German word

Ding

Pronunciation

IPA/dɪŋ/

Meaning

  • neuter nounthing

Example

Ich habe ein Ding gekauft.

I bought something.

Illustration for Ding (thing)

More examples

Ich finde das Ding nicht.

I can't find the thing.

Core concept

A concrete object or an abstract issue held in focus as one unit.

Common phrases

  • ein altes Ding

    an old thing

  • ein Ding verlieren

    lose a thing

  • das Ding finden

    find the thing

Similar words

Sache: A visible object or item referred to in everyday speech.
Zeug: Various objects or a whole set of things referred to in a rough, colloquial way.
Gegenstand: A tangible, physical object or item.

Definition in German

Ein allgemeiner Begriff für einen konkreten Gegenstand oder eine abstrakte Angelegenheit; kann als Objekt oder Thema gemeint sein.

Word origin

Ding descends from Old High German ding and Proto-Germanic *þingą, which referred to an assembly or a matter under discussion; English thing is related.

Usage tips

  • Ding is often a colloquial placeholder when a more specific noun is unknown or omitted, while Sache is often more neutral for a matter.

Other meanings

  • matternoun
  • itemnoun

Word lists with this word