die
Kollekte
⛪ What exactly is a Kollekte?
Die Kollekte (feminine noun, plural: die Kollekten) primarily refers to the collection of monetary donations during a church service (Gottesdienst) or similar religious or charitable event. The collected money is usually intended for church purposes, charitable projects, or supporting those in need.
It is a regular part of many Christian liturgies. The term derives from the Latin word collecta (collection).
⚠️ Rarely, the term might be used more generally for any collection, but the religious context is predominant.
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 of 'die Kollekte' in Detail
The noun "Kollekte" is feminine. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Kollekte |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Kollekte |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Kollekte |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Kollekte |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Kollekten |
| Genitive | der | Kollekten |
| Dative | den | Kollekten |
| Accusative | die | Kollekten |
Example Sentences
- Die Kollekte am Sonntag war für die Renovierung der Orgel bestimmt.
(The collection on Sunday was designated for the organ renovation.) - Während des Liedes wird die Kollekte eingesammelt.
(During the hymn, the collection is taken.) - Wir danken herzlich für Ihre Spende zur heutigen Kollekte.
(We sincerely thank you for your donation to today's collection.) - Die Ergebnisse der verschiedenen Kollekten werden im Gemeindebrief veröffentlicht.
(The results of the various collections are published in the parish newsletter.)
🗣️ How to Use "die Kollekte"?
The term die Kollekte is used almost exclusively in a religious, particularly Christian, context.
- Typical Situations: During the church service (Gottesdienst) (often after the sermon or during the closing hymn), at special church events (e.g., baptisms, weddings, funerals with a call for donations), or during special fundraising campaigns by churches or church-related aid organizations.
- Who Collects? Often church elders (Kirchenälteste), deacons (Diakone), or designated members of the congregation (Gemeindemitglieder) who walk through the pews with a collection bag (Klingelbeutel), a small basket (Körbchen), or a plate (Schale).
- Distinction: While "Spende" is a general term for donation, "Kollekte" specifically refers to the collection within the framework of a ceremony or church service. "Opfer" or "Opfergabe" (offering) can be used synonymously but often carries a stronger theological connotation.
💡 Mnemonics for Kollekte
Remembering the Article: Think of other feminine German words related to giving or gathering, like "die Spende" (the donation) or "die Gabe" (the gift). The ending -e is a frequent indicator for feminine nouns in German, just like in "die Kollekte".
Remembering the Meaning: The English word "collect" sounds very similar to Kollekte and has the same core meaning of gathering or collecting, in this case, money for the church or charity.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms
- Sammlung: (Collection) A general term for gathering things or money.
- Spende(nsammlung): (Donation [collection]) Refers to voluntary gifts, often for charitable purposes. Kollekte is a specific type of Spende(nsammlung).
- Opfer/Opfergabe: (Offering) A religiously connotated term for a gift to God or the community, often used synonymously with Kollekte.
- Gottesdienstopfer: (Church service offering) Very specific to the collection during a service.
- Klingelbeutel: (Collection bag, literally 'jingling bag') Often refers to the container used for collection, but sometimes used metonymically for the Kollekte itself.
Antonyms
Direct antonyms are difficult. In a broader sense, these might fit:
- Auszahlung/Ausgabe: (Payout/Expenditure) The opposite of collecting money.
- Almosenempfang: (Receiving alms) Receiving gifts (from the recipient's perspective).
Potentially Confusing Words
- Kollektiv: (Collective) Refers to a group of people, not the collection itself.
- Inkasso: (Debt collection) Refers to collecting owed money, not voluntary donations.
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Pfarrer den Küster: "Sagen Sie mal, warum haben Sie denn heute einen Helm auf, während Sie die Kollekte einsammeln?"
Antwortet der Küster: "Vorsichtsmaßnahme, Herr Pfarrer. Letzten Sonntag hat mich beim Klingelbeutel-Rumgehen fast der Geiz erschlagen!"
Translation:
The pastor asks the sexton: "Tell me, why are you wearing a helmet today while collecting the offering?"
The sexton replies: "It's a precaution, Pastor. Last Sunday, while passing around the collection bag, I was almost struck dead by stinginess!" (A play on words, as 'erschlagen' means 'to strike dead', and 'Geiz' is 'stinginess' or 'avarice').
📜 Poem about the Kollekte
Der Beutel leis' durch Reihen geht,
Ein jeder gibt, so gut's ihm steht.
Die Münze klingt, der Schein raschelt sacht,
Zur Ehr' des Herrn, bei Tag und Nacht.
Die Kollekte, klein und doch so groß,
Hilft dort, wo Not, gibt Trost als Los.
Translation:
The bag quietly moves through rows,
Each gives as best they know.
The coin clinks, the bill rustles soft,
To honor the Lord, day and 'loft (idiomatically: day and night).
The collection, small and yet so grand,
Helps where there's need, gives solace as planned (fate/lot).
❓ A Little Riddle
Ich werde meist am Sonntag voll,
obwohl ich selber nichts kaufen soll.
Mit mir teilt man gern, was man hat,
oft in der Kirche, in der Stadt.
Was bin ich?
Translation:
I usually get full on Sunday,
although I'm not supposed to buy anything myself.
People gladly share what they have through me,
often in the church, in the city.
What am I?
(Solution: die Kollekte)
🌐 Other Information
Word Origin: The word "Kollekte" comes from the Latin noun collecta, meaning "collection" or "that which has been gathered". It is the substantivized form of the perfect passive participle of colligere ("to collect", "to gather together").
Cultural Significance: In many cultures, the Kollekte is an expression of solidarity (Solidarität), sharing (Teilen), and support (Unterstützung) for common causes, particularly within a religious framework.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Kollekte?
The German word "Kollekte" (collection of donations in a church service) is always feminine. The correct article is die Kollekte.