die
Packung
📦 What exactly is a 'Packung'?
Die Packung (noun, feminine) generally refers to a wrapper, container, or package used to protect, transport, store, or present goods or products. It can be a box (Schachtel), a bag (Beutel), a can (Dose), or another form of packaging.
Figuratively, 'eine Packung kriegen' (to get a packing/beating) can mean to get a beating (colloquial).
Since the word ends in -ung and is derived from a verb (packen - to pack), the article is, like almost all such words, die. ♀️
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
🧐 Grammar: Declension of 'Packung'
The noun 'die Packung' is feminine and is declined regularly.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Packung |
| Genitive | der | Packung |
| Dative | der | Packung |
| Accusative | die | Packung |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Packungen |
| Genitive | der | Packungen |
| Dative | den | Packungen |
| Accusative | die | Packungen |
📝 Example Sentences
- Ich kaufe eine Packung Nudeln. (I buy a pack of pasta.)
- Der Inhalt der Packung ist beschädigt. (The content of the package is damaged.)
- Auf der Packung steht das Mindesthaltbarkeitsdatum. (The expiration date is on the package.)
- Öffne bitte die Packung vorsichtig! (Please open the package carefully!)
- Im Regal stehen viele bunte Packungen. (There are many colorful packages on the shelf.)
💡 How to use 'die Packung'?
'Die Packung' is an everyday word you'll encounter frequently when shopping (beim Einkaufen), cooking (beim Kochen), or around the house.
- Shopping: You often buy groceries or other products in Packungen (e.g., eine Packung Kaffee - a pack of coffee, eine Packung Taschentücher - a pack of tissues, eine Packung Schrauben - a pack of screws).
- Medicine: Medicines usually come in a Packung with a leaflet (Beipackzettel). (e.g., Bitte lies die Informationen auf der Packung. - Please read the information on the package.)
- As a unit of measure: Sometimes 'Packung' is used as an approximate quantity (e.g., Für den Kuchen brauchst du eine halbe Packung Butter. - You need half a pack of butter for the cake.).
- Colloquial use: As mentioned, "eine Packung kriegen" can mean to get a beating or also to suffer a heavy defeat (e.g., in sports: Unsere Mannschaft hat eine richtige Packung bekommen. - Our team really got thrashed.). 🤕
There are many compound words like Geschenkpackung (gift box), Vorratspackung (storage pack), Medikamentenpackung (medicine package), Zigarettenpackung (cigarette pack), etc.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'Packung'
Article Mnemonic: Remember the '-ung' ending! Words ending in '-ung' are almost always feminine in German. The ending (-ung) brings the saving (-ung) – it's die Packung! ♀️
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you have to pack (packen) lots of things. What do you need? A Packung (package)! 🎁
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Die Verpackung: Very similar, often interchangeable. 'Verpackung' can be slightly more general, also referring to the material or the act of packaging.
- Die Schachtel: More specific, usually a box made of cardboard, often rectangular.
- Der Beutel: More like a bag, typically for loose or flexible contents (e.g., chips, candy).
- Die Dose: A can or tin, usually metal or plastic, often cylindrical.
- Das Päckchen: A small package, often used for parcels sent by mail.
⚠️ Caution: While similar, 'das Paket' usually refers to a larger parcel or package sent via postal service.
😂 A Little Joke
German: Fragt der Verkäufer: "Brauchen Sie eine Tüte für die Packung Müsli?" Sagt der Kunde: "Nein danke, die Packung ist ja schon die Tüte für das Müsli!"
English: The cashier asks: "Do you need a bag for the box of cereal?" The customer replies: "No thanks, the box is already the bag for the cereal!"
📜 Poem about the 'Packung'
German:
Die Packung, bunt und oft quadratisch,
hält den Inhalt wohlverwahrt und praktisch.
Mal aus Pappe, Folie, Glas,
schützt sie gut vor Staub und Nass.
Man reißt sie auf mit schneller Hand,
was drin ist, wird dann interessant!
English:
The package, colorful and often square,
keeps the contents safe and handled with care.
Made of cardboard, foil, or glass,
protecting well from dust and splash.
You tear it open with a rapid hand,
what's inside becomes quite grand!
❓ Riddle
German:
Ich habe keine Stimme, doch ich sage dir, was drin.
Ich habe keinen Magen, doch ich halte Nahrung innen.
Man kauft mich oft im Laden, doch man will mich selten nur.
Man wirft mich meistens weg nach kurzer Lebensspur.
Was bin ich?
... Die Packung
English:
I have no voice, but I tell you what's inside.
I have no stomach, yet food within me hide.
I'm often bought in stores, but rarely wanted for my own sake.
I'm usually thrown away after a short life I partake.
What am I?
... The package (Die Packung)
✨ More Interesting Facts
Word Formation:
The word 'Packung' is a noun derived from the verb 'packen' (to pack). The suffix '-ung' is commonly used in German to form nouns from verbs. These nouns are almost always feminine.
Examples:
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Packung?
The German word Packung is a feminine noun, so the correct article is die. It means package, pack, or container for goods. It follows regular declension rules (plural: die Packungen). Its feminine gender is typical for nouns derived from verbs (here: packen) using the suffix -ung.