die Aktentasche
briefcase
A usually flat, rectangular bag used to carry files, documents, and other things for work.
EXAMPLE
Mit einer Aktentasche unter dem Arm eilte er ins Büro.
With a briefcase under his arm, he hurried into the office.
die Aktentasche
briefcase
die Aktentasche, die Aktentaschen
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Aktentasche, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Aktentaschen |
| genitive | der Aktentasche |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Aktentasche | die Aktentaschen |
| accusative | die Aktentasche | die Aktentaschen |
| dative | der Aktentasche | den Aktentaschen |
| genitive | der Aktentasche | der Aktentaschen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Compound word
'Aktentasche' (briefcase) is made up of 'Akten' (files) and 'Tasche' (bag). The first component indicates that the bag was originally intended mainly for files and important papers.
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Tisch neben der Tür steht eine schwarze Aktentasche.
There is a black briefcase on the table next to the door.
Typical collocations
'Aktentasche' (briefcase) is often used with verbs such as 'tragen' (to carry), 'öffnen' (to open), 'packen' (to pack), 'abstellen' (to put down), and 'mitnehmen' (to take along). Typical contents include papers, documents, files, and a laptop.
EXAMPLE
Vor dem Termin packte er die wichtigsten Dokumente in seine Aktentasche.
Before the appointment, he packed the most important documents into his briefcase.
Location expressions
When describing movement into the briefcase, 'in' (into) takes the accusative; when describing a location inside the briefcase, it takes the dative. For example, you say 'etwas in die Aktentasche legen' (to put something into the briefcase), but 'etwas in der Aktentasche finden' (to find something in the briefcase).
EXAMPLE
Sie legte den Vertrag in die Aktentasche.
She put the contract into the briefcase.
Später fand sie den Vertrag in der Aktentasche.
Later, she found the contract in the briefcase.
In real life
Loading video examples...