die  Oberbekleidung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈoːbɐbəˌklaɪdʊŋ/

🧥 What exactly is Oberbekleidung?

Die Oberbekleidung (feminine, article 'die') refers to items of clothing worn over other clothes, especially for protection against weather conditions like cold, wind, or rain. It's the outermost layer of clothing.

Typically, this includes:

• Jacken (jackets)
• Mäntel (coats)
• Westen (vests, when worn over a shirt/sweater)
• Pullover (sweaters, as the outermost layer)
• Cardigans
• Ponchos
• Capes

It's a collective term. People rarely talk about 'eine Oberbekleidung' (one piece of outerwear), but rather about specific items ('Ich brauche eine neue Jacke.' - 'I need a new jacket.') or use the singular form collectively ('Die Oberbekleidung für den Winter ist im Angebot.' - 'The winter outerwear is on sale.').

⚠️ Important: The word 'Oberbekleidung' is almost exclusively used in the singular, even when referring to multiple items (collective singular). The plural 'die Oberbekleidungen' is very rare and mostly used in technical contexts (e.g., in the textile industry).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Oberbekleidung

The noun 'Oberbekleidung' is feminine. The article is 'die'. It is mostly used in the singular as a collective noun.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural (rare)

Example Sentences

1. Im Winter ist warme Oberbekleidung unerlässlich.
   (In winter, warm outerwear is essential.)
2. Die Abteilung für Oberbekleidung befindet sich im zweiten Stock.
   (The department for outerwear is on the second floor.)
3. Vergiss deine Oberbekleidung nicht, es ist kühl draußen!
   (Don't forget your outerwear, it's chilly outside!)
4. Diese Boutique bietet exklusive Oberbekleidung an.
   (This boutique offers exclusive outerwear.)

💡 How 'Oberbekleidung' is Used

'Oberbekleidung' is a rather formal or general term. In everyday life, Germans usually speak more specifically about Jacke (jacket), Mantel (coat), Pullover (sweater), etc.

Typical contexts:

• Handel/Geschäfte (Retail/Shops): In department stores or online shops to categorize goods (e.g., 'Abteilung für Damen-Oberbekleidung' - 'Women's Outerwear Department').
• Wetterbericht/Reiseplanung (Weather Forecast/Travel Planning): As a recommendation for the type of clothing needed ('Denken Sie an wetterfeste Oberbekleidung' - 'Remember to bring weatherproof outerwear').
• General Descriptions: When talking about layers of clothing ('Unter der Oberbekleidung trug er nur ein T-Shirt' - 'Under his outerwear, he only wore a t-shirt').

Contrast: The opposite is Unterbekleidung or Unterwäsche (underwear). Clothing worn directly on the skin (T-shirt, shirt, blouse) is normally not considered Oberbekleidung unless it forms the outermost layer (e.g., a thick sweater in autumn).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Here are a few tips to remember 'die Oberbekleidung':

Article 'die': Many general terms for types of clothing are feminine in German, like 'die Kleidung' (clothing) itself. Think of 'die' as the protective layer – the jacket, the coat. So, 'die Oberbekleidung'.

Meaning: 'Ober' means 'over' or 'upper'. It's the Bekleidung (clothing) that you wear over everything else, on the top/outside.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar Terms:

• Bekleidung: General term for all clothing items.
• Kleidung: Synonym for Bekleidung (clothing).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Teddybär keine Oberbekleidung an?
(Why isn't the teddy bear wearing any outerwear?)

Weil er schon ein Bärenfell hat!
(Because he already has a bear skin/fur coat!)

📜 A Poem about Outerwear

Wenn der Wind weht, kalt und rau,
(When the wind blows, cold and raw,)
und der Himmel färbt sich grau,
(And the sky turns grey,)
zieh ich schnell, das ist doch klar,
(I quickly put on, that's clear,)
die Oberbekleidung wunderbar.
(The wonderful outerwear.)
Mantel, Jacke, warm und dicht,
(Coat, jacket, warm and dense,)
schützen mich vor Gicht und Gischt.
(Protect me from gout and spray. [Figurative for bad weather])
Ob Regen, Schnee, ob Sturmgebraus,
(Whether rain, snow, or roaring storm,)
so geh' ich sicher aus dem Haus.
(Thus I safely leave the house.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin die Schicht, die man zuletzt anzieht,
(I am the layer you put on last,)
bevor man aus der Tür ins Kalte flieht.
(Before fleeing out the door into the cold.)
Ich schütze dich vor Wind und Nass,
(I protect you from wind and wet,)
ob Mantel, Jacke oder was.
(Be it coat, jacket or whatever.)

Was bin ich? / What am I?
... Die Oberbekleidung / Outerwear

🧩 Other Information

Wortzusammensetzung / Word Composition:

The word 'Oberbekleidung' is a compound noun, made up of:

• Ober- : Prefix meaning 'over', 'outer', 'upper'.
• Bekleidung: Noun meaning 'clothing' (from the verb 'kleiden' - to clothe).

So, it literally describes the 'upper' or 'outer' clothing.