die  Karte

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈkaʁtə/

🗺️ What does "die Karte" mean?

The word die Karte is a versatile German noun with several meanings. It is always feminine.

• Map/City map: A geographical representation of an area. Example: Wir brauchen eine Karte, um den Weg zu finden. (We need a map to find the way.)
• Playing card: A card from a deck of cards. Example: Er zog eine Herzdame aus dem Stapel. (He drew a queen of hearts from the deck.)
• Ticket/Fare card/Admission ticket: A document authorizing entry or use. Example: Hast du die Karten für das Konzert? (Do you have the tickets for the concert?)
• Menu: A list of dishes and drinks available in a restaurant. Example: Kellner, bringen Sie uns bitte die Karte! (Waiter, please bring us the menu!)
• Postcard/Greeting card: A card for sending greetings. Example: Ich habe dir eine Karte aus dem Urlaub geschickt. (I sent you a card from vacation.)
• Business card: A small card with contact details. Example: Er gab mir seine Karte. (He gave me his card.)
• ID card/Identification card: e.g., bank card, membership card. Example: Zeigen Sie bitte Ihre Karte am Eingang. (Please show your card at the entrance.)
• Data card: e.g., memory card, SIM card. Example: Die SIM-Karte muss ins Handy eingelegt werden. (The SIM card must be inserted into the phone.)

⚠️ Pay attention to the context to understand the correct meaning!

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "die Karte" in Detail

The noun Karte is always feminine, so the article is die.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

💡 Example Sentences

1. Nominative: Die Karte liegt auf dem Tisch. (The map is lying on the table.)
2. Genitive: Die Qualität der Karte ist hervorragend. (The quality of the card [playing card] is excellent.)
3. Dative: Ich folge der Karte. (I am following the map.)
4. Accusative: Bitte zeigen Sie die Karte. (Please show the ticket.)
5. Plural: Wir haben nicht genug Karten für alle Spieler. (We don't have enough cards for all players.)
6. Plural: Die Kellnerin sammelte die Speisekarten ein. (The waitress collected the menus.)

✅ When to use "die Karte"?

Die Karte is used in many everyday situations:

• Travel & Orientation: When talking about maps, city plans, or tickets. (e.g., "Ich brauche eine Karte von Berlin." - I need a map of Berlin., "Wo kann ich eine Karte kaufen?" - Where can I buy a ticket?)
• Games: When playing cards. (e.g., "Karten spielen" - to play cards, "eine Karte ziehen" - to draw a card, "gute Karten haben" - to have good cards [also metaphorically])
• Gastronomy: In a restaurant, "die Karte" usually refers to the menu. (e.g., "Die Karte, bitte!" - The menu, please!, "Was steht auf der Karte?" - What's on the menu?)
• Communication: For postcards or greeting cards. (e.g., "eine Karte schreiben" - to write a card, "eine Karte bekommen" - to receive a card)
• Business & Identification: Business cards, bank cards, credit cards, membership cards. (e.g., "Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?" - Can I pay by card?, "Hier ist meine Karte." - Here is my [business] card.)
• Technology: SIM cards, memory cards. (e.g., "Die Speicherkarte ist voll." - The memory card is full.)

Important Idioms:

• jemandem in die Karten schauen: (lit. to look into someone's cards) to find out someone's plans
• alles auf eine Karte setzen: (lit. to put everything on one card) to risk everything
• schlechte Karten haben: (lit. to have bad cards) to have poor prospects of success
• offen/mit offenen Karten spielen: (lit. to play openly/with open cards) to be honest and transparent

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Karte"

Tip for the Article (die):

Think of typically feminine associations (just as a memory aid!): She (`die`) uses the map (`die Karte`), she reads the menu (`die Karte`), she sends the postcard (`die Karte`). Many German nouns ending in '-e' are feminine, like `Karte`.

Tip for the Meanings:

Imagine a shopping cart (sounds like `Karte`) filled with flat things: a map, playing cards, tickets, a menu, postcards, bank cards... all these are types of `Karte`.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "Karte"

Synonyms (depending on meaning):

• Map/City map: der Plan (plan, map), der Atlas (atlas)
• Playing card: das Blatt (lit. leaf, used for playing card)
• Ticket/Fare card/Admission ticket: der Fahrschein (fare ticket), das Billett (ticket, old-fashioned/Swiss), die Eintrittskarte (admission ticket)
• Menu: die Menükarte (menu card), das Menü (menu)
• Postcard/Greeting card: die Ansichtskarte (picture postcard)
• ID card/Identification card: der Ausweis (ID card), die ID-Karte (ID card), die Chipkarte (chip card)

Antonyms (usually context-dependent):

• For map: die Realität (reality), das Gelände selbst (the terrain itself)
• For paper card (ticket, etc.): die digitale Version (digital version), die App (app), der QR-Code (QR code)
• For menu: mündliche Empfehlung (verbal recommendation)

⚠️ Similar, but different words:

• der Karton: cardboard, cardboard box (masculine!)
• die Akte: file, record (feminine, but different meaning)

😂 A Little Joke

Kellner zum Gast: "Möchten Sie die Karte?"
Gast: "Nein danke, ich spiele lieber Rommé!"

Translation:
Waiter to the guest: "Would you like the menu/card?" (Karte means both menu and playing card)
Guest: "No thanks, I'd rather play Rummy!"

📜 Poem about die Karte

Die Karte, bunt, auf Tisch und Hand,
Zeigt Wege uns durch Stadt und Land.
Als Joker dient sie oft im Spiel,
Bringt Grüße fern vom Urlaubsziel.
Im Restaurant zeigt sie das Essen,
Man sollt' sie nie daheim vergessen!
Ob Plastik, Papier, digital,
Die Karte nützt uns überall.

Translation:
The card, colorful, on table and hand,
Shows us ways through city and land.
As joker it often serves in the game,
Brings greetings far from vacation's aim.
In the restaurant, it shows the food,
One should never forget it at home for good!
Whether plastic, paper, digital,
The card is useful to us all.

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich zeige dir die Welt, ganz klein,
Lass dich im Spiel Gewinner sein.
Ich öffne Türen, Bus und Bahn,
Und sag dir, was du speisen kann.

Mal schick ich Grüße, mal dein Geld,
Bin flach und oft aus Pappe hergestellt.

Wer bin ich wohl, sag's geschwind?
(... Die Karte)

Translation:
I show you the world, very small,
Let you be a winner in the game for all.
I open doors, bus, and train,
And tell you what you can eat again.

Sometimes I send greetings, sometimes your cash,
Am flat and often made of cardboard in a flash.

Who am I, tell me fast?
(... The card/map/ticket/menu...)

✨ More about "die Karte"

Compound Words (Komposita):

"Karte" is part of many important German words:

• Landkarte (map)
• Stadtkarte (city map)
• Fahrkarte (ticket [for transport])
• Eintrittskarte (admission ticket)
• Speisekarte (menu)
• Getränkekarte (drinks menu)
• Postkarte (postcard)
• Grußkarte (greeting card)
• Visitenkarte (business card)
• Bankkarte (bank card)
• Kreditkarte (credit card)
• Kundenkarte (customer card)
• Mitgliedskarte (membership card)
• Spielkarte (playing card)
• SIM-Karte (SIM card)
• Speicherkarte (memory card)

The Verb "karten":

There is also the verb karten, which means to play cards. Example: Sie karten jeden Freitagabend. (They play cards every Friday evening.)