die /
der
Weiße
📖 What does "Weiße" mean?
The word Weiße is a nominalized adjective (from weiß, meaning white) and can have different meanings depending on the article and context:
die Weiße (feminine)
- 👱♀️ A female person with light skin colour. Attention ⚠️: This term can be perceived as insensitive or generalizing. More specific terms are often better.
- 🍷 A white wine or a white beer (especially Berliner Weiße). Example: "Ich hätte gern eine Weiße." (I'd like a white one. - Context determines the meaning, often wheat beer)
- 🧺 White laundry, whites. Example: "Heute wasche ich nur die Weiße." (Today I'm only washing the whites.)
der Weiße (masculine)
- 👱♂️ A male person with light skin colour. Attention ⚠️: Again, the term can be perceived as insensitive.
- 🍷 A white wine. Example: "Dieser Weiße schmeckt gut." (This white one tastes good. - Usually refers to wine)
🚨 The meaning often depends heavily on the context. Using it to refer to people should be done with caution.
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 Weiße in Detail
"Weiße" is a nominalized adjective. Its declension follows the rules for adjectives used after a definite article (der/die/das), indefinite article (ein/eine), or no article.
Declension "die Weiße" (feminine, e.g., person, laundry, wine/beer)
| Case | Singular (definite) | Singular (indefinite) | Plural (definite) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Weiße | eine Weiße | die Weißen |
| Genitive | der Weißen | einer Weißen | der Weißen |
| Dative | der Weißen | einer Weißen | den Weißen |
| Accusative | die Weiße | eine Weiße | die Weißen |
Declension "der Weiße" (masculine, e.g., person, wine)
| Case | Singular (definite) | Singular (indefinite) | Plural (definite) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der Weiße | ein Weißer | die Weißen |
| Genitive | des Weißen | eines Weißen | der Weißen |
| Dative | dem Weißen | einem Weißen | den Weißen |
| Accusative | den Weißen | einen Weißen | die Weißen |
Example Sentences
- die Weiße (person): Die Weiße trug einen roten Hut. (The white woman wore a red hat.)
- die Weiße (wine/beer): Möchtest du lieber eine Rote oder eine Weiße? (Would you prefer a red one or a white one? - Referring to wine or beer, depending on context)
- die Weiße (laundry): Die Weiße muss bei 60 Grad gewaschen werden. (The whites must be washed at 60 degrees.)
- der Weiße (person): Der Weiße sprach mit lauter Stimme. (The white man spoke in a loud voice.)
- der Weiße (wine): Probier mal diesen Weißen, er ist sehr trocken. (Try this white one, it's very dry.)
💡 How "Weiße" is Used
- Referring to people: As mentioned, using "der/die Weiße" to describe people should be handled with care (⚠️). It can be perceived as outdated or stereotypical. In many contexts, terms like "Person mit heller Hautfarbe" (person with light skin colour) or more specific origins are more neutral. However, the term is used historically and in certain sociological discussions.
- Wine/Beer: In the context of beverages, "der Weiße" (usually white wine) or "die Weiße" (white wine or white beer, e.g., Berliner Weiße) is common and unproblematic. It's a short form for Weißwein or Weißbier. Alternatives: Weißwein, Weißbier, Weizenbier.
- Laundry: "Die Weiße" as a short form for Weißwäsche (white laundry) or Kochwäsche (boil wash) is common in everyday language. Alternative: Weißwäsche, Kochwäsche.
Context is key to avoiding misunderstandings. If someone orders "eine Weiße", they likely mean a drink, not a person.
🧠 Mnemonics for "Weiße"
For the articles/meanings: 'Die' for the lady (die Weiße), the laundry (die Weiße), and the specific beer 'die Weiße' (Berliner Weiße) - think 'die' looks like 'she' or sounds feminine. 'Der' for the gentleman (der Weiße) and the general white wine (der Weiße) - think 'der' sounds harder, more masculine.
For the general meaning: Think of the colour white (weiß) – whether it's skin, wine, beer, or a T-shirt – it can all be referred to as "Weiße"!
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- die Weiße (person): Hellhäutige (light-skinned woman), Europäerin (European woman - depending on context, often inaccurate)
- der Weiße (person): Hellhäutiger (light-skinned man), Europäer (European man - context-dependent, often inaccurate)
- die Weiße (drink): Weißwein (white wine), Weißbier (white beer), Weizen (wheat beer)
- der Weiße (drink): Weißwein (white wine)
- die Weiße (laundry): Weißwäsche (white laundry), Kochwäsche (boil wash, whites)
Similar, potentially confusing words:
😄 A Little Joke
DE: Kellner: "Möchten Sie einen Roten oder einen Weißen?" Gast: "Ist mir egal, ich bin farbenblind!"
EN: Waiter: "Would you like a red one or a white one?" Guest: "I don't care, I'm colorblind!"
📜 Little Poem
DE:
Ob Wein, ob Bier, so kühl und klar,
die Weiße schmeckt wunderbar.
Auch Wäsche, rein und strahlend rein,
nennt man oft die Weiße, fein.
Der Herr als der Weiße, der Wein ebenso,
Weiße macht das Leben froh!
EN:
Be it wine or beer, so cool and clear,
'die Weiße' tastes wonderfully here.
Also laundry, pure and shining bright,
is often called 'die Weiße', what a sight.
The man as 'der Weiße', the wine just the same,
'Weiße' brings joy to life's game!
🤔 Little Riddle
DE:
Ich kann getrunken werden, bin oft kühl und klar,
Manchmal bin ich Wein, manchmal Bier sogar.
Ich kann auch Kleidung sein, die hell erstrahlt nach der Tour.
Was bin ich, mal männlich (der), mal weiblich (die) von Natur?
Lösung: der/die Weiße
EN:
I can be drunk, I'm often cool and clear,
Sometimes I'm wine, sometimes even beer.
I can also be clothes, shining brightly after the chore.
What am I, sometimes masculine (der), sometimes feminine (die) by nature's law?
Solution: der/die Weiße
✨ Other Interesting Facts
- Etymology: "Weiße" derives directly from the adjective "weiß" (white), from Old High German '(h)wīz'. Nominalization allows referring to things or people possessing this quality.
- Cultural Connotations: The color white has many symbolic meanings (purity, innocence, peace, but also emptiness or surrender), which can resonate depending on the context, especially with laundry or historically with people.
- Berliner Weiße: A specific type of sour wheat beer from Berlin, often drunk with syrup (red or green). Here, "die Weiße" is a fixed term.
📝 Summary: is it der or die Weiße?
"Weiße" is a nominalized adjective. Use die Weiße for a female person (⚠️ sensitive), white wine/beer, or white laundry. Use der Weiße for a male person (⚠️ sensitive) or white wine. Context determines the meaning.