die
Lederjacke
🧥 What exactly is a Lederjacke?
A Lederjacke is an item of clothing, specifically a jacket (Jacke) made from leather (Leder). Leder is the tanned skin of animals, usually cattle, sheep, goats, or pigs.
The word Lederjacke is a compound noun formed from Leder (leather) and Jacke (jacket). Since the base word Jacke is feminine (die Jacke), Lederjacke is also feminine.
There is only one article for this word: die Lederjacke. There are no other meanings associated with different articles.
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 in Detail: Die Lederjacke
The noun Lederjacke is feminine. Here are the declension tables for singular and plural:
Singular
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die Lederjacke | eine Lederjacke (a leather jacket) |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der Lederjacke | einer Lederjacke (of a leather jacket) |
| Dative (To whom/What?) | der Lederjacke | einer Lederjacke (to/for a leather jacket) |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die Lederjacke | eine Lederjacke (a leather jacket) |
Plural
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Lederjacken | Lederjacken / keine Lederjacken (leather jackets / no leather jackets) |
| Genitive | der Lederjacken | Lederjacken / keiner Lederjacken (of leather jackets / of no leather jackets) |
| Dative | den Lederjacken | Lederjacken / keinen Lederjacken (to/for leather jackets / to/for no leather jackets) |
| Accusative | die Lederjacken | Lederjacken / keine Lederjacken (leather jackets / no leather jackets) |
💡 Example Sentences
- Nominativ: Die Lederjacke hängt im Schrank.
(The leather jacket is hanging in the closet.) - Genitiv: Der Reißverschluss der Lederjacke ist kaputt.
(The zipper of the leather jacket is broken.) - Dativ: Ich gebe der Lederjacke eine neue Imprägnierung.
(I give the leather jacket a new waterproofing treatment.) - Akkusativ: Er trägt heute seine neue Lederjacke.
(He is wearing his new leather jacket today.) - Plural: Im Geschäft gibt es viele verschiedene Lederjacken zu kaufen.
(There are many different leather jackets to buy in the store.)
✨ Everyday Use
The Lederjacke is a versatile piece of clothing worn in various contexts:
- Fashion: It's often considered a fashion statement, radiating coolness and a touch of rebellion. It can be worn casually with jeans or dressed up.
- Subcultures: The leather jacket is an iconic garment, especially in biker, rock, and punk scenes.
- Practical Use: Leather jackets are durable, wind-resistant, and offer some protection. They are well-suited for transitional seasons like spring and autumn.
- Symbolism: Sometimes it symbolizes freedom, independence, or a particular lifestyle.
Compared to a Stoffjacke (fabric jacket) or Daunenjacke (down jacket), the Lederjacke is often more expensive but also more durable and has a more distinct look.
🧠 Mnemonics for Lederjacke
Remembering the Article
Think of the base word: It's die Jacke (the jacket). Therefore, it's also die Lederjacke. Just remember that 'Jacke' itself is feminine in German. Imagine a very chic, feminine jacket that happens to be made of leather. It's die one!
Remembering the Meaning
The word is transparent: Leder (leather) + Jacke (jacket) = a jacket made of leather. Imagine feeling the cool, smooth Leder and then putting on the Jacke. The sensation helps you remember 'Lederjacke'.
↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Lederblouson: Often cut shorter, similar to a bomber jacket but made of leather.
- Bikerjacke: A specific style of leather jacket, often featuring an asymmetrical zipper and studs.
- (Colloquial/Regional) Lederjoppe: Regional or dated term.
Antonyms (Opposite in Material/Type)
- Stoffjacke: Jacket made of textile fabric.
- Jeansjacke: Jacket made of denim.
- Daunenjacke: Warm jacket filled with down feathers.
- Regenjacke: Water-repellent jacket.
- Kunstlederjacke: Jacket made of faux leather/pleather (important: not the same as Lederjacke!).
🚨 Caution: A Kunstlederjacke is not a Lederjacke, even if it looks similar. It's made from synthetic materials.
😂 A Little Joke
Deutsch: Frage: Warum hat die Lederjacke den Job als Türsteher bekommen? Antwort: Weil sie jeden abledert, der Ärger macht!
English Translation: Question: Why did the leather jacket get the job as a bouncer? Answer: Because it 'leathers' anyone who causes trouble!
(This is a pun. "Jemanden abledern" is a colloquial German verb meaning 'to beat someone up' or 'to thrash someone'. It plays on the word "Leder".)
✒️ Poem about the Lederjacke
Deutsch:
Aus Tierhaut, robust und schick,
Begleitet dich durch dick und dick.
Mal cool, mal wild, mal elegant,
Die Lederjacke, wohlbekannt.
Sie schützt vor Wind, hält Kälte fern,
Man trägt sie einfach immer gern.
English Translation:
From animal skin, robust and chic,
It stays with you through thin and thick.
Sometimes cool, wild, or elegant,
The leather jacket, well-renowned.
It shields from wind, keeps cold at bay,
You simply like to wear it any day.
❓ Riddle
Deutsch:
Ich bin aus Haut, doch leb' nicht mehr,
Bin cool und manchmal ziemlich schwer.
Biker lieben mich, Rockstars auch,
Ich häng' oft lässig überm Bauch.
Mein Grundwort zeigt, ich bin feminin.
Was bin ich wohl? Ein Tipp: Nicht aus Satin!
English Translation:
I'm made of skin, but live no more,
I'm cool and sometimes quite a chore (to carry).
Bikers love me, rock stars too,
I often hang casually over you.
My base word shows my gender's 'she'.
What am I? A hint: Not made of satin, you see!
Solution: Die Lederjacke (The leather jacket)
💡 Other Information
Word Composition
The word Lederjacke is a compound noun (Kompositum):
- Das Leder: Determines the material (leather).
- Die Jacke: The base word, determines the grammatical gender (feminine) and the type of garment (jacket).
Cultural Significance
Die Lederjacke has a rich cultural history. Popularized by film icons like Marlon Brando and James Dean, it became a symbol of rebellion, freedom, and coolness. It's deeply embedded in various subcultures like the biker and rock music scenes.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Lederjacke?
The German word for "leather jacket" is Lederjacke and it is always feminine. Therefore, the correct article is exclusively die: die Lederjacke.