die
Bluse
👚 What does "die Bluse" mean?
Die Bluse (noun, feminine) refers to an item of clothing for women or girls that covers the upper body. It's similar to a shirt (das Hemd) but typically has a more feminine cut and is often made from finer fabrics.
- It's a feminine noun, therefore it's always die Bluse.
- There are no other articles or meanings for this word. 🚨 Confusion with das Hemd (more typically for men) is possible, but 'Bluse' is specifically for women's tops.
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 Bluse
"Bluse" is a feminine noun. The article is always die.
Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die | Bluse |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die | Bluse |
| Dative (To whom?) | der | Bluse |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der | Bluse |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Blusen |
| Accusative | die | Blusen |
| Dative | den | Blusen |
| Genitive | der | Blusen |
Note: The plural adds an -n ending.
Example Sentences
- Die neue Bluse passt perfekt zur Jeans. (The new blouse goes perfectly with the jeans.)
- Sie kauft sich die weiße Bluse. (She buys the white blouse.)
- Der Fleck auf der Bluse ist ärgerlich. (The stain on the blouse is annoying.)
- Der Schnitt der Bluse gefällt mir sehr gut. (I really like the cut of the blouse.)
- Im Schrank hängen viele bunte Blusen. (Many colorful blouses are hanging in the closet.)
- Er schenkt ihr zwei neue Blusen. (He gives her two new blouses as a gift.)
💡 How to use "die Bluse"?
"Die Bluse" is used to describe a specific type of top for women. Here are typical contexts:
- Fashion and Clothing: The most common use. Talking about the garment itself, its style, fabric, or color (e.g., Seidenbluse - silk blouse, Baumwollbluse - cotton blouse, gepunktete Bluse - polka dot blouse).
- Professional Context: Often part of a more formal or business-casual wardrobe (e.g., Sie trägt eine weiße Bluse zum Meeting. - She wears a white blouse to the meeting.).
- Distinction from "Hemd": While das Hemd (shirt) is traditionally for men, it can nowadays also be worn by women (e.g., Boyfriend-Hemd). However, a Bluse is almost exclusively for women and often more elegant or playfully designed.
- Combinations: Often worn with skirts (der Rock / die Röcke) or trousers (die Hose / die Hosen).
Different types exist, e.g., die Hemdbluse (resembles a men's shirt but with a feminine cut), die Schlupfbluse (without a full button placket, 'pull-over blouse'), die Schluppenbluse (with a bow tie at the collar).
🧠 Mnemonics for Bluse
Article Mnemonic (die):
Think: Die Bluse is for die Frau (the woman). Most items of women's clothing in German are feminine ('die'), like 'die Hose' (trousers), 'die Jacke' (jacket).
Meaning Mnemonic:
Imagine a beautiful blue sea ('Bluse' sounds a bit like 'blue sea'). A blouse is often light and airy, like a breeze over the sea, and it's a type of shirt for women. OR Think 'Blossom' - blouses often have floral patterns or are elegant like blossoms, associating them with feminine 'die'.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Bluse
Synonyms (similar meaning):
⚠️ Similar, but different words:
- Tunika: (Tunic) Often longer than a blouse, looser fit, sometimes dress-like.
- Body: (Bodysuit) A one-piece garment combining a top and a bottom part (like briefs).
😄 A Little Joke
Deutsch: Frage: Was ist der Unterschied zwischen einer Bluse und einem Ehemann? Antwort: Eine Bluse kann man auch mal wechseln, wenn sie einem nicht mehr gefällt!
English Translation: Question: What's the difference between a blouse and a husband? Answer: You can change a blouse when you don't like it anymore!
✒️ Poetry for Blouse
Die Bluse, fein und leicht,
(The blouse, fine and light,)
Aus Seide, sanft sie streicht.
(Of silk, it gently touches.)
Mit Knöpfen klein und zart,
(With buttons small and delicate,)
Ein modisches Kunstwerk apart.
(A fashionable artwork unique.)
Ob weiß, ob bunt, ob schlicht,
(Whether white, or colorful, or plain,)
Sie kleidet jedes Gesicht.
(It suits every face.)
Am Körper schmiegt sie sich an,
(It clings closely to the body,)
Die Bluse zieht Blicke an.
(The blouse attracts glances.)
❓ Little Riddle
Ich kleide Frauen obenrum,
(I dress women from the waist up,)
Bin schicker oft als T-Shirts, dumm
(Am often chicer than T-shirts, dumb)
Wär's, mich mit 'nem Hemd zu gleichen,
(It would be to equate me with a shirt,)
Auch wenn wir uns manchmal ähneln in Reichen.
(Even if we sometimes resemble each other in realms.)
Ich hab' Knöpfe oder auch 'ne Schleife dran.
(I have buttons or sometimes a bow attached.)
Wer weiß, wie man mich nennen kann?
(Who knows what you can call me?)
Solution: Die Bluse (The blouse)
➕ More Information
Word Origin (Etymology):
The German word "Bluse" comes from the French word blouse, which originally referred to a smock or work coat, and later came to mean the lighter shirt for women.
Typical Compound Words:
- Blusenstoff (der) - blouse fabric
- Blusenkragen (der) - blouse collar
- Seidenbluse (die) - silk blouse
- Baumwollbluse (die) - cotton blouse
- Leinenbluse (die) - linen blouse
- Hemdbluse (die) - shirt blouse
- Schlupfbluse (die) - slip-on / pull-over blouse
- Schluppenbluse (die) - pussy-bow blouse
Summary: is it der, die or das Bluse?
The German word Bluse is feminine. Therefore, the correct article is always die: die Bluse (singular) and die Blusen (plural).