die
Vorlage
📚 What does 'die Vorlage' mean?
The word die Vorlage is a feminine noun with several meanings:
- 📄 Template or Pattern: Something that serves as a model or guideline for creating other, similar things. (e.g., eine Dokumentvorlage - a document template, eine Schnittmustervorlage - a sewing pattern)
- 🎨 Original or Draft: An original document, artwork, or draft submitted for reproduction, approval, or further processing. (e.g., die Druckvorlage - the print master, die Gesetzesvorlage - the legislative bill)
- ⚽ Assist in Sports: In sports, especially football (soccer) or ice hockey, die Vorlage refers to the decisive pass that directly leads to a goal (also called an assist).
- 🏛️ Bill (Legislative): A draft for a new law presented to parliament for discussion and voting.
⚠️ Pay attention to the context to understand the correct meaning.
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 Vorlage' in Detail
Die Vorlage is a feminine noun. The plural is die Vorlagen.
Declension
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die Vorlage | eine Vorlage |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der Vorlage | einer Vorlage |
| Dative (To whom?) | der Vorlage | einer Vorlage |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die Vorlage | eine Vorlage |
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Vorlagen | - Vorlagen |
| Genitive | der Vorlagen | - Vorlagen |
| Dative | den Vorlagen | - Vorlagen |
| Accusative | die Vorlagen | - Vorlagen |
Example Sentences
- (Template) Bitte benutzen Sie die Vorlage für den Geschäftsbrief. (Please use the template for the business letter.)
- (Original) Der Grafiker schickte die Druckvorlage an die Druckerei. (The graphic designer sent the print master to the printing house.)
- (Assist) Müller gab die Vorlage zum entscheidenden Tor. (Müller provided the assist for the decisive goal.)
- (Bill) Die Regierung brachte eine neue Gesetzesvorlage ein. (The government introduced a new bill.)
💡 How to use 'die Vorlage'?
The usage of die Vorlage heavily depends on the context:
- In the office / design: Here, Vorlage usually refers to a template document (word processing, presentation) or a pattern/stencil (design, crafts) that helps maintain consistency and save time. Example: "Ich habe die Excel-Vorlage für die Budgetplanung verwendet." (I used the Excel template for budget planning.)
- In publishing / printing: Here, die Vorlage is the original (manuscript, image) that is to be reproduced. Example: "Die Qualität der Kopie hängt von der Qualität der Vorlage ab." (The quality of the copy depends on the quality of the original.)
- In sports: A Vorlage is the pass that immediately leads to a goal (an assist). A player who provides many Vorlagen is a good playmaker. Example: "Er hat diese Saison schon 15 Vorlagen gegeben." (He has already provided 15 assists this season.)
- In politics / administration: A Vorlage is an official draft (e.g., Gesetzesvorlage - bill) presented for review or voting. Example: "Die Vorlage wurde im Ausschuss diskutiert." (The bill was discussed in the committee.)
It's crucial to understand the context to avoid misunderstandings, as the word has specific meanings in different fields.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Vorlage'
Article Mnemonic: Many German nouns ending in -e with two syllables are feminine (die), like die Lampe, die Tasche, die Straße... Die Vorlage fits this pattern. Imagine SHE (feminine) lays something VOR (in front) of you as a Vorlage (template/original).
Meaning Mnemonic: Remember that a Vorlage is something you LAY (legen) IN FRONT (VOR) of someone else – whether it's a template to copy, a document for review, or a pass to score a goal.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms for 'die Vorlage'
Synonyms (Similar words):
- For Template/Pattern: das Muster (pattern, sample), die Schablone (stencil, template), das Beispiel (example), das Modell (model), der Standard (standard), der Prototyp (prototype), das Formular (form)
- For Original/Draft: das Original (original), der Entwurf (draft, design), das Manuskript (manuscript), die Druckvorlage (print master), die Kopiervorlage (copy master), die Einreichung (submission)
- For Assist (Sports): der Pass (pass), der Assist (assist), die Torvorbereitung (goal setup), das Zuspiel (pass)
- For Bill (Legislative): der Gesetzesentwurf (draft law, bill), der Antrag (motion, proposal), der Vorschlag (proposal, suggestion)
Antonyms (Opposites):
- For Template/Pattern: die Kopie (copy), die Nachbildung (replica), das Unikat (unique item - as opposed to standard)
- For Original/Draft: die Kopie (copy), die Abschrift (transcript, copy), das Plagiat (plagiarism)
- For Assist (Sports): der Alleingang (solo run), der Sololauf (solo run), der Fehlpass (bad pass - indirectly)
🚨 Caution: Words like 'Modell' (model) or 'Beispiel' (example) can be synonyms depending on the context, but often have other distinct meanings.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Fußballer die Vorlage verpasst?
Er dachte, es wäre eine Vorlesung und hat sich Notizen gemacht!
(Why did the football player miss the assist (Vorlage)?
He thought it was a lecture (Vorlesung) and took notes!)
✍️ Poem about 'die Vorlage'
Die Vorlage liegt bereit,
Für Dokument und Kleid.
Im Sport, ein Pass geschwind,
Der schnell zum Tore find'.
Mal Muster, mal Entwurf,
Mal schneller, leichter Wurf.
Sie legt den Grundstein klar,
Macht vieles planbar, wunderbar.
(The template lies ready,
For document and dress, steady.
In sports, a pass so swift,
That quickly finds the goal's gift.
Sometimes pattern, sometimes draft,
Sometimes a quicker, lighter craft.
It lays the foundation clear,
Makes much plannable, wonderfully dear.)
❓ Riddle
Ich bin ein Muster, oft digital,
Ich helf' im Sport beim Siegermahl.
Ich bin ein Plan, bevor er gilt,
Ein Original auf einem Schild.
Was bin ich?
(Auflösung: die Vorlage)
(I am a pattern, often digital,
I help in sports at the winner's meal.
I am a plan, before it's valid,
An original on a sign or shield.
What am I?
Answer: die Vorlage)
➕ More Information
Word Composition: The word Vorlage is composed of the prefix vor- (meaning 'forward', 'before', 'in front') and the noun die Lage (position, situation). It originally describes something 'placed before' something or someone.
Cultural Aspects: In the German work environment, Vorlagen (templates) are very common to ensure uniformity and efficiency (e.g., according to DIN 5008 for business letters).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Vorlage?
The correct article for Vorlage is die. It is a feminine noun. Remember: die Vorlage, plural: die Vorlagen.
