die
Hitliste
🎯 What exactly is a Hitliste?
The German word Hitliste (feminine, article: die) is a ranking list ordered by popularity or success. Most commonly, the term is used in the context of music (e.g., the single charts), but it can also refer to books (bestseller lists), films, or other products that are currently particularly successful or popular.
It is a compound word formed from:
Since Liste is feminine (die Liste), die Hitliste is also feminine. There are no other articles for this word. 🚨 Attention: Do not confuse it with a simple sales list; die Hitliste implies a ranking based on popularity or success.
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 in Focus: Die Hitliste
The noun „Hitliste“ is feminine.
Declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (1st case) | die | Hitliste |
| Genitive (2nd case) | der | Hitliste |
| Dative (3rd case) | der | Hitliste |
| Accusative (4th case) | die | Hitliste |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Hitlisten |
| Genitive | der | Hitlisten |
| Dative | den | Hitlisten |
| Accusative | die | Hitlisten |
Example Sentences
- Der neue Song stürmte sofort an die Spitze der Hitliste.
(The new song immediately stormed to the top of the charts.) - Viele Radiosender spielen wöchentlich die aktuelle Hitliste.
(Many radio stations play the current charts weekly.) - Die Verkaufszahlen beeinflussen die Position in der Hitliste maßgeblich.
(Sales figures significantly influence the position in the charts.) - Auf Platz eins der Buch-Hitliste steht ein spannender Krimi.
(Number one on the book bestseller list is an exciting crime novel.)
🎶 How is "Hitliste" used?
The term Hitliste is mainly used in the following contexts:
- Music charts: This is the most common use. People talk about Single-Hitlisten, Album-Hitlisten, etc. Example: „Welches Lied ist diese Woche auf Platz 1 der deutschen Hitliste?“ (Which song is number 1 on the German charts this week?)
- Book bestseller lists: The term is also used for popular books. Example: „Sein Debütroman schaffte es auf Anhieb in die Spiegel-Hitliste.“ (His debut novel made it onto the Spiegel bestseller list right away.)
- Film rankings: Less common, but possible to describe the most successful films at the box office or on streaming services. Example: „Die Hitliste der erfolgreichsten Filme aller Zeiten wird von Blockbustern dominiert.“ (The chart of the most successful films of all time is dominated by blockbusters.)
- General rankings: Occasionally used for other popular things, e.g., „die Hitliste der beliebtesten Urlaubsziele“ (the ranking of the most popular holiday destinations).
Die Hitliste emphasizes the aspect of popularity and success ('hits'). It differs from a more neutral Rangliste (ranking list) or Liste (list), which are not necessarily based on popularity.
🧠 Mnemonics for Hitliste
Article Mnemonic: Remember that Hitliste ends in -liste. And die Liste (the list) is feminine in German. Therefore, it must also be die Hitliste.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a popular song getting a big hit with the audience, landing it on die Liste (the list) of top songs – die Hitliste!
🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Flopliste (list of failures, colloquial)
- (Direct antonyms are rare; one usually speaks of 'not being on the charts' or 'having fallen off the charts'.)
⚠️ Similar but Misleading Words:
- Wunschliste: A wish list (nothing to do with success).
- Checkliste: A checklist for tasks.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Mathematiker versucht, die Sinuskurve in die Hitliste zu bringen?
Weil sie so viele Hochs und Tiefs hat!
(Why did the mathematician try to get the sine wave onto the charts? Because it has so many highs and lows!)
🎤 A Little Rhyme about the Hitliste
Von Platz zehn bis zur Eins,
Jeder Song will der Beste sein's.
Im Radio rauf und runter,
Macht die Hitliste die Welt bunter.
Wer oben steht, hat den Applaus,
Wer fällt, fliegt schnell wieder raus.
(From place ten up to one,
Every song wants to be the best one.
On the radio up and down it goes,
The chart makes the world more colourful, everyone knows.
Who stands at the top, gets the applause,
Who falls, quickly drops out without pause.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich zeige dir, was alle hören,
Oder welche Bücher sie begehren.
Ich habe Stufen, doch keine Treppe,
Und ändere mich jede Woche, wette?!
Was bin ich?
(I show you what everyone is listening to,
Or which books they desire anew.
I have levels, but no stairs to climb,
And change every week, I bet you this time?!
What am I?)
Solution: die Hitliste (the charts/hit list)
💡 Other Information
Word Composition (Etymology):
The word Hitliste is a compound noun, composed of:
- Hit: Borrowed from English 'hit', originally meaning 'strike' or 'blow'. Figuratively, it became popular in the 20th century for a successful song or popular item.
- Liste: A German word for a list or directory, derived from Middle High German 'līste' ('border, strip').
Cultural Significance:
Hitlisten (Charts) play a significant role in the music and media industry. They influence purchasing decisions, radio airplay, and public perception of artists and works. They serve as a barometer of trends and the spirit of the times (Zeitgeist).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Hitliste?
The word "Hitliste" is feminine. The correct article is die: die Hitliste (singular), die Hitlisten (plural).