die
Dicke
📏 What does "die Dicke" mean?
The word die Dicke is a nominalized adjective derived from dick (thick, fat) and primarily has two meanings:
Physical Dimension/Thickness: It describes the quality of how thick something is, its dimension perpendicular to length and width. Example: die Dicke einer Mauer (the thickness of a wall).
Colloquial (often derogatory): A fat person: It can refer, usually informally and sometimes critically or even offensively, to an overweight person. ⚠️ Caution: This usage can be perceived as insensitive.
It is almost exclusively used with the feminine article die.
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 of "die Dicke" in Detail
Die Dicke is a feminine noun. It's formed by nominalizing the adjective dick (thick/fat).
Declension (Singular):
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | No Article |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Dicke | eine Dicke | Dicke |
| Genitive | der Dicke | einer Dicke | Dicke |
| Dative | der Dicke | einer Dicke | Dicke |
| Accusative | die Dicke | eine Dicke | Dicke |
Plural (only for the meaning 'fat person'):
| Case | Definite Article | No Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Dicken | Dicke |
| Genitive | der Dicken | Dicker |
| Dative | den Dicken | Dicken |
| Accusative | die Dicken | Dicke |
Example Sentences 📝
- Die Dicke des Brettes beträgt 3 cm.
(The thickness of the board is 3 cm.) - Die Handwerker maßen die Dicke der Isolierung.
(The craftsmen measured the thickness of the insulation.) - Er nannte sie abfällig "die Dicke".
(He disparagingly called her "the fat one". ⚠️ derogatory) - Die Dicken trafen sich zum Erfahrungsaustausch.
(The overweight people met to exchange experiences.)
🗣️ How to use "die Dicke"?
Usage heavily depends on the meaning:
- Physical Thickness: Often used in technical, craft-related, or scientific contexts to specify dimensions. Examples: die Dicke einer Schicht (the thickness of a layer), die Dicke eines Buches (the thickness of a book), die Wanddicke (the wall thickness). Here, it's a neutral term.
- Term for a Person: This usage is colloquial and often has negative connotations or is at least very informal. It should be used with caution as it can easily be perceived as offensive or disrespectful (body shaming). Alternatives like übergewichtig (overweight) or korpulent (corpulent) are more neutral if a description is necessary.
Potential for Confusion:
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Dicke"
Article Mnemonic: Think of die Dimension (dimension) – dimensions include thickness. Die Dimension helps remember die Dicke.
Meaning Mnemonic (Thickness): Imagine measuring the 'D-eepness' or 'D-epth' of material, which relates to its Dicke (thickness).
Meaning Mnemonic (Person): Remember that judging someone by die figure (feminine noun) can be problematic, just like using die Dicke for a person can be. Use this meaning with care!
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
- For thickness/extent: die Stärke (strength, thickness), der Umfang (circumference, extent), das Ausmaß (extent, degree), die Mächtigkeit (thickness, specifically for layers, less common)
- For person (colloquial/derogatory): die Korpulente (the corpulent one), die Füllige (the plump one), die Übergewichtige (the overweight one - more neutral), die Mollige (the chubby one - often diminutive)
Antonyms:
- For thickness/extent: die Dünne (thinness), die Schlankheit (slenderness, more for shapes/people)
- For person: die Dünne (the thin one), die Schlanke (the slim/slender one)
Similar but different words:
😂 A Little Joke
Lehrer: "Was ist der Unterschied zwischen Umfang und Durchmesser?"
Schüler: "Der Umfang ist das, was man misst, wenn man um einen Baum herumgeht. Die Dicke... äh... ist, warum man manchmal nicht ganz herumkommt!" 😉
Teacher: "What's the difference between circumference and diameter?"
Student: "The circumference is what you measure when you walk around a tree. The thickness... er... is why sometimes you can't quite get all the way around!" 😉
📜 Poem about Thickness
Die Mauer steht, ein starkes Stück,
Ihre Dicke gibt ihr Glück.
Sie trotzt dem Wind, dem Regen, kalt,
Durch ihre Stärke wird sie alt.
Doch spricht man leis' von "ihrer Dicke",
Meint Menschen oft, zum Missgeschicke.
Ein Wort, zwei Sinn', sei stets bedacht,
Was man damit zum Ausdruck macht.
The wall it stands, a sturdy piece,
Its thickness grants it lasting peace.
It defies the wind, the rain, the cold,
Through its great strength, it grows quite old.
But whisper low of "her great thickness",
Means people often, causing sickness (of offense).
One word, two meanings, be aware,
Of what intentions you declare.
🧩 Riddle
Ich messe Holz und auch Papier,
Wie stark es ist, das sag ich dir.
Manchmal beschreib ich Leute rund,
Doch das ist nicht gesund!
Was bin ich, mit Artikel 'die' genannt?
I measure wood and paper too,
How strong it is, I tell to you.
Sometimes describe people round,
But that use isn't sound!
What am I, with article 'die' found?
Answer: die Dicke
💡 Other Information
Word Formation: As mentioned, die Dicke is a nominalization (substantivization) of the adjective dick (thick/fat). Such nominalizations are common in German (e.g., das Gute - the good, der Alte - the old man, die Schöne - the beautiful woman).
Context is Key: Whether die Dicke refers to a neutral measurement or a potentially problematic description of a person depends entirely on the context.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Dicke?
The noun "Dicke" is always used with the feminine article die: die Dicke. It refers either to physical thickness/dimension or colloquially (often pejoratively) to a corpulent person.