die  Kohle

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈkoːlə/

⚫ What does "die Kohle" mean?

The German word die Kohle has two primary meanings:

1. 🔥 Fuel (Coal): The original meaning refers to the black or brownish fossil fuel, primarily composed of carbon, used for energy production (Heizen - heating, Stromerzeugung - electricity generation) or in industry.

   Example: Im Winter heizen wir mit Kohle. (In winter, we heat with coal.)

2. 💰 Money (Colloquial/Slang): Very commonly, Kohle is used colloquially as a synonym for Geld (money). This meaning is widespread and used in informal contexts.

   Example: Hast du genug Kohle dabei, um die Tickets zu kaufen? (Do you have enough cash/money with you to buy the tickets?)

🚨 It's important to consider the context to understand which meaning is intended. The feminine form (die Kohle) applies to both meanings.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📝 Grammar of "die Kohle"

"Kohle" is a feminine noun. The article is always die.

💡 Example Sentences

• Fuel: Die Kohle glühte im Ofen. (The coal glowed in the stove.)
• Money: Für das neue Auto braucht er viel Kohle. (He needs a lot of money/cash for the new car.)
• Plural (Fuel): Der Keller war voller Säcke mit Kohlen. (The cellar was full of sacks of coal.)
• Money (no typical plural): Ich habe meine ganze Kohle für den Urlaub ausgegeben. (I spent all my money/cash on the vacation.)

🗣️ How to Use "die Kohle"?

The use of die Kohle strongly depends on the context:

• As fuel (Coal): Often used in connection with Heizen (heating), Grillen (barbecuing), industry (e.g., Stahlproduktion - steel production), Bergbau (mining), or energy policy. Example: Der Ausstieg aus der Kohle ist ein politisches Thema. (The phase-out of coal is a political topic.)
• As money (Colloquial/Slang): Used in informal conversations among friends, family, or in casual contexts (Umgangssprache). It often sounds more direct or less formal than Geld. Examples: "Ohne Kohle läuft nichts." ("Nothing works without cash/money."), "Er macht richtig Kohle mit seinem neuen Job." ("He's making real money/dough with his new job.")

Comparison with "Geld":

• Geld is the neutral, formal, and general term.
• Kohle is colloquial, often a bit slangy, or emphasizes the material aspect. It's not suitable for formal writing or very polite conversation.

⚠️ Be careful: You wouldn't write in a formal business letter: "Bitte überweisen Sie die Kohle." (Please transfer the money/cash.)

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Kohle"

For the article die: Think of the feminine association: Die Energie (energy - feminine) comes from coal. Or imagine a queen (feminine) needing die Kohle (money) for her crown. Both the fuel and the cash use die.

For the meanings (Coal & Money): Think of coal as "black gold". Mining Kohle (coal) historically brought wealth, meaning it brought Kohle (money). The black fuel turned into cash. ⚫➡️💰

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar, but Different Words

• kohlrabenschwarz: An adjective meaning 'jet-black' (like a raven's feathers or coal).
• verkohlen: A verb meaning 'to char' or 'to turn into coal', but also colloquially 'to kid' or 'to pull someone's leg'.
• Kohl: The vegetable 'cabbage' (masculine: der Kohl).

😄 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Woher hatten Sie die ganze Kohle?" Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Aus dem Keller, Herr Richter! Da lagern wir immer unsere Heizkohle."

English Translation: The judge asks the defendant: "Where did you get all the cash (Kohle)?" The defendant replies: "From the cellar, Your Honor! That's where we always store our heating coal (Kohle)."

📜 Poem about Kohle

German:
Die Kohle, schwarz und alt,
Im Ofen gibt sie warmen Halt.
Doch fragt man auf der Straß' geschwind,
Ist's oft das Geld, das man meint, mein Kind.
Mit Kohle kauft man dies und das,
Ob Brennstoff oder nur zum Spaß –
Zwei Seiten hat das Wort im Land,
Mal schwarz im Keller, mal in der Hand.

English Translation:
The coal, so black and old,
In the stove, it keeps out the cold.
But ask quickly on the street,
It's often money they mean, my sweet.
With Kohle, you buy this and that,
Whether fuel or just for chat –
Two sides the word has in the land,
Sometimes black cellar, sometimes in hand.

❓ Riddle

German:
Ich bin schwarz und komm' aus tiefem Schacht,
hab' manchen Ofen heiß gemacht.
Doch rufst du meinen Namen laut,
wird oft nur Bares angeschaut.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I am black and come from a deep shaft,
I've made many a stove hot fast.
But if you call my name aloud,
Often just cash is viewed by the crowd.

What am I? (Answer: Die Kohle)

🤓 Additional Knowledge

• Etymology (Money): The colloquial meaning of "Kohle" for money likely originated in the 19th century in Rotwelsch (cant, thieves' jargon). The exact origin isn't entirely clear, but one theory suggests a connection to the value of coal as an energy source and thus a basis for economic success ("black gold"). Another theory links it to the Yiddish word "kole" (voice, rumour), perhaps referring to the sound of coins.
• Idiom: "Kohle machen" is a colloquial phrase meaning "to make money".
• Mining: Germany, especially the Ruhr area (Ruhrgebiet) and Lusatia (Lausitz), was heavily shaped by coal mining for a long time. The structural shift away from coal (Strukturwandel) is an important societal topic.