die  Kreide

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈkʁaɪ̯də/

✍️ What exactly does "Kreide" mean?

Die Kreide mainly refers to two things:

• Writing/Drawing Chalk: A typically white or colored stick made of gypsum or calcium sulfate, used for writing or drawing on blackboards or rough surfaces (e.g., pavements). This is called Schreibkreide or Malkreide.
• The Rock: A soft, white, porous sedimentary rock, mainly composed of calcite (calcium carbonate). It originated from the remains of marine organisms (coccolithophores). The chalk cliffs (Kreidefelsen) on the German island of Rügen are famous examples.

Both meanings use the article die.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "die Kreide" in Detail

The noun Kreide is feminine. Therefore, the article is always die.

Declension (Singular):

Plural: The plural die Kreiden is rarely used. Usually, one speaks of "Stücken Kreide" (pieces of chalk) or "Kreidestiften" (chalk sticks) when referring to multiple items. Geologically, Kreiden can refer to different types or deposits of chalk.

Example Sentences:

1. Der Lehrer schreibt mit der Kreide an die Tafel. (The teacher writes on the blackboard with the chalk.)
2. Die Kinder malen mit bunter Kreide auf dem Gehweg. (The children draw with colored chalk on the pavement.)
3. Die Steilküste besteht aus weißer Kreide. (The cliff consists of white chalk.)
4. Gibst du mir bitte die Kreide? (Could you please give me the chalk?)

💡 How to use "Kreide"?

Kreide is used in various contexts:

• School & Teaching: Usually refers to writing chalk for the blackboard. ("Der Schwamm wischt die Kreide weg." - The sponge wipes away the chalk.)
• Art & Play: Colored chalk for drawing on paper, cardboard, or pavements. ("Straßenmalkunst mit Kreide." - Street art with chalk.)
• Geology & Nature: Referring to the rock or the geological period (Kreidezeit - Cretaceous period). ("Die Kreidefelsen von Dover sind berühmt." - The White Cliffs of Dover are famous.)
• Crafts & Industry: Tailor's chalk (Schneiderkreide) for marking fabric; marking chalk (Signierkreide) in industry.

Common Idioms:

• etwas mit Kreide anschreiben/anstreichen: to make a note of something, often debts (literally 'to write sth. with chalk').
• Kreide gefressen haben: to pretend to be harmless or friendly while having bad intentions (from the fairy tale "The Wolf and the Seven Young Goats").

Confusion is unlikely as the context usually makes the meaning clear.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Kreide"

For the article: Think of die Tafel (the blackboard) or die Hand (the hand) that writes with the chalk. Both are feminine.

For the meaning: Krei-de sounds a bit like "cry-out" or "write". And what did people write with on blackboards? Chalk!

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Related Terms:

• Kreidefelsen: Chalk cliffs.
• Kreidezeit: Cretaceous period.
• Schneiderkreide: Tailor's chalk.
• kreidig / kreidebleich: Chalky / chalky pale (to be very pale in the face).

😂 A little joke

Fragt der Lehrer: "Wer kann mir fünf Tiere nennen, die in Afrika leben?"
Meldet sich Fritzchen: "Zwei Löwen und drei Elefanten!"
Lehrer: "Sehr gut! Aber woher weißt du das so genau?"
Fritzchen: "Das stand doch gerade mit Kreide an der Tafel!"

Translation:
The teacher asks: "Who can name five animals that live in Africa?"
Little Fritz raises his hand: "Two lions and three elephants!"
Teacher: "Very good! But how do you know that so precisely?"
Fritzchen: "It was just written on the blackboard with chalk!"

📜 Poem about Chalk

Weiße Kreide, zart und fein,
schreibt auf Tafeln groß und klein.
Staubt in Wolken, leicht und licht,
malt ein Bild, erzählt Geschicht'.
Von Felsenküsten, alt und breit,
bis zur bunten Kinderzeit.

Translation:
White chalk, delicate and fine,
writes on blackboards, large and small design.
Dusts in clouds, light and bright,
paints a picture, tells history's light.
From cliff coasts, old and wide,
to colorful childhood time.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin weiß oder auch bunt,
mache Tafeln oder Straßen kund.
Ich staube leicht, wenn man mich nutzt,
und werde kleiner, wenn man putzt.

Was bin ich? ... Die Kreide

Translation:
I am white or also colorful,
I make blackboards or streets known.
I dust easily when used,
and get smaller when cleaned.

What am I?
... Chalk (die Kreide)

✨ Other Interesting Facts

• Etymology: The word Kreide comes from the Latin word 'creta', which probably originally meant 'sifted earth' and referred to the island of Crete, where the rock was found.
• Chemical Composition: Chalk rock consists almost exclusively of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). Blackboard chalk today is often made of gypsum (calcium sulfate, CaSO₄) to reduce dust.
• Kreidezeit (Cretaceous Period): An important period in Earth's history (approx. 145 to 66 million years ago), named after the characteristic chalk deposits formed during this time. The end of the Cretaceous period marks the extinction of the dinosaurs.