die  Kartei

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/kaʁˈtaɪ/

🗂️ What does 'die Kartei' mean?

'Die Kartei' refers to a systematic collection of information, traditionally on individual cards (Karteikarten), which are arranged in a box or container according to specific criteria. It serves for quickly retrieving data.

In a broader sense, the term is also used for electronic databases or file collections that perform a similar function. A Kartei is therefore used for organizing and managing information, whether it's addresses, patient data, library holdings, or other datasets.

Examples of Karteien:

• Adresskartei (address file)
• Patientenkartei (patient file)
• Kundenkartei (customer file)
• Bibliothekskartei (Zettelkatalog) (library card catalog)
• Digitale Kartei (digital file/database)

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Declining 'die Kartei'

'Kartei' is a feminine noun. The article is 'die'. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

1. Der Arzt sucht die Akte des Patienten in seiner Kartei.
   (The doctor looks for the patient's record in his file.)
2. Alle wichtigen Kontakte sind in der Kartei gespeichert.
   (All important contacts are stored in the file.)
3. Die Bibliothekarin legte eine neue Kartei für die Neuerwerbungen an.
   (The librarian created a new card index for the new acquisitions.)
4. Wir müssen die alten Karteien digitalisieren.
   (We need to digitize the old files/card indexes.)

💡 How to use 'die Kartei'?

The term 'die Kartei' is primarily used in the context of administration, organization, and data storage. It can refer to both physical collections of index cards and digital databases.

Typical verbs used with 'Kartei':

• eine Kartei anlegen (to create a file/index)
• eine Kartei führen (to maintain/keep a file)
• in einer Kartei nachschlagen/suchen (to look up/search in a file)
• jemanden/etwas in die Kartei aufnehmen (to add someone/something to the file)
• etwas aus der Kartei löschen/entfernen (to delete/remove something from the file)

Although digital databases are widespread today, the term 'Kartei' is still used to describe a structured collection of records, especially when dealing with people or objects (e.g., Kundenkartei - customer file, Mitgliederkartei - membership file). It conveys an image of organized information.

There is little risk of confusion as the word is quite specific. Similar concepts are 'Register' (register), 'Verzeichnis' (directory), or 'Datenbank' (database), which can be used synonymously depending on the context but may have slightly different connotations.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Kartei'

Article Mnemonic: Many German nouns ending in -ei are feminine (die Bäckerei - bakery, die Bücherei - library, die Polizei - police). Imagine a diligent female secretary (die Sekretärin) bringing order (die Ordnung) to die Kartei.

Meaning Mnemonic: A 'Kartei' consists of many individual 'Karte' (cards). Picture a large stack of cards that needs organizing – that's the Kartei.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms of Kartei

Related Terms:

• Die Karteikarte: (Index card) The individual card in a Kartei.
• Der Karteikasten: (Card index box) The container for storing index cards.
• Der Karteireiter: (Index tab) Marker for subdividing within the Kartei.

😄 A little Joke about the Kartei

DE: Warum hat der Computer Angst vor der alten Kartei?

Weil er gehört hat, dass sie noch "Bits" auf Papier hat!

EN: Why is the computer afraid of the old card index (Kartei)?

Because it heard it still has "bits" on paper! (Pun on 'bits' as in computer data and 'bisschen' meaning a little bit)

✍️ A Poem about Order

DE:
In Reih und Glied, ganz fein sortiert,
liegt Wissen auf Papier fixiert.
Von A bis Z, ein klar System,
die Daten findbar und bequem.
Ob Name, Nummer, Datum, Ort,
an alles denkt der kluge Hort.
So hilft sie stets, bei Tag und Nacht,
die wohlgefüllte Kartei-Pracht.

EN:
In rank and file, sorted so fine,
Knowledge fixed on paper's line.
From A to Z, a system clear,
Data findable and held so dear.
Be it name, number, date, or place,
The wise hoard thinks of every case.
Thus it always helps, by day and night,
The well-filled card file's splendid light.

❓ Riddle Time: What am I?

DE:
Ich habe viele Blätter, doch bin kein Baum.
Ich halte Wissen fest in kleinem Raum.
Man sucht in mir nach Namen oder Zahl,
digital oder ganz aus Papiertal.

Was bin ich?

EN:
I have many leaves, but I am not a tree.
I hold knowledge fast in a small space for thee.
People search me for a name or a number's call,
Digital or made from paper for one and all.

What am I?

Solution: die Kartei (the card index / file)

🧩 Trivia about die Kartei

Word Composition

The word 'Kartei' is composed of:

• Karte: (Card) Refers to the individual information carriers (the Karteikarten or index cards).
• Suffix -ei: This suffix often forms collective nouns or places of activity (compare Bäckerei - bakery, Bücherei - library). Here, it denotes the collection of cards.

Historical Significance

Before the digital revolution, card indexes (Karteien) were the backbone of many administrations, libraries, and businesses. They enabled the systematic recording and management of large amounts of data. The card catalog (Zettelkatalog) in libraries is a classic example of an extensive Kartei.