die
Eingabe
⌨️ What exactly is "die Eingabe"?
The German word die Eingabe primarily has two meanings:
- In a technical context (Computers/IT): Here, die Eingabe refers to the data, commands, or information entered into a system (e.g., computer, software, device). This is often done via keyboard (*Tastatur*), mouse (*Maus*), touchscreen, or voice (*Sprache*). Think of it as 'input'.
- In a legal or administrative context: Here, die Eingabe means a formal written submission, petition, application, or complaint filed with an authority (*Behörde*), a court (*Gericht*), or another official body.
Grammatically, it's a feminine noun, so you always use the article die Eingabe.
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 Deep Dive: Declining "die Eingabe"
"Eingabe" is a feminine noun. Its declension is regular.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Eingabe |
| Genitive | der | Eingabe |
| Dative | der | Eingabe |
| Accusative | die | Eingabe |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Eingaben |
| Genitive | der | Eingaben |
| Dative | den | Eingaben |
| Accusative | die | Eingaben |
Example Sentences
- Die Eingabe der Zugangsdaten ist erforderlich. (Entering the login details is necessary. - Technical context)
- Bitte prüfen Sie Ihre Eingabe auf Richtigkeit. (Please check your input for correctness. - Technical context)
- Der Bürger reichte eine formlose Eingabe bei der Stadtverwaltung ein. (The citizen submitted an informal petition to the city administration. - Administrative context)
- Das Gericht prüft nun die fristgerecht erfolgte Eingabe des Anwalts. (The court is now examining the lawyer's timely submission. - Legal context)
💡 Using "Eingabe" Correctly
The context determines the meaning of die Eingabe:
- Technology/Computers: Often used for Dateneingabe (data entry), Texteingabe (text input), Befehlseingabe (command input), or Spracheingabe (voice input). It's about feeding information into a system. Example: "Die Software wartet auf die Eingabe des Benutzers." (The software is waiting for user input.)
- Law/Administration: In this field, die Eingabe is a formal act of submission. It can be an Antrag (application), Gesuch (request), Beschwerde (complaint), or Petition. Example: "Ihre Eingabe wird bearbeitet." (Your submission is being processed.)
Distinction from similar words:
- Der Eintrag: Usually refers to a single item in a list, database, or registry (e.g., *ein Wörterbucheintrag* - a dictionary entry).
- Die Angabe: Refers to a piece of information provided or a statement made (e.g., *persönliche Angaben machen* - to provide personal details).
- Der Antrag: Is more specific than *Eingabe* and usually denotes a formal request for a benefit or permit. However, an *Eingabe* can sometimes be an *Antrag*.
⚠️ Be careful not to confuse *Eingabe* in the technical sense with *Ausgabe* (output).
🧠 Memory Hooks for "Eingabe"
Article Mnemonic (die): You submit your petition to 'die' authorities. The many 'e' sounds help remember 'die'. Or think: *die input device*.
Meaning Mnemonic (Input/Submission): You actively 'give' (*geben*) something 'in' (*ein*) – whether it's data into a computer (Input) or a document to an office (Submission). The result is the *Eingabe*.
↔️ Similar & Opposite: Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
Watch out for similar words
- Der Eintrag: An entry in a list (e.g., *Telefonbucheintrag* - phone book entry).
- Die Angabe: Information provided (e.g., *Altersangabe* - age specification).
😂 A Little Joke
DE: Fragt der Informatiker den anderen: "Hast du meine letzte Eingabe bekommen?" Sagt der andere: "Nein, mein System hatte gerade einen Pufferüberlauf – deine Eingabe ist ins Leere gelaufen!"
EN: One computer scientist asks the other: "Did you receive my last input?" The other replies: "No, my system just had a buffer overflow – your input went nowhere!"
🎵 A Rhyme for "Eingabe"
DE:
Die Tastatur, sie klickt und klackt,
ein neuer Datensatz, exakt.
Die Eingabe fließt ins System,
digital und bequem.
Beim Amt ein Stapel, hoch und breit,
'ne Eingabe für die Ewigkeit?
Ob Antrag oder nur ein Gruß,
es ist ein offizieller Schuss.
EN:
The keyboard clicks, a steady sound,
New data entered, all around.
The Eingabe flows into the core,
Digital convenience and more.
At the office, papers mount,
An Eingabe, beyond count?
A request or just a note you send,
An official means to an end.
❓ What am I?
DE:
Ich kann ein Befehl sein, den dein Computer versteht,
oder ein Brief, der zur Behörde geht.
Manchmal bin ich nur ein Klick,
manchmal ein ganzes Schriftstück.
Ohne mich steht vieles still,
weil Information man haben will.
Na, was bin ich?
Lösung: Die Eingabe
EN:
I can be a command your computer will heed,
Or a letter the authorities read.
Sometimes I'm just a simple click,
Sometimes a document, quite thick.
Without me, things may cease to run,
Because information is wanted by everyone.
Well, what am I?
Answer: Die Eingabe
✨ More Interesting Facts
Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):
The word "Eingabe" is a noun derived from the verb "eingeben" (to enter, input, submit). It is composed of:
- Prefix "ein-": meaning 'in' or 'into'.
- Stem from the verb "geben": meaning 'to give', 'to hand over', 'to submit'.
The "-e" ending and capitalization turn geben into the feminine noun die Gabe (the gift, the dose), and combined with "ein-", it becomes die Eingabe.
Trivia: In German administrative jargon (*Beamtendeutsch*), an *Eingabe* can sometimes be informal (*formlos*), meaning it doesn't require a specific form, as long as it's submitted in writing.
Summary: is it der, die or das Eingabe?
The noun "Eingabe" is feminine, so the correct article is always die Eingabe.