die
Geldbörse
👛 What exactly is a Geldbörse?
The German word die Geldbörse refers to a small container, usually made of leather, fabric, or plastic, primarily used to store and carry cash (coins and bills), credit cards, ID cards, and other important cards or papers. In English, this translates to a wallet or purse.
It's an everyday accessory for both men and women. The article is always die because the noun is feminine (derived from die Börse).
🚨 Common mistake: Using 'der' or 'das'. Remember: it's always die Geldbörse.
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: Die Geldbörse
The noun „Geldbörse“ is feminine. Therefore, the correct definite article is always die.
Declension
Here’s how to decline die Geldbörse (the wallet/purse):
| Case | Article | Noun | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Geldbörse | the wallet/purse |
| Genitive | der | Geldbörse | of the wallet/purse |
| Dative | der | Geldbörse | to/for the wallet/purse |
| Accusative | die | Geldbörse | the wallet/purse |
| Case | Article | Noun | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Geldbörsen | the wallets/purses |
| Genitive | der | Geldbörsen | of the wallets/purses |
| Dative | den | Geldbörsen | to/for the wallets/purses |
| Accusative | die | Geldbörsen | the wallets/purses |
Example Sentences
- Ich habe meine Geldbörse zu Hause vergessen.
(I forgot my wallet/purse at home.) - In der Geldbörse sind mein Ausweis und meine Kreditkarten.
(My ID and credit cards are in the wallet/purse.) - Er kaufte eine neue Geldbörse aus echtem Leder.
(He bought a new wallet made of genuine leather.) - Die Polizei fand die gestohlenen Geldbörsen.
(The police found the stolen wallets/purses.)
💡 How to Use "Geldbörse" Correctly
Die Geldbörse is used in everyday German when referring to the item that holds your money and cards.
- Daily Life: "Kannst du mir kurz Geld leihen? Meine Geldbörse liegt im Auto." (Can you lend me some money quickly? My wallet is in the car.)
- Shopping: "Ich bezahle bar, ich nehme das Geld aus meiner Geldbörse." (I'll pay cash, I'll take the money from my wallet/purse.)
- Synonyms: Often, Portemonnaie (from French, also neuter: das Portemonnaie) or Geldbeutel (masculine: der Geldbeutel) are used synonymously. "Geldbörse" is a very common and neutral term. While Geldbeutel can sometimes sound a bit more colloquial, Geldbörse is standard.
⚠️ Be careful not to say der Geldbörse or das Geldbörse. It's always die Geldbörse.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Remembering the Article: The base word is "die Börse" (like the stock exchange - also a place for money!). So, the word for a money purse is also feminine: die Geldbörse. Think: She (feminine 'die') keeps her money in her purse ('Börse').
Remembering the Meaning: It's a compound word: Geld (money) + Börse (purse/pouch). Literally a 'money purse'. Easy!
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- das Portemonnaie: Very common, borrowed from French, often seen as slightly more elegant. Note: it's neuter ('das').
- der Geldbeutel: More colloquial ('money bag'), often used for simpler wallets. Note: it's masculine ('der').
- die Brieftasche: (Letter wallet) Often focuses more on bills and cards than coins, sometimes more specific to men's wallets. Feminine ('die').
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat die Geldbörse nie gute Laune?
(Why is the wallet never in a good mood?)
Weil sie ständig gekniffen wird! 😉
(Because it's constantly being pinched! - 'gekniffen sein' can also mean 'to be broke' or 'in a tight spot')
✍️ Poem about the Geldbörse
Die Geldbörse, klein und fein,
Hält Münzen, Scheine, Ausweis rein.
Mal prall gefüllt, mal eher leer,
Ohne sie fällt's oft uns schwer.
Sie reist mit uns durch Stadt und Land,
Stets griffbereit in unserer Hand.
(The wallet/purse, small and fine,
Holds coins, bills, ID, all in line.
Sometimes bulging, sometimes rather bare,
Without it, life's harder to bear.
It travels with us through town and land,
Always ready in our hand.)
❓ A Little Riddle
Ich habe keine Stimme, doch ich spreche durch den Wert,
Ich habe keinen Magen, doch werde oft geleert.
Ich trage Karten, Scheine und das harte, runde Geld,
Bin mal aus Stoff, mal Leder, reise mit dir durch die Welt.
Was bin ich?
(I have no voice, yet I speak through value,
I have no stomach, yet I'm often emptied.
I carry cards, bills, and the hard, round money,
I'm sometimes fabric, sometimes leather, traveling the world with you.
What am I?)
Solution: die Geldbörse (the wallet/purse)
🧩 Word Parts and Interesting Facts
Word Composition
The word "Geldbörse" is a compound noun, formed from:
- das Geld: money (currency: coins, bills).
- die Börse: Originally a pouch or bag, often with a drawstring (related to Latin bursa). Today also used for the stock exchange (die Börse).
Together, it literally means a "money purse" or "money pouch".
Trivia
Wallets and purses (Geldbörsen) come in countless designs, from simple pouches to elaborate designer items with numerous compartments for cards, coins, and even smartphones. The distinction between 'wallet' (often for men, flatter) and 'purse' (often for women, sometimes larger) in English isn't always directly mirrored; Geldbörse can refer to both types.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Geldbörse?
The correct article for Geldbörse is always die. The word is feminine: die Geldbörse (the wallet/purse), plural: die Geldbörsen (the wallets/purses).