Taschenlampe braucht neue Batterien." (My flashlight needs new batteries.)
- Technology/Automotive: Specifically the car battery (Autobatterie) or batteries in electronic circuits. Example: "Die Batterie meines Autos muss im Winter oft geladen werden." (My car's battery often needs charging in winter.)
- Military: In a military context for artillery units. Example: "Die feindliche Batterie wurde ausgeschaltet." (The enemy battery was neutralized.)
- Figurative Meaning (Series): For a series of tests or tasks. Example: "Der Bewerber musste eine ganze Batterie von Eignungstests durchlaufen." (The applicant had to go through a whole battery of aptitude tests.)
- Music (Less Common): Sometimes for the drum kit. Example: "Der Drummer saß hinter seiner Batterie." (The drummer sat behind his kit. - More common today: Schlagzeug)
Distinction from Akku: Technically, a Batterie often refers to a primary cell (non-rechargeable), while an Akku (Akkumulator) is a secondary cell (rechargeable). However, in everyday language, the terms are often used interchangeably, with Batterie being the more general term.
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Batterie"
Article Mnemonic (die):
Many German nouns ending in "-ie" are feminine (die): die Biologie (biology), die Akademie (academy), die Energie (energy)... and also die Batterie! Imagine die Energie* (feminine) coming from *die* Batter*ie* (feminine).
Meaning Mnemonic (Power & more):
Picture a powerful female queen (who uses the feminine article die) needing energy for her devices. Where does she get it? From die Batterie! Or think of a 'battery' of tests as a demanding series, just like a queen might demand things – associating the feminine article.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- For energy storage: der Akku / Akkumulator (accumulator, especially rechargeable), der Stromspeicher (power storage), die Zelle (cell, technical term), der Energiespender (energy donor)
- For military unit: die Geschützstellung (gun emplacement), die Artillerieeinheit (artillery unit)
- For series/group: die Reihe (row, series), die Serie (series), die Ansammlung (collection, accumulation), das Set (set, e.g., test battery)
- For drum kit (rare): das Schlagzeug (drum kit), das Drumset
Antonyms (Opposites):
- For energy storage: der Generator (generator, produces power), der Verbraucher (consumer, uses power), das Netzteil (power supply unit, from mains)
- For military unit: (context-dependent, e.g., Infanterieeinheit as a different type of unit)
- For series/group: das Einzelstück (single item), das Individuum (individual)
⚠️ Similar Words:
Be careful not to confuse Batterie with words like Bakterie (die Bakterie, plural: die Bakterien - bacterium/bacteria).
😂 A Little Joke
Warum ging die Batterie zur Therapie?
Weil sie zu viele negative Ladungen hatte! 😄
(Why did the battery go to therapy?
Because it had too many negative charges!)
📜 Little Poem about the Battery
Die Batterie, klein und adrett,
Gibt Saft fürs Handy und Tablet.
Ist sie mal leer, oh Schreck, oh Graus,
Geht ohne Strom schnell gar nichts aus.
Drum lade sie, hab sie stets lieb,
Damit der Stromfluss dir verblieb!
(The battery, small and neat,
Gives juice for phone and tablet sweet.
If it runs empty, oh what dread,
Without power, everything's dead.
So charge it up, hold it always dear,
So that the flow of current stays here!)
🧩 Riddle Time
Ich habe Plus und Minus, doch kein Geld.
Ich spende Kraft, die die Technik erhält.
In Uhren, Autos oder Fernbedienung klein,
Was mag ich wohl sein?
(I have plus and minus, but no money.
I provide power that keeps technology running.
In clocks, cars, or remote controls small,
What might I be after all?)
Solution: die Batterie (the battery)
🤓 Other Interesting Facts
- Etymology: The word Batterie comes from the French word batterie, which in turn derives from battre (to beat, to strike). Originally, it referred to the 'beating' of guns in the military sense or a group of things working together (as in striking). The electrical meaning was added later, inspired by the arrangement of Leyden jars (early capacitors) in a series ('battery').
- Word Compounds (Wortzusammensetzungen): There are many compound words with Batterie in German, e.g.: die Autobatterie (car battery), die Knopfzelle(nbatterie) (button cell battery), die Starterbatterie (starter battery), die Testbatterie (test battery), die Lithium-Ionen-Batterie (lithium-ion battery), das Batteriefach (battery compartment).
Summary: is it der, die or das Batterie?
The German word Batterie is always feminine. The correct article is die Batterie. There are no other articles for this noun.