die
Geldkassette
💰 *What Exactly is a Geldkassette?*
A Geldkassette is a *small container, usually made of metal and lockable*. It primarily serves for the *secure storage and transport of cash* (Bargeld - notes and coins). Sometimes, *small valuables or important documents* are also kept inside. It is typically *portable* and offers *basic protection against quick access and theft*, but is *less secure than a Tresor (safe or vault)*. It's essentially a cash box or money box.
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 Geldkassette*
The word "Geldkassette" is a *compound noun* (Geld + Kassette). The *grammatical gender* is determined by the *base word* "Kassette", which is *feminine*. Therefore, the article is die.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Geldkassette |
| Genitive | der | Geldkassette |
| Dative | der | Geldkassette |
| Accusative | die | Geldkassette |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Geldkassetten |
| Genitive | der | Geldkassetten |
| Dative | den | Geldkassetten |
| Accusative | die | Geldkassetten |
Example Sentences for Geldkassette
- Die Verkäuferin legt das Wechselgeld in die Geldkassette. (The cashier puts the change into the cash box.)
- Der Schlüssel der Geldkassette ist verschwunden. (The key to the cash box has disappeared.)
- Ich habe den Scheck der Geldkassette entnommen. (I took the check out of the cash box.)
- Bitte schließe die Geldkassette sorgfältig ab. (Please lock the cash box carefully.)
- In den Geldkassetten des Vereins fehlte Geld. (Money was missing from the club's cash boxes.)
🛒 *When and How to Use a Geldkassette?*
Geldkassetten are used in various situations:
- Private households (Privathaushalte): For storing household money (Haushaltsgeld), small savings (Ersparnisse), or pocket money (Taschengeld).
- Small businesses/Retail (Kleinunternehmen/Einzelhandel): As a mobile cash register or for storing daily earnings until deposited at the bank.
- Clubs/Events (Vereine/Veranstaltungen): At festivals (Festen), flea markets (Flohmärkten), or bazaars for collecting entrance fees or sales revenue.
- Offices (Büros): For petty cash (Portokasse) or small cash expenses.
Compared to a Portemonnaie (wallet/purse), it is larger and intended to be more stationary, but more mobile than a permanently installed Tresor or Safe, which offers significantly more security.
🧠 *Mnemonics and Memory Aids*
Article Mnemonic: The base word is "Kassette". Many German words ending in -ette are feminine (die Zigarette, die Serviette, die Kassette) – hence, it's die Geldkassette.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine securely putting your Geld (money) into a small box, like a tape Kassette (cassette) box. Geld + Kassette = *container for money*.
↔️ *Synonyms and Antonyms for Geldkassette*
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Geldkasten (money box)
- Kasse (till, cash box - in the sense of container)
- Barkasse (petty cash box)
- Schatulle (casket, typically for jewelry, but can hold money)
- Spardose (piggy bank - different purpose, but similar form)
Antonyms (Opposites):
- Tresor / Safe (much more secure, larger, often fixed)
- Portemonnaie / Geldbörse (wallet/purse - smaller, for daily use on the go)
- Bankkonto (bank account - non-physical money storage)
Potential for Confusion:
Be careful not to confuse die Geldkassette with a Musikkassette (music cassette) or Videokassette (video cassette), which also contain "Kassette" but are entirely different objects.
😂 *A Little Joke*
Fragt der Einbrecher seinen Kumpel: "Hast du die Geldkassette geknackt?"
Antwortet der: "Ja, aber da war nur Wechselgeld drin."
Sagt der erste: "Siehst du, Abwechslung muss sein!"
(The burglar asks his buddy: "Did you crack the cash box?"
The buddy replies: "Yes, but there was only Wechselgeld (change) inside."
The first one says: "See, you need some Abwechslung (variety/change)!" - It's a pun on Wechselgeld and Abwechslung.)
✍️ *Poem about the Geldkassette*
Die Geldkassette, fest und klein,
schließt Münzen und auch manchen Schein.
Ihr Schloss bewahrt den Inhalt gut,
gibt Sicherheit und neuen Mut.
Ob auf dem Markt, ob im Verein,
sie hilft, die Kasse rein zu sein.
(The cash box, firm and small,
Locks up coins and banknotes tall.
Its lock keeps the contents well,
Gives security, breaks the spell
Of worry. At market or club meet,
It helps keep the finances neat.)
❓ *A Little Riddle*
Ich habe einen Schlitz, doch bin kein Briefkasten.
Ich habe ein Schloss, doch bin kein Haus.
Ich halte Geld, doch bin keine Bank.
Was bin ich?
(I have a slot, but I'm not a mailbox.
I have a lock, but I'm not a house.
I hold money, but I'm not a bank.
What am I?)
Lösung/Solution: die Geldkassette (the cash box)
🧩 *Other Information*
Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):
The word "Geldkassette" is a *compound noun (Kompositum)*, formed from two nouns:
- Geld: Refers to *money*, especially cash.
- Kassette: Comes from the French "cassette", a diminutive of "casse" (*box*). It means *small box or container*.
Together, the meaning is *"small box for money"*.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Geldkassette?
The word "Geldkassette" is feminine, so the correct article is die Geldkassette. It refers to a small, lockable container used for storing cash, commonly known as a cash box or money box.