die
Laterne
💡 What exactly is a Laterne?
Die Laterne (feminine noun) refers to a portable or fixed light fixture that encloses a light source (e.g., a candle, oil lamp, or light bulb) and protects it from wind and weather while emitting light outwards. The main types are:
- Tragbare Laternen (Portable lanterns): Often equipped with a handle, e.g., for lantern processions (Martinslaterne).
- Straßenlaternen (Street lanterns/lamps): Permanently installed lights for illuminating streets and squares.
- Gartenlaternen (Garden lanterns): Decorative or functional lights for outdoor areas.
🚨 Attention: Don't confuse it with Lampe. A Lampe is often just the light bulb itself or an indoor lamp, whereas a Laterne typically has a protective casing and is often used outdoors.
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: Die Laterne in detail
The word "Laterne" is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always die.
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Laterne | eine Laterne |
| Genitive | der Laterne | einer Laterne |
| Dative | der Laterne | einer Laterne |
| Accusative | die Laterne | eine Laterne |
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Laternen | Laternen |
| Genitive | der Laternen | Laternen |
| Dative | den Laternen | Laternen |
| Accusative | die Laternen | Laternen |
Example Sentences
- Die Kinder basteln Laternen für den Martinsumzug.
(The children are making lanterns for the St. Martin's procession.) - Unter der Laterne wartete er auf sie.
(He waited for her under the lantern/street lamp.) - Eine Laterne spendete spärliches Licht in der dunklen Gasse.
(A lantern provided sparse light in the dark alley.) - Die Stadt erneuert alle alten Straßenlaternen.
(The city is replacing all the old street lanterns/lamps.)
🚶♀️ When to use "Laterne"?
The term die Laterne is used in various contexts:
- St. Martin / Laternenumzüge (St. Martin's Day / Lantern Processions): Especially known are the colorful, often homemade lanterns carried by children on St. Martin's Day (November 11th) or other festivals of light. ("Ich geh mit meiner Laterne..." - "I'm walking with my lantern...")
- Straßenbeleuchtung (Street Lighting): As a synonym for Straßenlampe (street lamp). ("Die Laterne vor unserem Haus ist kaputt." - "The street lamp in front of our house is broken.")
- Dekoration & Garten (Decoration & Garden): As a light source in the garden, on the terrace, or as a decorative object. ("Eine alte Öllaterne stand auf dem Tisch." - "An old oil lantern stood on the table.")
- Historisch/Figurativ (Historical/Figurative): In older texts or as a symbol for light, enlightenment, or orientation.
Compared to Lampe, Laterne often emphasizes the protective container around the light source and its use outdoors or as a portable light.
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Laterne"
Article Mnemonic: Imagine an elegant lady (feminine like 'die') carrying a lantern ending in 'e'. Many feminine nouns in German end in 'e', like die Laterne.
Meaning Mnemonic: A Laterne helps you see things later at night. It 'lends' light (sounds like La-terne) to the darkness.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Leuchte: General term for an object that produces light.
- Lampe: Often used synonymously, but technically sometimes just the bulb or an indoor lamp. Straßenlaterne = Straßenlampe.
- Windlicht: A small lantern, often with a candle, usually decorative.
- Positionslicht (Position Light on ships/aircraft): Specific lanterns for navigation.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Dunkelheit: Darkness, the absence of light.
- Finsternis: Gloom, deep darkness.
- Schatten: Shadow, an area shielded from light.
Potential for Confusion:
Although similar, Lampe and Leuchte don't always mean exactly the same as Laterne. A light bulb is a Lampe, but not a Laterne.
😄 A Little Lantern Joke
Warum nehmen Glühwürmchen keine Laternen mit?
Weil sie schon ihr eigenes Schlusslicht dabeihaben! 😉
(Why don't fireflies take lanterns with them?
Because they already have their own taillight!)
📜 Lantern Poem
Die Laterne hell und klar,
Leuchtet wunderbar.
Durch die dunkle Gasse geht,
Wer ihren Schein versteht.
Ob am Mast, ob in der Hand,
Ist sie im ganzen Land bekannt.
Spendet Hoffnung, Licht und Mut,
Die Laterne, sie tut gut.
---
The Lantern bright and clear,
Shines wonderfully near.
Through the dark alley it goes,
He who understands its glows.
Whether on a pole, or held by hand,
It's known throughout the land.
Giving hope, light, and might,
The Lantern, it does good and right.
❓ Lantern Riddle
Ich habe ein Haus aus Glas oder Papier,
Trage ein Licht in mir.
Bei Wind und Regen schütz' ich die Flamme fein,
Am Martinstag lauf ich voran im Schein.
Was bin ich?
(I have a house of glass or paper,
I carry a light within me.
In wind and rain, I protect the flame so fine,
On St. Martin's Day, I walk ahead in the shine.
What am I?)
Solution: Die Laterne (The Lantern)
✨ Interesting Facts about die Laterne
- Wortherkunft (Etymology): The word "Laterne" comes from the Latin lanterna, which in turn derives from the Greek lamptēr (luminary, torch).
- St. Martin: The tradition of lantern processions on St. Martin's Day commemorates Saint Martin of Tours and symbolizes the light he brought into the darkness.
- Redewendung (Idiom): "Jemandem die Laterne halten" (literally "to hold the lantern for someone") used to mean assisting someone in a shady activity or looking on. Rarely used today.
- Magische Laterne (Laterna Magica): A 17th-century precursor to the slide projector and cinematograph (magic lantern).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Laterne?
The word "Laterne" is always feminine. The correct article is die Laterne.