die
Kaffeemaschine
☕ What does Kaffeemaschine mean?
Die Kaffeemaschine (noun, feminine) refers to an electric appliance used to brew coffee. Common types include Filterkaffeemaschinen (drip coffee makers), Espressomaschinen (espresso machines), or Pad-/Kapselmaschinen (pod/capsule machines).
It's a compound noun:
The article is always 'die' because the base word 'Maschine' is feminine in German.
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 Insights: Die Kaffeemaschine
The word 'Kaffeemaschine' is a feminine noun. The article is 'die'. Here is the declension:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Kaffeemaschine |
| Genitive | der | Kaffeemaschine |
| Dative | der | Kaffeemaschine |
| Accusative | die | Kaffeemaschine |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Kaffeemaschinen |
| Genitive | der | Kaffeemaschinen |
| Dative | den | Kaffeemaschinen |
| Accusative | die | Kaffeemaschinen |
Example Sentences
- Die Kaffeemaschine brüht frischen Kaffee. (The coffee machine brews fresh coffee.)
- Der Filter der Kaffeemaschine muss gewechselt werden. (The filter of the coffee machine needs to be changed.)
- Ich gebe Wasser in die Kaffeemaschine. (I put water into the coffee machine.)
- Wir haben viele Kaffeemaschinen im Büro. (We have many coffee machines in the office.)
💡 Using 'Kaffeemaschine' in Context
'Die Kaffeemaschine' is very common in everyday language, used at home, in the office, or in cafés. Common phrases include:
- Kaffeemaschine einschalten/ausschalten: to turn the coffee machine on/off. Example: Schalte bitte die Kaffeemaschine ein. (Please turn on the coffee machine.)
- Kaffeemaschine reinigen/entkalken: to clean/descale the coffee machine. Example: Die Kaffeemaschine muss dringend entkalkt werden. (The coffee machine urgently needs descaling.)
- Kaffee mit der Kaffeemaschine kochen/brühen/zubereiten: to make/brew/prepare coffee with the coffee machine. Example: Ich koche uns schnell einen Kaffee mit der Kaffeemaschine. (I'll quickly make us some coffee with the coffee machine.)
More specific terms exist depending on the type:
- Filterkaffeemaschine: Drip coffee maker.
- Espressomaschine/Siebträgermaschine: Espresso machine/portafilter machine.
- Kaffeevollautomat: Fully automatic coffee machine (bean-to-cup).
- Padmaschine/Kapselmaschine: Pod/capsule machine.
Contrast this with devices like die Teekanne (teapot) or der Wasserkocher (electric kettle), used for other beverages.
🧠 Memory Aids for Kaffeemaschine
Article 'die': Remember the base word is 'Maschine'. Many German nouns ending in '-e', and 'Maschine' itself, are feminine. So: die Maschine -> die Kaffeemaschine. Imagine an elegant, maybe slightly fussy lady machine (Dame Maschine) that only makes the best coffee. ☕️👸
Meaning: This is easy! The word literally tells you what it is: A machine for coffee. Kaffee (coffee) + Maschine (machine) = Kaffeemaschine. No rocket science here! 😉
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Kaffeeautomat: Often used synonymously, especially for larger or fully automatic machines (coffee vending machine or automatic coffee maker).
- Kaffeezubereiter: A more general term (coffee maker), can also include manual methods (like a French press), but sometimes used for machines.
- Brühmaschine: Less common, emphasizes the brewing process (brewing machine).
Antonyms (Opposites - in a broad sense)
There are no direct antonyms, but here are devices for different purposes:
- Teekanne: Teapot (for tea).
- Wasserkocher: Electric kettle (for heating water).
- Saftpresse: Juicer (for making juice).
Potential Confusion
- Kaffeemühle: Coffee grinder. It grinds beans but doesn't brew coffee.
😄 A Little Joke
German: Warum hat die Kaffeemaschine beim Psychologen angerufen?
Sie hatte zu viele Filterprobleme!
English: Why did the coffee machine call the psychologist?
It had too many filter problems! (Pun: 'Filter' means filter, but 'Filterprobleme' sounds like having issues that need filtering/sorting out emotionally) 😂
📜 Poem about the Machine
German:
Die Kaffeemaschine, früh am Tag,
vertreibt die Müdigkeit, oh welch ein Schlag.
Sie brummt und zischt, ein feiner Duft,
holt mich behutsam aus der Gruft.
Ein Knopfdruck nur, dann fließt das Glück,
bringt wache Geister schnell zurück.
English Translation:
The coffee machine, early in the day,
drives tiredness away, oh what a sway.
It hums and hisses, a fine scent,
gently pulls me from my sleepy tent.
Just one button press, then happiness flows,
bringing alert minds back, everyone knows.
❓ Riddle Time
German:
Ich habe einen Filter, doch bin kein Netz.
Ich brauche Wasser, doch bin kein See, zum Fetz.
Ich mache Heißes, schwarz und stark,
und wecke dich im Morgenquark.
Was bin ich?
English Translation:
I have a filter, but I'm not a net.
I need water, but I'm no lake, you bet.
I make something hot, black and strong,
and wake you up when morning comes along.
What am I?(Solution: Die Kaffeemaschine / The coffee machine)
➕ Other Information
Word Composition:
- Der Kaffee: The German word for coffee, which entered German via Turkish and Italian from Arabic.
- Die Maschine: The German word for machine, derived from French/Latin ('machina').
Trivia: The first electric drip coffee maker as we know it today (the Wigomat) was invented in Germany in 1954.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Kaffeemaschine?
The noun 'Kaffeemaschine' is feminine. Therefore, the correct article is always die Kaffeemaschine. It is composed of 'Kaffee' (coffee) and the feminine base noun 'Maschine' (machine).