die
Sache
🤔 What does "die Sache" actually mean?
The word die Sache (noun, feminine) is a very versatile word in German. It has several main meanings:
- Thing, object: Refers to a concrete, often unspecified object. Example: Was ist das für eine Sache auf dem Tisch? (What's that thing on the table?)
- Matter, affair, issue, topic: Refers to an abstract situation, a problem, a topic, or a state of affairs. Example: Das ist eine komplizierte Sache. (That's a complicated matter.)
- Case (often legal): Refers to a specific case or matter, often in a legal or business context. Example: Die Sache wird vor Gericht verhandelt. (The case will be heard in court.)
- Concern, business: Can also refer to a task or a personal concern. Example: Das ist meine Sache, nicht deine. (That's my business/concern, not yours.)
🚨 It's important to consider the context to understand the precise meaning of die Sache.
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 of "die Sache" in Detail
Die Sache is a feminine noun. The plural is die Sachen.
Declension
Here's how die Sache changes in the different German cases (Fälle):
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die Sache | eine Sache |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der Sache | einer Sache |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der Sache | einer Sache |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die Sache | eine Sache |
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Sachen | Sachen / keine Sachen |
| Genitive | der Sachen | Sachen / keiner Sachen |
| Dative | den Sachen | Sachen / keinen Sachen |
| Accusative | die Sachen | Sachen / keine Sachen |
Example Sentences
- Das ist eine heikle Sache. (That's a delicate matter.)
- Bring bitte deine Sachen mit. (Please bring your things/belongings.)
- Er versteht viel von technischen Sachen. (He knows a lot about technical matters/topics.)
- Der Anwalt kümmert sich um die Sache. (The lawyer is taking care of the case/matter.)
- Zur Sache! (Get to the point! / Let's get down to business!)
💡 How to Use "die Sache"?
Die Sache is an extremely common word. Here are some typical contexts:
- Everyday language: Often used as a placeholder for an unspecified thing or matter. "Gib mir mal die Sache da." (Give me that thing over there.) or "Das ist ja eine tolle Sache!" (That's a great thing/idea!)
- Discussions/Meetings: To refer to a topic or point. "Kommen wir zur nächsten Sache auf der Tagesordnung." (Let's move on to the next item/matter on the agenda.)
- Personal domain: To express possession or responsibility. "Pack deine Sachen." (Pack your things.) or "Das ist nicht deine Sache." (That's none of your business/concern.)
- Formal/Legal context: Here it usually means "case" or "matter". "In Sachen Müller gegen Schmidt..." (In the matter of Müller versus Schmidt...)
Comparison with "das Ding": While "das Ding" mostly refers to concrete, tangible objects, "die Sache" can denote both concrete and abstract things or matters. "Sache" is often more general and can encompass more complex issues.
Fixed expressions (Feste Wendungen): There are many idioms with "Sache", e.g., "zur Sache kommen" (to get to the point), "seine Sachen machen" (to do one's own thing), "halbe Sachen machen" (to do things by halves), "die Sache hat einen Haken" (there's a catch to it).
🧠 Memory Aids for "die Sache"
Article Mnemonic: Most German nouns ending in -e are feminine, including die Sache. Imagine a chic (sounds like Sach-) lady (feminine 'die') carrying lots of things ('Sachen'). Die chic lady has die Sachen.
Meaning Mnemonic: Think of a big sack ('Sack' sounds a bit like 'Sache'). You can put all sorts of 'Sachen' into a sack – concrete things, but also abstract problems or matters. Die Sache is like this versatile sack for anything.
🔄 Synonyms, Antonyms & Similar Words
Synonyms (depending on context):
- Ding (das): (more concrete thing)
- Gegenstand (der): (object)
- Angelegenheit (die): (matter, affair, issue)
- Thema (das): (topic, subject)
- Fall (der): (case, specific instance)
- Umstand (der): (circumstance)
- Punkt (der): (point, item in a discussion)
- Zeug (das): (stuff, things - colloquial)
Similar, potentially confusing words:
- Sachverhalt (der): (facts of a case, state of affairs - more specific than Sache)
- Ursache (die): (cause, reason)
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Computer kalte Füße bekommen?
Er hatte zu viele Fenster offen und es war eine zugige Sache!
(Why did the computer get cold feet?
It had too many windows open and it was a drafty affair/thing!)
✍️ Poem about die Sache
Die Sache, mal groß, mal klein,
mal ein Ding, mal nur Schein.
Eine ernste Angelegenheit,
oder leichte Tätigkeit.
Im Recht ist sie ein Fall,
Im Alltag überall.
Man kommt zu ihr, Punkt für Punkt,
Die Sache macht die Welt uns bunt.
(The thing/matter, sometimes big, sometimes small,
Sometimes an object, sometimes just appearance.
A serious affair,
Or light activity.
In law, it is a case,
In everyday life, everywhere.
One gets to it, point by point,
The thing/matter makes our world colourful.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich kann ein Ding sein, das du hältst,
oder ein Problem, das du erzählst.
Ich kann ein Thema sein, ein Fall,
bin wichtig oft und überall.
Manchmal packst du mich ein,
manchmal lässt du's lieber sein.
Was bin ich?
... Die Sache
(I can be a thing that you hold,
Or a problem that you're told.
I can be a topic, a case,
I'm often important all over the place.
Sometimes you pack me away,
Sometimes you leave me for another day.
What am I?
... Die Sache (the thing / the matter / the case))
🌐 More about "die Sache"
Interesting aspects related to "die Sache":
- Word Family: Belongs to the word family of "sachlich" (objective, factual), "tatsächlich" (actual, real), "Sachverhalt" (facts of the matter).
- Compounds (Wortzusammensetzungen): Forms many compound nouns like "Hauptsache" (main thing), "Nebensache" (side issue, minor matter), "Geschmackssache" (matter of taste), "Herzenssache" (matter close to one's heart).
- Philosophy: The concept of the "Ding an sich" (thing-in-itself) in Kantian philosophy refers to reality as it is independent of our perception – a philosophical "Sache".
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Sache?
The German word Sache is feminine. The correct article is always die Sache.