die  Bekleidung

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈklaɪdʊŋ/

🧥 Meaning of "Bekleidung"

Die Bekleidung is a feminine noun (hence 'die') that refers to clothing or apparel collectively. It's a general term for the items worn by a person.

• It's almost exclusively used in the singular because it's a collective noun (like fruit or furniture in English).
• It can refer to clothing in general or specific types (e.g., Schutzbekleidung - protective clothing, Arbeitsbekleidung - workwear).
• It often sounds slightly more formal or technical than the more common word Kleidung.

🚨 Note: While a plural form (Bekleidungen) technically exists, it's very rare in everyday language. It might be used in specialist contexts to refer to different *types* or *sets* of clothing (e.g., "the various clothing sets for summer and winter"). Generally, stick to the singular die Bekleidung.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Die Bekleidung

The word "Bekleidung" is a feminine noun. The article is therefore die. It is normally used only in the singular.

Declension Singular

Plural

The plural "die Bekleidungen" is very rare and only used in specific contexts to denote different types or sets of clothing. In general, you talk about "Bekleidung" in the singular.

Example Sentences

1. Die neue Winterbekleidung ist sehr warm.
   (The new winter clothing is very warm.)
2. Er arbeitet in einem Geschäft für Herrenbekleidung.
   (He works in a shop for men's clothing.)
3. Die richtige Bekleidung ist beim Wandern wichtig.
   (The right clothing is important when hiking.)
4. Der Preis der Bekleidung war reduziert.
   (The price of the clothing was reduced.)

💡 Using Bekleidung in Context

"Bekleidung" is often used in slightly more formal or specific contexts than the more common word "Kleidung".

• General: Refers to clothes collectively. "Sie legt Wert auf gepflegte Bekleidung." (She values well-kept clothing.)
• Retail: You'll often see terms like "Damenbekleidung" (women's clothing), "Herrenbekleidung" (men's clothing), "Kinderbekleidung" (children's clothing) in shops, catalogues, or online stores.
• Specific Types: Frequently found in compound words such as Arbeitsbekleidung (workwear), Schutzbekleidung (protective clothing), Sportbekleidung (sportswear), Funktionsbekleidung (functional clothing).
• Comparison with "Kleidung": "Kleidung" is the more general and everyday term. "Bekleidung" can sometimes sound a bit stiffer, but is interchangeable in many contexts. The main difference is often the level of formality or specificity.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic (die): Many German nouns ending in "-ung" are feminine (die Heizung - heating, die Wohnung - apartment, die Meinung - opinion). This applies to die Bekleidung too! Imagine DIE fashion queen showing off her new clothing (Bekleidung).

Meaning Mnemonic: The word contains "kleid" (dress/garment). Imagine you are BEing covered (like *be-decked*) with KLEIDung – that's your *Bekleidung* (clothing).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Bekleidung

😂 A Little Joke

Warum tragen Skelette keine Bekleidung?
(Why don't skeletons wear clothes?)

Weil sie nichts zum Anziehen haben – sie haben keinen Körper (nobody)! 😉
(Because they have nothing to put on - they have no body!)

📜 Poem about Bekleidung

Die Hülle, die uns schützt und ziert,
(The cover that protects and adorns us,)
Mal bunt, mal schlicht, wie's uns gebührt.
(Sometimes colorful, sometimes simple, as befits us.)
Ob Wolle, Seide, Leinen fein,
(Whether wool, silk, fine linen,)
Die Bekleidung hüllt uns täglich ein.
(The clothing envelops us daily.)
Vor Kälte, Sonne, fremdem Blick,
(From cold, sun, stranger's gaze,)
Sie ist ein Teil vom Lebensglück.
(It is a part of life's happiness.)

🧩 Riddle

Ich habe Hosen, aber keine Beine.
(I have trousers, but no legs.)
Ich habe Hemden, aber keinen Rumpf.
(I have shirts, but no torso.)
Ich schütze dich vor Sonne und Regen, manchmal bin ich auch nur zum Schein.
(I protect you from sun and rain, sometimes I'm just for show.)
Man kauft mich oft, doch trag ich mich nie selbst.
(People buy me often, but I never wear myself.)

Was bin ich?
(What am I?)
... Die Bekleidung
(... Clothing)

✨ Other Information

Word Formation

The word "Bekleidung" is derived from the verb "bekleiden" (to clothe, to dress, to hold [an office]). It consists of:

• Prefix "be-"
• Stem "kleid" (from Kleid - dress, garment)
• Suffix "-ung" (often forms feminine nouns from verbs)

Typical Categories of Bekleidung

• Damenbekleidung (women's clothing), Herrenbekleidung (men's clothing), Kinderbekleidung (children's clothing)
• Oberbekleidung (outerwear), Unterbekleidung (underwear)
• Sommerbekleidung (summer clothing), Winterbekleidung (winter clothing)
• Sportbekleidung (sportswear), Arbeitsbekleidung (workwear), Schutzbekleidung (protective clothing), Freizeitbekleidung (casual wear)