die  Tür

🚪 What exactly is a "Tür"?

Die Tür (noun, feminine) generally refers to a movable barrier used to close or open an opening in a wall, piece of furniture, or vehicle. It allows or prevents passage or access.

• Main meaning: A structural element for closing a wall opening, which allows or blocks access to a room, building, or area. In English: door.
• Figurative meaning: Can also metaphorically represent an opportunity, access, or chance (e.g., "Die Tür zur Zukunft ist offen." - "The door to the future is open.").

Since the word only takes the article "die", there are no different meanings based on different articles. 🚨 Pay attention to the correct pronunciation of the umlaut 'ü'.

🧐 Grammar of "die Tür" in Detail

The noun "Tür" is feminine. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

1. Bitte schließ die Tür leise. (Please close the door quietly. - Accusative Singular)
2. Der Schlüssel steckt in der Tür. (The key is in the door. - Dative Singular)
3. Der Griff der Tür ist kaputt. (The handle of the door is broken. - Genitive Singular)
4. In diesem Flur gibt es viele Türen. (There are many doors in this hallway. - Nominative Plural)
5. Er stand vor verschlossenen Türen. (He stood before closed doors. - Dative Plural)

💬 How "die Tür" is Used

"Die Tür" is a very common word in everyday life. Here are some typical contexts and idioms:

• Everyday use: "Machst du bitte die Tür zu?" (Could you please close the door?), "Wer klopft an die Tür?" (Who is knocking at the door?), "Die Tür klemmt." (The door is stuck.)
• Idioms:
  • "vor der Tür stehen" (lit. "to stand before the door"): to be imminent (e.g., "Die Prüfungen stehen vor der Tür." - "The exams are just around the corner.")
  • "jemandem die Tür weisen" (lit. "to show someone the door"): to kick someone out
  • "offene Türen einrennen" (lit. "to run into open doors"): to suggest or demand something that is already accepted; preaching to the choir
  • "Tür an Tür wohnen": to live next door to each other
  • "zwischen Tür und Angel" (lit. "between door and hinge"): to do something quickly, on the side
• Distinction: A Tür is primarily for the passage of people. A Tor (das) is usually larger and often serves for the passage of vehicles (e.g., Gartentor - garden gate, Stadttor - city gate). A Fenster (das - window) is primarily for letting in light and ventilation, not for passage.

💡 Mnemonics for "die Tür"

Article Mnemonic: Most single-syllable German nouns ending in "-r" with an umlaut (like Tür, Fürst) are feminine or masculine. Remember: Die Queen uses die Tür. (Both need 'die', Queen is feminine).

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you have to go 'through' (sounds a bit like 'Tür' with the 'ü' sound) the door to get somewhere.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms of Tür

⚠️ Similar but Different Words

• Tor (das): Gate; larger than a Tür, often for vehicles or entrance to grounds (Gartentor - garden gate, Stadttor - city gate).
• Fenster (das): Window; opening in a wall for light and air, not for passage.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Warum hat die Blondine die Tür offen gelassen? - Damit niemand durchs Schlüsselloch gucken kann!

English: Why did the blonde leave the door open? - So that nobody could look through the keyhole! 😄

✍️ Poem about the Door

German: Die Tür, sie steht, mal auf, mal zu, Lässt rein die Freude, manchmal Weh und Ruh. Sie trennt das Draußen von dem Drinnen, Lässt neue Welten uns beginnen. Ein Klopfen leis', ein lauter Knall, Die Tür erlebt so manchen Fall. Sie schützt, sie birgt, sie lädt uns ein, Ein schlichtes Ding, doch selten allein. English Translation: The door, it stands, now open, now closed, Lets in joy, sometimes sorrow and repose. It separates the outside from within, Lets new worlds for us begin. A gentle knock, a loud bang's call, The door experiences many a fall. It protects, it holds, invites us near, A simple thing, but rarely drear.

❓ Riddle Time

German: Ich habe einen Griff, doch keine Hand.
Ich habe ein Schloss, doch kein eigenes Land.
Ich öffne und schließe, Tag für Tag,
Was bin ich, wenn ich fragen darf?

English Translation: I have a handle, but no hand.
I have a lock, but no land of my own.
I open and close, day after day,
What am I, if I may ask?

Solution: Die Tür (The door)

✨ Other Info about "die Tür"

Interesting facts related to the door:

• Compound Words: "Tür" is part of many compound German words, e.g.:
  • Haustür (front door)
  • Zimmertür (room door)
  • Autotür (car door)
  • Schiebetür (sliding door)
  • Hintertür (back door; also metaphorically for an unofficial way)
  • Drehtür (revolving door)
• Cultural Significance: Doors often have symbolic meaning, e.g., as transitions between worlds or life stages. Nailing theses to a church door (Luther) is a famous historical event associated with a Tür.
• Materials: Doors are made from various materials like Holz (wood), Metall (metal), Glas (glass), or Kunststoff (plastic).