This page covers specific categories of clothing in German, including rules for singular and plural forms. It will help you accurately describe what you wear.
Overview of Clothing Types
Clothing types are specific categories of garments such as shirts, pants, dresses, and jackets. In German, each type has a gender (der, die, das) and a plural form. Knowing these rules helps you use the words correctly in sentences.
- Clothing types names change depending on their gender: masculine (der), feminine (die), or neuter (das).
- Plurals are formed in various ways, often by adding -e, -en, -er, or changing vowels (Umlaut).
- Some plurals add an ending (e.g., -n, -en), while others change the article only.
- Vocabulary is focused on singular and plural forms you will use most in conversation.
Which gender category in German clothing nouns usually has singular forms ending in -e and plurals ending in -n or -en?
Die (feminine)
Most feminine German nouns end with -e in singular and form plurals by adding -n or -en (e.g., die Bluse → die Blusen). This pattern is common in clothing vocabulary.
Clothing Types
This table shows common clothing types in German with their gender (article), singular form, plural form, and English translations.
| German Singular | German Plural | English Singular | English Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| das Hemd | die Hemden | shirt (men’s) | shirts (men’s) |
| die Bluse | die Blusen | blouse (women’s) | blouses (women’s) |
| die Hose | die Hosen | pants/trousers | pants/trousers |
| das Kleid | die Kleider | dress | dresses |
| der Rock | die Röcke | skirt | skirts |
| der Mantel | die Mäntel | coat | coats |
| die Jacke | die Jacken | jacket | jackets |
| der Anzug | die Anzüge | suit | suits |
| der Pullover | die Pullover | sweater | sweaters |
| das T-Shirt | die T-Shirts | T-shirt | T-shirts |
| die Jeans | die Jeans | jeans | jeans |
| die Shorts | die Shorts | shorts | shorts |
| die Schuhe | (plural only) | shoes | shoes |
| der Stiefel | die Stiefel | boot | boots |
| die Socke | die Socken | sock | socks |
Note: Some items like Schuhe are mainly used in the plural form.*
What is the correct plural of das Kleid (dress) in German?
die Kleider
Das Kleid takes the plural ending -er without vowel change, which is typical for many neuter nouns.
How do you form the plural of das T‑Shirt in German?
die T‑Shirts
As a loanword, das T‑Shirt takes the simple plural ending -s without any Umlaut or vowel change.
Patterns in Plural Formation for Clothing Types
German plural endings for clothing types vary. Here are the most common ones you’ll see in clothing vocabulary:
- -en: Most feminine nouns (e.g., die Bluse → die Blusen, die Socke → die Socken)
- -e: Common for many masculine and neuter nouns (der Rock → die Röcke, das Hemd → die Hemden)
- -er: Often with neuter nouns, sometimes with Umlaut (das Kleid → die Kleider, der Anzug → die Anzüge, der Mantel → die Mäntel)
- -s: Used for loanwords and some modern terms (T-Shirt → T-Shirts, Jeans → Jeans, Shorts → Shorts)
- No ending: Some plurals are identical to singular (der Pullover → die Pullover, der Stiefel → die Stiefel)
- Plural-only: Certain words exist mainly or only in plural form (die Schuhe, die Jeans)
Gender Rules for Clothing Types
Gender affects articles and sometimes plural formation. Most clothing nouns are feminine or masculine; fewer are neuter.
- Die (feminine): Usually -e endings in singular (die Bluse, die Hose, die Jacke, die Socke). Plural almost always -n or -en (Blusen, Hosen, Jacken, Socken).
- Der (masculine): Singular often ends in consonant (der Rock, der Mantel, der Pullover, der Anzug, der Stiefel). Plural usually -e, sometimes with Umlaut (Röcke, Mäntel, Anzüge), or no change (Pullover, Stiefel).
- Das (neuter): Singular usually simple form (das Hemd, das Kleid, das T-Shirt). Plural often -er with Umlaut (Kleider, Anzüge, Mäntel), or -s for loanwords (T-Shirts).
- Remember the plural article is always "die", regardless of singular gender.
Tips for Usage
- Always use the correct article in singular (der, die, das) and die in plural.
- Learn common plural rules, but memorize exceptions (e.g., der Pullover → die Pullover).
- Many clothing nouns come with fixed collocations, like eine Bluse anziehen (put on a blouse) or die Hose ausziehen (take off the pants).
- When counting or specifying, use plural form: Ich habe zwei T-Shirts. (I have two T-shirts.)
- Context will guide you to use singular or plural (singular for one item, plural for more or general statements).
Summary
- Clothing types are nouns with fixed genders: der (m), die (f), das (n).
- Plural forms vary: common endings are -en, -e, -er, -s, or no change.
- Feminine nouns usually form plural with -n or -en.
- Masculine nouns often take -e or Umlaut, but some have no plural ending.
- Neuter nouns may take -er + Umlaut or -s (especially for loanwords).
- Some clothing words exist primarily in plural form (e.g., Schuhe).
- Always use plural article die regardless of gender.
- Examples: die Bluse → die Blusen, der Rock → die Röcke, das Kleid → die Kleider, das T-Shirt → die T-Shirts.
Knowing these patterns will help you confidently talk about clothing in both singular and plural forms in German.
Flashcards (1 of 15)
- English Singular: shirt (men’s)
- English Plural: shirts (men’s)
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
