die
Hose
👖 What exactly is a "Hose"?
Die Hose (plural: die Hosen) refers to an item of clothing covering the lower body and legs, with separate coverings for each leg. It translates to trousers or pants.
In German, die Hose is a singular noun, even when referring to one pair of trousers/pants (unlike in English where 'trousers/pants' are often plural). When talking about multiple pairs, you use the plural die Hosen.
There are many different types, often formed as compound words (Komposita), e.g.:
- Jeanshose (often just called Jeans)
- Stoffhose (fabric trousers)
- Kurze Hose (shorts)
- Lederhose (leather trousers, traditional Bavarian/Austrian clothing)
- Anzughose (suit trousers)
🚨 Be careful: Although it's clothing for two legs, the word in German is singular and feminine: die Hose.
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 Hose"
The noun "Hose" is feminine (*feminin*). Here are the declension tables (*Deklinationstabellen*):
| Case (Kasus) | Article (Artikel) | Noun (Substantiv) |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Hose |
| Genitive | der | Hose |
| Dative | der | Hose |
| Accusative | die | Hose |
| Case (Kasus) | Article (Artikel) | Noun (Substantiv) |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Hosen |
| Genitive | der | Hosen |
| Dative | den | Hosen |
| Accusative | die | Hosen |
Example Sentences (Beispielsätze)
- Meine Lieblingshose ist blau. (My favorite pair of trousers is blue.)
- Der Reißverschluss der Hose ist kaputt. (The zipper of the trousers is broken.)
- Ich helfe dir mit der Hose. (I'll help you with the trousers. - e.g., dressing a child)
- Ich kaufe mir die Hose. (I'm buying the trousers. / I'm buying this pair of trousers.)
- Im Schrank liegen viele bunte Hosen. (There are many colorful trousers in the closet.)
👖 Using "die Hose": When and How?
"Die Hose" is the standard word for trousers/pants throughout the German-speaking world.
- Everyday clothing: "Ich ziehe mir schnell eine Hose an." (I'll quickly put on some trousers.)
- Shopping: "Haben Sie diese Hose auch in Größe 38?" (Do you have these trousers in size 38?)
- Idioms (Redewendungen):
- Die Hosen anhaben: Literally 'to wear the trousers', meaning to be the boss or the one in charge in a relationship or group. "Bei Müllers hat sie eindeutig die Hosen an." (In the Müller family, she clearly wears the pants.)
- Sich in die Hosen machen (vor Angst): Literally 'to do it in one's pants (out of fear)', meaning to be very scared. "Vor der Prüfung hat er sich fast in die Hosen gemacht." (He almost wet his pants before the exam.)
- Etwas geht in die Hose: Literally 'something goes into the trousers', meaning something goes wrong or fails. "Unser Plan ist leider total in die Hose gegangen." (Unfortunately, our plan completely failed.)
Compared to more specific terms like "Jeans" or "Leggings", "Hose" is the more general term (*Oberbegriff*).
💡 Memory Hooks for "die Hose"
Article Aid: Many feminine nouns in German end in '-e', just like Hose. Think of *die* Hose.
Meaning Aid: Imagine someone wearing trousers full of *holes* (sounds a bit like Hose). Or, perhaps more helpfully, associate the German word *Hose* with the English word *hosiery*, which relates to legwear.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Words
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- Beinkleid: (Slightly dated or formal) A general term for clothing covering the legs.
- Jeans: (Specific type) Trousers made of denim. Often used synonymously when jeans are meant.
- Pants: (Anglicism, rare and rather colloquial in German for long trousers, more common for underpants!) ⚠️ Careful: In American English 'pants' means long trousers, in British English often 'underpants'. Mostly uncommon for long trousers in German.
😄 A Little Joke
DE: Warum tragen Gespenster keine Hosen?
EN: Why don't ghosts wear trousers?
DE: Weil sie durchsichtig sind und man eh alles sehen würde!
EN: Because they're transparent and you'd see everything anyway!
✍️ Trousers in a Poem
DE:
Ob kurz, ob lang, ob weit, ob schmal,
die Hose dient uns allemal.
Aus Jeans, aus Cord, aus feinem Tuch,
man hat nie Hosen genug.
Sie wärmt die Beine, sieht gut aus,
und kommt selten aus der Mode raus.
EN:
Be it short, be it long, be it wide, be it slim,
the trousers serve us through thick and thin.
Of jeans, of cord, of fabric fine,
one never has enough trousers, it's a sign.
They warm the legs, look good indeed,
and rarely go out of fashion's creed.
❓ Trouser Riddle
DE:
Ich habe zwei Beine, doch kann nicht gehen.
Ich werde getragen, um gut auszusehen.
Mal bin ich kurz, mal bin ich lang,
man zieht mich an, den ganzen Tag lang.
Was bin ich?
EN:
I have two legs, but cannot walk.
I am worn, so people can look good and talk.
Sometimes I'm short, sometimes I'm long,
I'm put on all day long.
What am I?
Answer: die Hose (trousers/pants)
✨ More about "die Hose"
Compound Words (Wortzusammensetzungen / Komposita): The word "Hose" is very productive in forming new words in German. Examples:
- Hosentasche (trouser pocket)
- Hosenstall (fly/zip area - dated/colloquial)
- Hosenanzug (pantsuit)
- Angsthose (scaredy-cat, coward - colloquial)
- Windelhose (diaper pants)
Cultural Note: The Lederhose (leather trousers) is a traditional garment particularly associated with Bavaria and Austria.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Hose?
The German word for 'pants' or 'trousers' is die Hose (feminine). The plural is die Hosen.