die  Plakette

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/plaˈkɛtə/

🏅 What Exactly is a Plakette?

The German word die Plakette (feminine) generally refers to a small, often flat plate, badge, or sticker, usually made of metal, plastic, or adhesive material. Plaketten serve various purposes:

• Identification: They can be used for identification, classification, or as proof (e.g., die TÜV-Plakette - vehicle inspection sticker, die Umweltplakette - environmental zone sticker).
• Award: They are given as honors or prizes (e.g., die Sportplakette - sports badge).
• Commemoration: They can commemorate people, places, or events (e.g., die Gedenkplakette - commemorative plaque).
• Decoration: Some Plaketten also have a purely decorative purpose.

Essentially, it's a versatile small object with an informative or symbolic function.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: Die Plakette in Detail

The noun "Plakette" is feminine. The definite article is "die". Here is the declension:

💡 Example Sentences

1. Die grüne Plakette erlaubt das Fahren in der Umweltzone.
   (The green sticker allows driving in the environmental zone.)
2. Er erhielt eine Plakette für seine langjährige Mitgliedschaft im Verein.
   (He received a plaque/badge for his long-standing membership in the club.)
3. Die Plakette auf dem Pokal ist schon etwas angelaufen.
   (The plaque on the trophy is already a bit tarnished.)
4. Ohne gültige TÜV-Plakette darf das Auto nicht auf die Straße.
   (Without a valid TÜV sticker, the car is not allowed on the road.)

🚗 When to Use "Plakette"?

The term "Plakette" is often used in connection with official markings, especially in road traffic:

• TÜV-Plakette: Indicates when the next main vehicle inspection (TÜV) is due. It's located on the rear license plate.
• Umweltplakette (Feinstaubplakette): Classifies vehicles according to their emission levels and regulates entry into low-emission zones (Umweltzonen). It's affixed to the windshield.
• Vignette/Mautplakette: In some countries, a sticker proving payment of motorway tolls.

Additionally, the term is found for:

• Gedenkplaketten: On buildings or monuments for commemoration.
• Auszeichnungen (Awards): As badges of honor at sports events or in clubs.
• Typenschilder (Nameplates): Small plaques on devices showing technical data.

Compared to a simple "Aufkleber" (sticker), a "Plakette" often has a more official character or is made of a more solid material (metal, hard plastic), even if it is sometimes just a special sticker (like the Umweltplakette).

🧠 Mnemonics for Plakette

Article Mnemonic: Think of a queen (feminine) receiving a decorative plaquette. The ending '-e' is very common for feminine nouns in German, like die Plakette.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine needing a small plaq(ue) to stick it (-kette, sounds a bit like 'ticket' or 'sticker') onto your car for permission. A Plakette is like a permission plaque or sticker.

↔️ Similar and Opposite Terms

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Polizist den Autofahrer: "Haben Sie überhaupt eine gültige Plakette?" Antwortet der Fahrer: "Wieso, haben Sie Ihre verloren?"

English Translation: The police officer asks the driver: "Do you even have a valid sticker/badge?" The driver replies: "Why, did you lose yours?"

📜 A Little Poem about the Plakette

German:
Am Auto klebt sie, klein und rund,
Die TÜV-Plakette, tut uns kund,
Wann Prüfung war, wann sie erneut,
Damit Sicherheit uns erfreut.

Auch grün, gelb, rot, am Fenster vorn,
Als Umweltzonen-Ausweis geborn'.
Die Plakette, ein Zeichen klar,
Ist nützlich, wichtig, Jahr für Jahr.

English Translation:
On the car it sticks, small and round,
The TÜV sticker, knowledge profound,
When inspection was, when it's due,
So safety always sees us through.

Also green, yellow, red, on the front pane,
As an environmental zone pass, born again.
The plaque/sticker, a signal clear,
Is useful, vital, year after year.

❓ A Little Riddle

German:
Ich bin klein, oft rund, manchmal eckig,
Auf Metall, Plastik oder klebrig.
Am Auto zeig' ich TÜV und Umwelt an,
Als Preis zier' ich den besten Mann.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I am small, often round, sometimes square,
On metal, plastic, or sticky ware.
On cars, I show TÜV and environment's state,
As a prize, I adorn the best candidate.

What am I?

Solution: die Plakette (the plaque/badge/sticker)

ℹ️ Additional Info

Word Origin: The word "Plakette" comes from the French word "plaquette", meaning "small plate" or "leaflet". It is the diminutive form of "plaque" (plate).

Compounds: "Plakette" is often part of compound nouns that specify its purpose:

• Umweltplakette (Environmental sticker)
• TÜV-Plakette (TÜV inspection sticker)
• Gedenkplakette (Commemorative plaque)
• Sportplakette (Sports badge/plaque)
• Prüfplakette (Inspection sticker/tag)