die
Hosentasche
👖 What does 'die Hosentasche' mean?
The German word die Hosentasche (feminine noun) refers to a small pocket sewn into or onto a pair of Hose (trousers/pants). It's used to store and carry small items like keys, money, tissues, or a mobile phone.
It's a compound word made up of:
Because the base word "Tasche" is feminine (die Tasche), "Hosentasche" is also feminine (die Hosentasche).
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 Hosentasche
"Hosentasche" is a feminine noun. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Word |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Hosentasche |
| Genitive | der | Hosentasche |
| Dative | der | Hosentasche |
| Accusative | die | Hosentasche |
| Case | Article | Word |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Hosentaschen |
| Genitive | der | Hosentaschen |
| Dative | den | Hosentaschen |
| Accusative | die | Hosentaschen |
💡 Example Sentences
- Ich habe meine Schlüssel in der Hosentasche vergessen. (I forgot my keys in my trouser pocket.)
- Kinder sammeln oft seltsame Dinge in ihren Hosentaschen. (Children often collect strange things in their pockets.)
- Er steckte die Hände lässig in die Hosentaschen. (He casually put his hands in his pockets.)
- Die Hosentasche ist leider gerissen. (Unfortunately, the pocket is torn.)
🚶♀️ Everyday Use of Hosentasche
Die Hosentasche is a very common word in daily life. You use it whenever you refer to the pocket that is part of a pair of trousers – whether it's at the front, back (Gesäßtasche), or side.
- Typical contexts: Looking for something, storing something, putting hands inside, describing where something is.
- Distinction: A Jackentasche is in a jacket, a Handtasche is a separate bag you carry. Hosentasche refers specifically to the pocket in trousers/pants.
- Colloquial use: Sometimes people just say "Tasche" if the context makes it clear that the trouser pocket is meant (e.g., "Hast du Geld in der Tasche?" - "Do you have money in your pocket?").
🧠 Memory Aids
Article mnemonic: Remember die Tasche (the pocket/bag). The gender of the last part of a compound noun determines the gender of the whole word. Since it's die Tasche, it's also die Hosentasche. Think 'feminine' like fashion ('die Mode').
Meaning mnemonic: Imagine your Hose (pants) have a little pouch, a Tasche (pocket), sewn onto them. Hose + Tasche = Hosentasche. Simple!
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Sack (colloquial): Sometimes used informally for a pocket, e.g., "in den Sack stecken" (to stick in the pocket/sack).
- Gesäßtasche: Specifically the back pocket / hip pocket.
- Einschubtasche: A pocket you slide something into (lit. 'slide-in pocket').
Antonyms (opposites):
- There isn't a direct antonym. You could talk about trousers ohne Taschen (without pockets).
Similar terms (potential confusion!):
- Jackentasche: Pocket in a jacket.
- Handtasche: Handbag/purse (separate bag).
- Beutel: Often a loose bag or pouch, not usually sewn onto clothing.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Mathematiker immer Kleingeld in der Hosentasche?
Damit er immer etwas zum Rechnen hat!
Why does the mathematician always have small change in his pocket?
So he always has something to calculate/count with! (Pun: rechnen means 'to calculate' or 'to count', but also implies having money).
✍️ Little Pocket Poem
In meiner Hosentasche, tief und klein,
versteck ich manchen Schatz, ganz fein.
Ein Schlüsselbund, ein Kaugummi,
manchmal auch nur Krümel, ohje mi!
Sie wärmt die Hand an kalten Tagen,
die treue Tasche, ohne Klagen.
Ein stiller Diener, stets bereit,
in meiner Hose, jederzeit.
In my pocket, deep and small,
I hide many treasures, standing tall.
A set of keys, a chewing gum piece,
Sometimes just crumbs, oh dear me, cease!
It warms the hand on colder days,
The faithful pocket, in many ways.
A silent servant, always there,
In my trousers, beyond compare.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin ein Teil von deiner Hose,
mal groß, mal klein, mal lose.
Du steckst dort Schlüssel, Geld und mehr hinein,
doch bin ich selber meistens leer und klein.
Was bin ich?
I am part of your trousers/pants,
Sometimes big, sometimes small, by chance.
You put keys, money, and more inside,
But I myself am often empty and hide.
What am I?
Solution: Die Hosentasche (The trouser pocket)
🧩 Other Information
Word Composition (Kompositum):
Die Hosentasche is a classic example of a German compound noun. It consists of:
- Determinant: Hose(n) - Specifies the type of pocket (one on/in the trousers). The 'n' is a linking element (Fugen-n).
- Base word: Tasche - Determines the gender (feminine) and the basic meaning (a container/pocket/bag).
Trivia:
- The small pockets on the front of jeans (often inside the right front pocket) were originally designed for pocket watches.
- What people carry in their Hosentaschen can reveal a lot about their habits and daily lives!
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Hosentasche?
The word "Hosentasche" is feminine. The correct article is die Hosentasche.