die
Eintrittskarte
🎟️ What Exactly is an 'Eintrittskarte'?
An Eintrittskarte (feminine noun, article: die) is a document, usually made of paper or card, less commonly digital, that grants permission to enter a specific place or attend an event. You typically need one for concerts (Konzerte), museums (Museen), cinemas (Kinos), theaters (Theater), sports events (Sportveranstaltungen), or trade fairs (Messen).
It's a compound noun formed from:
Since the base word "Karte" is feminine (die Karte), "die Eintrittskarte" is also feminine. 🚨 There are no other articles for this word.
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: Declining 'die Eintrittskarte'
The noun "Eintrittskarte" is feminine. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Eintrittskarte | eine Eintrittskarte |
| Genitive | der Eintrittskarte | einer Eintrittskarte |
| Dative | der Eintrittskarte | einer Eintrittskarte |
| Accusative | die Eintrittskarte | eine Eintrittskarte |
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Eintrittskarten | Eintrittskarten / keine Eintrittskarten |
| Genitive | der Eintrittskarten | Eintrittskarten / keiner Eintrittskarten |
| Dative | den Eintrittskarten | Eintrittskarten / keinen Eintrittskarten |
| Accusative | die Eintrittskarten | Eintrittskarten / keine Eintrittskarten |
📝 Example Sentences
- Hast du die Eintrittskarten für das Konzert schon gekauft? (Have you bought the tickets for the concert yet?)
- Ohne gültige Eintrittskarte kommst du hier nicht rein. (You can't get in here without a valid admission ticket.)
- Der Preis der Eintrittskarte war überraschend hoch. (The price of the admission ticket was surprisingly high.)
- Zeigen Sie bitte Ihre Eintrittskarte am Eingang vor. (Please show your admission ticket at the entrance.)
💡 How to Use 'Eintrittskarte'?
"Eintrittskarte" is the standard German word for a ticket granting admission.
- Contexts: Events (Veranstaltungen like concerts, festivals), cultural institutions (Kultureinrichtungen like museums, theaters, cinemas), sports venues (Sportstätten like stadiums), trade fairs (Messen), amusement parks (Freizeitparks), sometimes also public transport in special tariffs (e.g., Kombi-Tickets).
- Distinction from other words:
- Ticket: Often used synonymously, slightly more international and colloquial.
- Fahrkarte/Fahrschein: Specifically for public transport (Bus, Bahn, Tram). An Eintrittskarte is generally not a Fahrkarte, except for special combined offers.
- Karte: Can also mean map, playing card, postcard, etc. However, in the context of events, it's often understood as short for Eintrittskarte (“Hast du die Karten?” - Do you have the tickets?).
- Reservierung: Confirms a spot but isn't always the admission ticket itself. Sometimes you need to exchange the Reservierung for an Eintrittskarte.
- Gutschein: Often entitles you to purchase an Eintrittskarte or participate, but isn't the ticket itself.
- Digital vs. Physical: Nowadays, digital admission tickets (QR codes on smartphones) are common alongside traditional paper tickets. The term "Eintrittskarte" can refer to both.
🧠 Mnemonics for Eintrittskarte
Remembering the Article: The base word is die Karte (the card/ticket). Many types of cards in German are feminine (die Landkarte - map, die Postkarte - postcard, die Spielkarte - playing card...). So, it's also die Eintrittskarte. Imagine an elegant lady handing you *die* Karte.
Remembering the Meaning: Think of "Ein Tritt" (one step/kick inside) + "Karte" (card/ticket). You need the Karte for the first *Tritt* (step) into the event. No Karte, no Eintritt (entry)!
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
Direct antonyms are difficult. One could argue:
- Ausschluss (exclusion, no permission to enter)
- Verbot (prohibition, explicit ban on entry)
- (No direct word for an 'exit ticket')
⚠️ Similar but Different Words
- Fahrkarte/Fahrschein: Only for means of transport.
- Reservierung: Secures a place, but often not the ticket itself.
- Gutschein: Voucher, may entitle purchase of an Eintrittskarte.
- Einladung: Invitation, can grant entry but is more personal and often free.
😂 A Little Joke
DE: Fragt der Kontrolleur am Kinoeingang: "Haben Sie eine Eintrittskarte?" Antwortet der Mann: "Ja, aber ich wollte trotzdem reingehen!"
EN: The ticket inspector at the cinema entrance asks: "Do you have an admission ticket?" The man replies: "Yes, but I wanted to go in anyway!"
📜 Ticket Poem
DE:
Zum Konzert, ins Museum, ins Bad,
braucht man sie dringend, das ist kein Rat.
Ein Stück Papier, manchmal digital,
ohne die Eintrittskarte ist der Zutritt fatal.
Sie öffnet Türen, zum Spaß, zur Kultur,
die kleine Karte, auf jeder Tour.
EN:
To the concert, museum, or pool so grand,
You need it urgently, you understand.
A piece of paper, or digital trace,
Without the admission ticket, you can't access the place.
It opens doors, to fun, to art's allure,
The little ticket, on every tour.
❓ Riddle Fun
DE:
Ich bin dein Pass für Spaß und Spiel,
ohne mich erreichst du nicht dein Ziel.
Ob Rockkonzert, Museum oder Zoo,
ich lass dich rein, mal hier, mal so.
Was bin ich?
EN:
I am your pass for fun and games, you see,
Without me, you won't reach your destiny.
Be it rock concert, museum, or zoo's array,
I let you in, come what may.
What am I?
Solution: die Eintrittskarte (the admission ticket)
🧩 Word Composition & More
"Eintrittskarte" is a classic example of a German compound noun (Kompositum).
- Determinant: Eintritt (specifies what the card is for - entry)
- Base word: Karte (determines the gender/article and the basic meaning - card/ticket)
The principle: The last noun in a compound determines the article. Since it's die Karte, it's also die Eintrittskarte.
Trivia: In the past, admission tickets (Eintrittskarten) were often elaborately designed and are sometimes collector's items today.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Eintrittskarte?
The German word "Eintrittskarte" is always feminine. The correct article is exclusively die: die Eintrittskarte (singular), die Eintrittskarten (plural).