die  Weste

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈvɛstə/

🧥 What exactly is a 'Weste'?

The German word die Weste (feminine, article 'die') refers to a sleeveless garment worn on the upper body over other clothing (like a shirt or blouse). It's the German word for a vest or waistcoat. It can be part of a suit (Anzugweste), serve as a fashion accessory, or have functional purposes (e.g., Warnweste - safety vest, Rettungsweste - life vest, kugelsichere Weste - bulletproof vest).

There's only this one article for this word. No risk of mixing it up with other articles!

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: The Declension of 'die Weste'

The noun 'Weste' is feminine. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

• Er trug eine elegante Weste zu seinem Hemd. (He wore an elegant vest with his shirt.)
• Im Winter ziehe ich gerne eine warme Steppweste an. (In winter, I like to wear a warm quilted vest.)
• Die Bauarbeiter müssen auf der Baustelle Warnwesten tragen. (The construction workers must wear safety vests on the construction site.)
• Vergiss nicht deine Schwimmweste im Boot! (Don't forget your life vest in the boat!)

💡 How to Use 'Weste'?

The term 'Weste' is primarily used in the context of clothing.

• Formal: As part of a three-piece suit (Sakko - jacket, Hose - trousers, Weste - waistcoat). Example: Zur Hochzeit trug der Bräutigam eine feine Anzugweste. (For the wedding, the groom wore a fine suit vest.)
• Informal/Fashionable: As a fashion item over T-shirts, blouses, or sweaters. Example: Sie kombinierte eine Jeansjacke mit einer bunten Strickweste. (She combined a denim jacket with a colorful knitted vest.)
• Functional: Refers to vests with specific functions like protection or visibility. Example: Polizisten tragen oft kugelsichere Westen. (Police officers often wear bulletproof vests.) Schwimmer nutzen Rettungswesten. (Swimmers use life vests.)

Figuratively, the expression "eine weiße Weste haben" (to have a white vest) means to be innocent or have a clean record.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Weste'

Article 'die': Most clothing items ending in '-e' in German are feminine (die Hose - trousers, die Jacke - jacket, die Bluse - blouse...). So is die Weste! Think: She wears die Weste.

Meaning 'vest': Imagine feeling chilly from the West wind. You put on a Weste (vest) to keep your core warm. It's clothing for your torso.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Weste

🚨 Similar but Different Words

Be careful not to confuse 'die Weste' (vest, the garment) with 'der Westen' (the West, compass direction).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum tragen Skelette keine Westen?
Weil sie nichts haben, um sie auszufüllen! 😄

(Why don't skeletons wear vests?
Because they have no body to keep warm! (Or: ...nothing to fill them!))

📜 Poem about the Weste

Die Weste, kurz und ohne Arm,
hält Brust und Rücken wohlig warm.
Mal schick zum Anzug, elegant,
mal bunt und lässig, wohlbekannt.
Ob Warnschutz, oder modisch fein,
'ne Weste kann vielseitig sein!

(The vest, short and without an arm,
keeps chest and back nicely warm.
Sometimes chic with a suit, elegant,
sometimes colorful and casual, well-known.
Whether safety protection, or fashionably fine,
A vest can be versatile!)

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich habe Knöpfe, doch kein Hemd,
ich wärme dich, doch bin nicht fremd.
Ich habe Taschen, doch kein Geld,
und Arme hab ich nicht bestellt.

Was bin ich?
→ Die Weste

(I have buttons, but no shirt,
I keep you warm, but I'm not curt.
I have pockets, but no money held,
And arms I haven't ordered, I'm compelled.

What am I?
→ The vest (die Weste))

📌 Other Interesting Facts

The German word 'Weste' comes from the French word 'veste', which in turn derives from the Italian 'vesta' (garment, clothing). Interestingly, 'veste' in modern French usually means a jacket or blazer, while the sleeveless garment is called 'gilet'.