die
Landkarte
🗺️ What exactly is a Landkarte?
A Landkarte is a German word for a map. It's a graphical representation of a geographical area, such as a country, region, or the entire world. It shows, in a simplified form, the spatial arrangement of landscapes, places, bodies of water, borders, and other geographical features. Landkarten (plural) are used for orientation, planning, and information.
The word always uses the feminine article die: die Landkarte.
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 Landkarte" in Detail
The noun „Landkarte“ is feminine. The article is „die“.
Singular Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Landkarte |
| Genitive | der | Landkarte |
| Dative | der | Landkarte |
| Accusative | die | Landkarte |
Plural Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Landkarten |
| Genitive | der | Landkarten |
| Dative | den | Landkarten |
| Accusative | die | Landkarten |
Example Sentences
- Für unsere Wanderung brauchen wir eine detaillierte Landkarte.
(For our hike, we need a detailed map.) - Auf der Landkarte sind alle wichtigen Straßen eingezeichnet.
(All important roads are marked on the map.) - Er faltete die Landkarte sorgfältig zusammen.
(He carefully folded the map.) - Die Ausstellung zeigte historische Landkarten aus verschiedenen Jahrhunderten.
(The exhibition showed historical maps from different centuries.)
🧭 How to Use "Landkarte"?
The term Landkarte is used to describe a physical or digital representation of a geographical area. Typical contexts include:
- Travel planning: Finding routes, estimating distances.
- Geography lessons: Learning about countries, cities, rivers, and mountains.
- Hiking and outdoor activities: Orienting oneself in the terrain.
- Historical research: Studying old territorial boundaries or settlements.
A distinction is often made between:
- Physische Landkarten: Printed on paper (paper maps).
- Digitale Landkarten: On computers, smartphones, or navigation devices (e.g., Google Maps, OpenStreetMap).
In general conversation, Germans might also just say „Karte“ if the context is clear (e.g., „Hast du die Karte dabei?“ - Do you have the map with you?).
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Landkarte"
For the article „die“: Think that a map often provides guidance, which can be seen as a feminine role (like a guide leading the way). Many German nouns ending in '-e' are feminine, including 'die Karte' and therefore 'die Landkarte'.
For the meaning: Imagine spreading a map out on the 'Land' (land/country) to find your way. It's a Land-Karte (land-map)!
🔄 Synonyms and Related Terms
Synonyms
- Karte: Shorter, general term for map.
- Plan: Often used for smaller areas or specific purposes (Stadtplan - city map, Bauplan - blueprint).
- Stadtplan: A map specifically for a city.
- Straßenkarte: Focuses on roads and routes (road map).
- Wanderkarte: Specifically for hiking trails and terrain information (hiking map).
- Weltkarte: Shows the entire Earth (world map).
Related Terms (not direct antonyms)
- Atlas: A collection of maps in book form.
- Globus: A spherical representation of the Earth (globe).
- Gelände/Realität: The actual terrain/reality that the map represents (could be seen as the opposite of the map's abstraction).
- GPS/Navigationssystem: Modern digital tools for orientation, often using maps.
😂 A Little Map Joke
Fragt der Lehrer: „Fritzchen, wo liegt Amerika?“
Fritzchen geht zur Landkarte und zeigt darauf.
Lehrer: „Richtig! Und wer hat Amerika entdeckt?“
Die Klasse ruft im Chor: „Fritzchen!“
Translation:
Teacher asks: "Fritzchen, where is America?"
Fritzchen goes to the map and points to it.
Teacher: "Correct! And who discovered America?"
The class shouts in unison: "Fritzchen!"
📜 Poem about a Map
Auf Papier, so bunt und alt,
zeigt die Welt, mal warm, mal kalt.
Die Landkarte, ein stiller Schrei,
nach Ferne, Abenteuer, sei dabei!
Flüsse schlängeln, Berge ragen,
Städte punkten, Grenzen fragen.
Ein Blick genügt, die Reise spinnt,
wo der nächste Weg beginnt.
Translation:
On paper, so colorful and old,
shows the world, sometimes warm, sometimes cold.
The map, a silent cry,
for distance, adventure, be nearby!
Rivers meander, mountains rise,
Cities dot, borders ask wise.
One look suffices, the journey weaves,
where the next path begins and leaves.
🤔 Little Riddle
Ich zeige dir die ganze Welt,
bin aber nur aus Papier bestellt.
Ich habe Städte, Flüsse, Seen,
doch selbst kann ich nicht gehen.
Was bin ich?
Lösung: die Landkarte
Translation:
I show you the whole world,
but am only made of paper.
I have cities, rivers, lakes,
but I cannot walk myself.
What am I?
Answer: die Landkarte (the map)
✨ More about the Landkarte
Word Composition
The word „Landkarte“ is a compound noun, composed of:
- das Land: Refers to a geographical area, region, or country (land).
- die Karte: A graphical representation (card or map).
Together, it means a „Karte des Landes“ (map of the land/country) or a „Karte, die Land zeigt“ (map that shows land).
Trivia
The oldest known maps originate from Babylonia and are over 2500 years old. Cartography has evolved over centuries, from simple sketches to today's high-precision digital representations.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Landkarte?
The German word "Landkarte" is feminine. The correct article is always die: die Landkarte (Nominative singular), der Landkarte (Genitive/Dative singular), die Landkarten (Nominative/Accusative plural).