die
Tinte
🖋️ What does "die Tinte" mean?
Die Tinte (feminine noun) refers to ink, a colored liquid primarily used for writing, drawing, or printing. It typically consists of dyes or pigments dissolved or suspended in a solvent.
- Schreibtinte: Ink used in fountain pens or rollerball pens.
- Druckertinte: Ink used in inkjet printers.
- Zeichentusche: A special type of ink, often India ink, used for artistic purposes.
There is only one article for this word; it is always feminine (die Tinte).
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 Corner: Die Tinte
"Tinte" is a feminine noun and is declined accordingly. It follows the regular declension pattern for feminine nouns.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Tinte |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Tinte |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Tinte |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Tinte |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Tinten |
| Genitive | der | Tinten |
| Dative | den | Tinten |
| Accusative | die | Tinten |
📝 Example Sentences
- Die Tinte in meinem Füller ist leer. (The ink in my fountain pen is empty.)
- Er verschüttete versehentlich blaue Tinte auf das Dokument. (He accidentally spilled blue ink on the document.)
- Für Kalligraphie benötigt man spezielle Tinten. (Special inks are needed for calligraphy.)
- Der Drucker meldet, dass die schwarze Tinte zur Neige geht. (The printer indicates that the black ink is running low.)
💡 How to use "die Tinte"?
"Tinte" is used in contexts related to writing materials, printing supplies, and artistic techniques.
- Everyday language: Talking about fountain pen ink (Füllertinte), printer cartridges (Druckerpatronen), etc.
- Idioms: A well-known idiom is "in der Tinte sitzen", which literally means "to sit in the ink" but translates to "to be in trouble" or "to be in a fix". Example: Nach der verpatzten Präsentation saß er ganz schön in der Tinte. (After the botched presentation, he was really in hot water.)
- Artistic context: Ink drawings (Tuschezeichnungen), calligraphy (Kalligraphie).
Confusion is rare as the word has a very specific meaning.
🧠 Mnemonics for Tinte
Article Mnemonic: Think of the elegant handwriting (die elegante Schrift) you can create with ink. The 'e' endings in Tinte and elegante might remind you of the feminine article die.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a squid (Tintenfisch - literally 'ink fish') squirting its Tinte (ink) to defend itself – a colored liquid!
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Schreibflüssigkeit: More descriptive ('writing fluid'), less common.
- Druckerschwärze/Druckfarbe: Specifically for printer ink ('printer blackness'/'printing color').
- Tusche: Often used for drawing ink, especially black India ink.
⚠️ Be careful not to confuse "Tinte" (ink) with "Farbe" (color/paint) in a general sense, although ink is a type of colorant.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum nehmen Tintenfische nie den Bus?
Weil sie Angst haben, in der Tinte zu sitzen! 😉
(Why do squids never take the bus?
Because they are afraid of being 'in the ink' (in trouble)!)
📜 A Poem about Ink
Die Tinte schwarz, die Tinte blau,
Fließt aufs Papier, präzis, genau.
Aus dem Fässchen, aus dem Stift,
Was man denkt, sie niederschreibt.
Manchmal kleckst sie, ach herrje,
Dann sitzt man tief in der... äh... Patsche!
(The ink black, the ink blue,
Flows onto paper, precise and true.
From the bottle, from the pen,
What one thinks, it writes down then.
Sometimes it blots, oh dear me,
Then you're deep in... er... trouble, you see!)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin flüssig, doch kein Wasser,
Mache Weißes bunter, blasser
Kann ich nichts. Im Füller wohn' ich,
Oder drucke dir Berichte honiglich.
Was bin ich?
(I am liquid, but not water,
I make white things colorful, paler
I cannot make things. In the fountain pen I dwell,
Or print reports for you, sweet as caramel.
What am I?)
Solution: Die Tinte (Ink)
✨ More Tidbits
- Etymology: The word "Tinte" comes from the Latin word tincta, meaning "dyed" or "colored" (from tingere = to dye, to dip).
- Tintenfisch (Squid/Cuttlefish): The German name for squid/cuttlefish literally means 'ink fish', derived from its ability to eject a dark, ink-like liquid (sepia) when threatened.
- Unsichtbare Tinte (Invisible Ink): There are also special inks that only become visible under certain conditions (e.g., heat, UV light).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Tinte?
The German word "Tinte", meaning ink, is always feminine. The correct article is die Tinte.