die
Tasche
👜 What does "die Tasche" mean?
The word die Tasche is a feminine noun in German and primarily has two meanings:
- A container for carrying items: This is the most common meaning, referring to various types of bags like handbags (Handtaschen), backpacks (Rucksäcke), shopping bags (Einkaufstaschen), wallets (Brieftaschen), etc. Example: Sie trägt ihre Bücher in einer großen Tasche. (She carries her books in a big bag.)
- A sewn-in pouch in clothing: This refers to pockets in trousers (Hosentaschen), jackets (Jackentaschen), shirts (Hemdtaschen), etc., where you can put small items. Example: Er steckte seine Hände in die Taschen seines Mantels. (He put his hands in the pockets of his coat.)
Although it only uses the article "die", the context is important to understand which type of Tasche is meant.
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 Spotlight: die Tasche
"Tasche" is a feminine noun and always uses the article die. The declension is regular.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Tasche |
| Genitive | der | Tasche |
| Dative | der | Tasche |
| Accusative | die | Tasche |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Taschen |
| Genitive | der | Taschen |
| Dative | den | Taschen |
| Accusative | die | Taschen |
📝 Example Sentences
- Ich suche meine Tasche. (I am looking for my bag/purse - Accusative Singular - container)
- Der Inhalt der Tasche ist geheim. (The content of the bag is secret - Genitive Singular - container)
- Was hast du in deiner Tasche? (What do you have in your pocket? - Dative Singular - clothing)
- Die Kinder packen ihre Taschen für die Schule. (The children are packing their bags for school - Accusative Plural - container)
- In den Taschen der Jacke war nur Staub. (There was only dust in the pockets of the jacket - Dative Plural - clothing)
💡 How to Use "die Tasche" Correctly
The term "Tasche" is very versatile. Here are some typical use cases:
- Everyday life (Bags): Handtasche (handbag), Einkaufstasche (shopping bag), Sporttasche (sports bag), Schultasche (school bag) - depending on the context, people often just say "Tasche" if it's clear which one is meant. ("Wo ist meine Tasche?" - likely meaning the handbag).
- Clothing (Pockets): Hosentasche (trouser pocket), Jackentasche (jacket pocket), Brusttasche (breast pocket), Innentasche (inside pocket) - this almost always refers to the sewn-in pocket.
- Idioms (Redewendungen):
- Jemandem auf der Tasche liegen: (lit. to lie on someone's pocket) - to be a financial burden to someone.
- In die eigene Tasche wirtschaften: (lit. to manage into one's own pocket) - to enrich oneself at the expense of others.
- Tief in die Tasche greifen müssen: (lit. to have to reach deep into the pocket) - to have to spend a lot of money.
⚠️ Be careful not to confuse "Tasche" with "Tasse" (die Tasse - cup), even though they sound similar!
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Tasche"
- Remembering the Article (die): Many accessories or items sometimes traditionally associated with women are feminine in German: die Handtasche (handbag), die Kette (necklace), die Uhr (watch). Think of an elegant lady (feminine = 'die') with her Tasche (bag). Also, the word ends in "-e", which is a common (but not guaranteed!) indicator for feminine nouns in German.
- Remembering the Meanings (bag/pocket): Imagine you TOSS (sounds a bit like Tasch-) your stuff into a big Tasche (bag), and then you TUCK your keys into your trouser Tasche (pocket). Both are 'Taschen' holding things.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar words):
Antonyms (opposites):
Direct antonyms are difficult. Conceptually, one might think:
- Instead of having something in the Tasche: something outside, open, visible.
- Instead of a Tasche (for carrying): die Hände (the hands - if carrying nothing).
⚠️ Similar but different words:
- Die Tasse: (cup) - Sounds similar, but means something completely different!
- Die Tatze: (paw) - Also sounds somewhat similar.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Känguru-Vater immer eine leere Tasche?
Weil die Kinder schon ausgezogen sind! 😄
(Why does the kangaroo dad always have an empty pocket/pouch? Because the kids have already moved out! - This plays on the kangaroo's pouch, also called 'Tasche' sometimes, and the double meaning of 'ausziehen' - to move out / to take off clothes)
✍️ Poem about the Tasche
Die Tasche, treu an meiner Seit',
(The bag, loyal at my side,)
Bereit für jede Kleinigkeit.
(Ready for every little thing.)
Mal groß, mal klein, aus Stoff, aus Leder,
(Sometimes big, sometimes small, of fabric, of leather,)
Bewahrt mein Hab und Gut ein jeder.
(Safeguards my belongings, every one.)
In Hosen, Jacken, eingenäht,
(In trousers, jackets, sewn right in,)
Wohin man auch im Leben geht.
(Wherever one may go in life.)
Die Tasche, ja, sie ist profund,
(The bag, yes, it is profound,)
Hält Schlüssel, Geld und ist oft bunt!
(Holds keys, money, and is often colourful!)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich habe keinen Mund, doch schlucke viel,
(I have no mouth, yet I swallow much,)
Trag Schätze mit mir, das ist mein Ziel.
(I carry treasures with me, that is my goal.)
Mal häng ich an der Schulter, mal an der Hand,
(Sometimes I hang on the shoulder, sometimes on the hand,)
Mal bin ich in die Hose fest gebannt.
(Sometimes I'm firmly fixed into the trousers.)
Was bin ich? / What am I?
(Lösung/Solution: die Tasche / the bag/pocket)
🧩 Other Interesting Info
- Etymology (Word Origin): The word "Tasche" comes from the Old High German "tasca" and is likely related to the Italian "tasca" (pocket/bag). The exact origin isn't fully clear, but it probably originally referred to a pouch or sack.
- Compound Words (Komposita): German loves compound words! There are countless words ending in "-tasche": Handtasche (handbag), Brieftasche (wallet), Aktentasche (briefcase), Schultasche (school bag), Umhängetasche (shoulder bag), Bauchtasche (fanny pack/bum bag), Hosentasche (trouser pocket), Jackentasche (jacket pocket), Seitentasche (side pocket), Werkzeugtasche (tool bag), Kulturtasche (toiletry bag), Kühltasche (cooler bag), Plastiktasche (plastic bag), Papiertasche (paper bag)... The list goes on! Each describes a more specific type of Tasche.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Tasche?
The German word Tasche is always feminine. The correct article is die Tasche (plural: die Taschen). It means either a container for carrying things (e.g., Handtasche - handbag) or a sewn-in pouch in clothing (e.g., Hosentasche - trouser pocket).