die
Tablette
💊 What exactly is a 'Tablette'?
The German word die Tablette has several meanings:
- Medical tablet/pill: This is the most common meaning. It refers to a solid dosage form, usually round or oval, for taking medication orally. Synonyms often include die Pille (the pill) or die Pastille (the lozenge). таблетка (tabletka)
- Tablet computer: A portable, flat computer with touchscreen operation. A more modern meaning of the word. 💻
- Small tray/plate: Used less frequently, it can also refer to a small, flat board or plate, similar to the French origin word 'tablette' (small table, small board). For example, a Schokoladentablette (outdated term for a bar of chocolate) or a small serving tray. 🍽️
🚨 Attention: Do not confuse it with das Tablett, which means a serving tray!
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 Tablette' in Detail
The noun "Tablette" is feminine. The article is therefore die. It is declined as follows:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Tablette |
| Genitive | der | Tablette |
| Dative | der | Tablette |
| Accusative | die | Tablette |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Tabletten |
| Genitive | der | Tabletten |
| Dative | den | Tabletten |
| Accusative | die | Tabletten |
Example Sentences
- Ich muss dreimal täglich eine Tablette nehmen.
I have to take one tablet three times a day. - Sie liest gerne E-Books auf ihrer Tablette.
She likes reading e-books on her tablet (computer). - Hast du die Tabletten gegen Kopfschmerzen dabei?
Do you have the headache tablets with you? - Die neuen Tabletten haben eine viel bessere Auflösung.
The new tablets (computers) have a much better resolution.
💬 How to use 'Tablette'?
- In a medical context: When talking about medication, 'Tablette' is very common (e.g., Schmerztablette - painkiller tablet, Vitamintablette - vitamin tablet, Brausetablette - effervescent tablet). You take (einnehmen), swallow (schlucken), or dissolve (auflösen lassen) a Tablette.
- In a technical context: Here, 'Tablette' is a synonym for Tablet-Computer or Tablet-PC. One talks about surfing (surfen), playing (spielen), or working (arbeiten) on the Tablette.
- Rare usage: The meaning 'small board/plate' is rather uncommon and usually replaced by more specific terms like das Tablett (tray), die Platte (plate), die Tafel (bar, for chocolate).
Context is key: "Ich habe eine neue Tablette" (I have a new tablet) can be ambiguous without further context – does one mean medicine or a device?
🧠 Mnemonics for 'Tablette'
For the article 'die': Many feminine nouns end in -e, like die Lampe, die Tasse. Also, think of die Pille (the pill), which is also feminine and a primary meaning of die Tablette. So, remember: the pill (die Pille) is a type of die Tablette.
For the meanings: The word sounds like the English 'tablet'. Imagine a medical tablet (pill) 💊 resting on a digital tablet (computer) 💻. Both flat things are Tabletten in German.
↔️ Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms
Antonyms/Contrasting Terms
- For medical tablet (other forms): Flüssigkeit (f) (liquid), Saft (m) (juice/syrup), Tropfen (m, Pl.) (drops), Pulver (n) (powder), Salbe (f) (ointment), Zäpfchen (n) (suppository)
- For tablet computer (other devices): Desktop-Computer (m), Laptop (m), Smartphone (n)
⚠️ Similar Words (Risk of Confusion!)
- das Tablett: This means a serving tray or storage tray. It's neuter (das)!
- die Tafel: Can mean a blackboard, a bar of chocolate, or a banquet table.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum ging die Tablette zum Arzt?
... Weil sie einen Virus hatte und dringend ein Update brauchte!
Why did the tablet go to the doctor?
... Because it had a virus and urgently needed an update!
📜 Poem about the Tablette
Ob Pille klein für Wohlbefinden,
Um schnell Gesundheit neu zu finden,
Ob flacher Schirm mit bunter Pracht,
Der uns die weite Welt gebracht –
Die Tablette, schlicht und fein,
Kann Medizin und Technik sein.
Whether small pill for well-being,
To quickly find new health again,
Whether flat screen with colourful splendour,
That brought the wide world to us –
The Tablette, simple and fine,
Can be medicine and technology combined.
❓ Riddle
Ich kann bitter schmecken oder süß,
Bring Heilung dir zu Hand und Fuß.
Doch zeig ich auch die Welt dir weit,
Vertreibe Langeweile und Zeit.
Was bin ich?
I can taste bitter or sweet,
Bring healing to your hands and feet.
But I also show you the world so wide,
Chase away boredom and time.
What am I?
(Solution: die Tablette)
✨ Other Interesting Facts
Word Origin: The word "Tablette" comes from the French tablette, which is a diminutive of table (table) and originally meant "small tablet" or "small board". This original meaning is still found in the (rare) use for small plates or historically for small bars of chocolate.
Compound Words (Wortbildungen): There are many compound words, especially in the medical field:
- Schmerztablette (painkiller tablet)
- Schlaftablette (sleeping pill; also colloquially for a slow person)
- Brausetablette (effervescent tablet)
- Vitamintablette (vitamin tablet)
- Hustentablette (cough drop/tablet)
- Grafiktablette (graphics tablet - an input device for computers)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Tablette?
The word "Tablette" is feminine. The correct article is always die Tablette.