die  Presse

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈpʁɛsə/

📰 What does "die Presse" mean?

The German word die Presse mainly has two meanings:

• The entirety of newspapers, magazines, and the journalists working for them; the media landscape (often used in the singular): This is the most common meaning, referring to the institutions and people who gather, process, and publish news. Example: Die Presse berichtete ausführlich über das Ereignis. (The press reported extensively on the event.)
• A machine for printing or pressing: Especially a printing press (Druckpresse), but also other types of presses (e.g., wine press - Weinpresse, oil press - Ölpresse). Example: Gutenberg erfand die moderne Presse mit beweglichen Lettern. (Gutenberg invented the modern press with movable type.)

🚨 It's important to consider the context to understand the correct meaning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "die Presse"

"Presse" is a feminine noun. It is declined as follows:

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

The plural "die Pressen" is mainly used for the meaning "machine". For the meaning "media", the singular is usually used as a collective noun.

💡 Example Sentences

1. Meaning Media: Die Presse war bei der Konferenz zahlreich vertreten.
   (The press was represented in large numbers at the conference.)
2. Meaning Media: Die Freiheit der Presse ist ein wichtiges Gut in einer Demokratie.
   (Freedom of the press is an important asset in a democracy.)
3. Meaning Machine: Die alte Druckpresse steht jetzt im Museum.
   (The old printing press is now in the museum.)
4. Meaning Machine: Für die Weinherstellung benötigen wir mehrere Pressen.
   (We need several presses for wine production.)

✍️ How to use "die Presse"?

The usage of die Presse depends heavily on its meaning:

• As a media term: Here, "die Presse" is often used as a collective noun. One speaks of "der Presse" as an institution or actor in public discourse (e.g., "Die Presse übt Kritik." - "The press expresses criticism."). Terms like Pressefreiheit (freedom of the press), Pressekonferenz (press conference), Pressemitteilung (press release) also belong here. It's often synonymous with "Medien" (media), but traditionally refers more strongly to print media (newspapers, magazines), although online media are often included today.
• As a machine term: Here, "die Presse" refers to a specific technical device. The plural "die Pressen" is common here (e.g., "In der Fabrik stehen drei große Pressen." - "There are three large presses in the factory."). Context like Druckpresse (printing press), Weinpresse (wine press), Hydraulikpresse (hydraulic press) clarifies the meaning.

⚠️ Don't confuse "die Presse" (media) with individual newspapers or journalists, even though they are part of the press. "Die Presse" is the umbrella term.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Presse"

• Article Mnemonic: Think of 'di'e News or 'di'e Story - both feminine concepts reported by die Presse. Or picture die big printing machine (feminine!) printing the news.

• Meaning Mnemonic: The word comes from "pressen" (to press). Imagine news being "pressed" (formulated, condensed) by journalists to fit into the newspaper (die Presse = media). Or how paper is "pressed" by a machine to print something (die Presse = machine).

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar Words

• pressieren: (verb) to be urgent, to hurry. Has nothing to do with "die Presse" except the common root "pressen". "Es pressiert!" means "It's urgent!".

😂 A Joke about "die Presse"

Fragt der Chefredakteur den neuen Volontär: "Na, wie war Ihr erster Tag bei der Presse?" Antwortet der Volontär: "Ganz schön anstrengend! Ich musste den ganzen Tag Orangen auspressen für den Frühstückssaft der Redaktion!"

Translation: The editor-in-chief asks the new trainee: "So, how was your first day at the press (die Presse)?" The trainee replies: "Pretty exhausting! I had to squeeze oranges all day for the editorial team's breakfast juice!" (Plays on "Presse" meaning media vs. "pressen" meaning to squeeze/press).

📜 Poem about "die Presse"

Die Presse, schwarz auf weiß sie liegt,
Berichtet, was die Welt bewegt.
Mal kritisch, mal voll Lob und Ehr',
Bringt täglich Nachrichten uns her.

Auch als Maschine, stark und laut,
Die Lettern auf das Blatt vertraut.
Zwei Seiten hat sie, klar und rein,
Kann Wort und Werkzeug sein.

Translation:
The Press, in black and white it lies,
Reports on what moves the world's eyes.
Sometimes critical, sometimes full of praise,
Brings news to us in daily ways.

Also as machine, strong and loud,
Entrusting letters to the paper proud.
Two sides it has, both clear and pure,
Can be both word and tool, for sure.

🧩 Riddle

Ich berichte, was geschah,
Bin für viele täglich da.
Manchmal druck' ich auch im Takt,
Bin Maschine und auch Fakt.

Wer bin ich?
... Die Presse

Translation:
I report what happened, near and far,
For many people, daily, there I are.
Sometimes I print, keeping the beat,
I am machine and also fact, neat.

Who am I?
... The Press (die Presse)

✨ Other Information

• Word Origin: The word "Presse" comes from the French word presse, which in turn goes back to the verb presser ("to push", "to press"). This refers to the original connection with the printing press.
• Compounds: There are many compound words with "Presse", e.g., Pressefreiheit (freedom of the press), Presseagentur (press agency), Presseausweis (press card), Pressekonferenz (press conference), Pressemitteilung (press release), Presserummel (media hype), Boulevardpresse (tabloid press), Tagespresse (daily press), Fachpresse (trade press).
• Idiom: "Durch die Presse gehen" (to go through the press) means that something is published or becomes public knowledge.