die
Lade
📖 What exactly is a Lade?
The word die Lade is a feminine noun in German and has several meanings, often depending on the context:
- Drawer: The most common meaning, especially in Southern Germany or as a short form of Schublade. A sliding compartment in a piece of furniture (e.g., chest of drawers, desk). Example: Ich suche meine Socken in der obersten Lade. (I'm looking for my socks in the top drawer.)
- Chest / Box: An (often older) term for a large box or chest for storage. Example: Die alte Lade auf dem Dachboden war voller Bücher. (The old chest in the attic was full of books.)
- Counter (shop): Sometimes used as a short form for Ladentheke, the counter in a shop. Example: Der Verkäufer legte die Ware auf die Lade. (The shop assistant placed the goods on the counter.)
- Ark: In religious or historical contexts, like the Bundeslade (Ark of the Covenant). However, this meaning is very specific.
⚠️ Attention: "Lade" can also be the 1st person singular present tense or the singular imperative form of the verb laden (to load/invite) (e.g., Ich lade die Datei herunter. - I download the file. Lade das Gepäck ins Auto! - Load the luggage into the car!). However, this entry focuses exclusively on the noun die Lade.
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 Lade: Declension in Detail
Die Lade is a feminine noun. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Lade |
| Genitive | der | Lade |
| Dative | der | Lade |
| Accusative | die | Lade |
📝 Application Examples
- Die unterste Lade klemmt ein wenig.
(The bottom drawer jams a little.) - Der Griff der Lade ist abgebrochen.
(The handle of the drawer is broken.) - Ich habe den Schlüssel in der Lade gelassen.
(I left the key in the drawer.) - Bitte öffne die Lade vorsichtig.
(Please open the drawer carefully.) - Alle Laden der Kommode sind voll.
(All drawers of the chest are full.) - Der Inhalt der Laden ist wertvoll.
(The content of the drawers is valuable.) - Wir haben in allen Laden nachgesehen.
(We looked in all the drawers.) - Schließe bitte alle Laden.
(Please close all the drawers.)
💬 How to Use "die Lade"?
The usage of die Lade heavily depends on the region and context:
- Drawer: In everyday life, especially in Southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, "Lade" is a common word for drawer. In the North, "Schublade" is preferred, but "Lade" is usually understood.
- Chest: This meaning is rather outdated or used for specific, often historical or rustic containers. Today, one would more likely say "Truhe" or "Kiste".
- Counter (shop): As a short form for "Ladentheke", it's colloquial and has become less common. "Theke" or "Tresen" are more usual.
- Ark (Bundeslade): This is a fixed term and is only used in this specific historical/religious context.
Comparison:
- Lade vs. Schublade: "Schublade" is more standard High German and more common in the North. "Lade" is more regional (South) or can refer to other types of containers as well.
- Lade vs. Truhe/Kiste: A "Truhe" (chest) is typically larger and often has a lid that opens upwards. A "Kiste" (box) is more general. "Lade" in this sense often implies something older or more solid.
- Lade vs. Theke/Tresen: "Theke" and "Tresen" are the modern standard terms for a shop counter.
💡 Mnemonics for "die Lade"
Article Mnemonic (die)
Imagine a ladie opening die Lade (the drawer). The word "ladie" sounds like Lade and reminds you it's feminine (die). 👑
Meaning Mnemonic (Drawer/Chest)
Think of "load": A Lade is where you "load" things into, or it's "laden" with things. You pull it out (Schublade - push-drawer) or open the chest-Lade.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
Antonyms (Opposites)
Direct antonyms are difficult. Conceptually, one might think:
- Opposite of "container": der Inhalt (the content)
- Opposite of "closed space": offen (open), leer (empty)
Similar but Different Words
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat die Kommode schlechte Laune?
Weil sie so viele Probleme in ihren Laden hat! 😄
(Why is the chest of drawers in a bad mood? Because it has so many problems in its drawers! - This is a pun, as "Laden" means both "drawers" (plural of Lade) and can metaphorically mean "affairs" or "business", while "der Laden" also means "shop".)
✍️ Poem about a Lade
In Omas Haus, ganz alt und schwer,
steht eine Kommode, schon lang nicht mehr leer.
Mit mancher Lade, tief und breit,
verwahrt sie Schätze aus vergang'ner Zeit.
Mal klemmt sie hier, mal quietscht sie dort,
ein geheimnisvoller, stiller Ort.
(In Grandma's house, so old and grand,
A dresser stands, long filled by hand.
With many a drawer, deep and wide,
It keeps old treasures safe inside.
Sometimes it sticks, sometimes it squeaks,
A secret, silent place that speaks.)
❓ Little Riddle
Ich habe keinen Mund, doch kann viel schlucken.
Man zieht mich auf, muss manchmal rucken.
In Tisch und Schrank bin ich zu Haus,
was suchst du drin? Hol's schnell heraus!
Was bin ich?
(I have no mouth, but I can swallow much.
You pull me open, sometimes with a touch.
In tables, desks, I make my home,
What do you seek? Don't let it roam!
What am I?
Solution: die Lade / Schublade (the drawer))
🧩 Other Information about die Lade
Word Composition & Origin
The word Lade is etymologically related to the verb laden (to load, to lade). Originally, it likely referred generally to something onto or into which one could place or "load" things. The various meanings developed from this.
Common Compounds
- Schublade: Drawer (lit. push-Lade). The most common form today.
- Bundeslade: The biblical Ark of the Covenant.
- Windlade: Wind chest (part of an organ).
- Schatzlade: Treasure chest (rather literary).
- Bettlade: Bedstead (frame of a bed, outdated).
- Ladentisch/Ladentheke: Shop counter (from der Laden = shop + Tisch/Theke, not directly from die Lade).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Lade?
The German word Lade is a feminine noun, so the correct article is always die Lade. It most commonly means drawer, but can also mean chest or counter. The plural form is die Laden.