01
der Hut
hat
A head covering that typically consists of a crown and a brim.
example
An sonnigen Tagen trägt er immer einen großen Strohhut.
On sunny days, he always wears a large straw hat.
der Hut
hat
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Meanings
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Usage tips
False friend
'Der Hut' means 'hat' in English. The English word 'hut' (a small, simple cabin) is 'die Hütte' in German. This is a common mix-up.
EXAMPLE
Bei diesem kalten Wetter brauchst du einen Hut und Handschuhe.
In this cold weather, you need a hat and gloves.
Word family
The word 'Hut' (hat) is related to the verbs 'hüten' and 'behüten' (to protect, to guard). This connection is still easy to recognize in the idiom 'auf der Hut sein' (to be on guard).
EXAMPLE
Ein Hirte hütet seine Schafe.
A shepherd tends his sheep.
Typical verbs
In connection with the head covering, typical verbs such as 'einen Hut tragen' (to wear a hat), 'einen Hut aufsetzen' (to put on a hat), and 'einen Hut abnehmen' (to take off a hat) are used.
EXAMPLE
Er setzte seinen Hut auf und verließ das Haus.
He put on his hat and left the house.
Sentence structure
The expression 'auf der Hut sein' (to be on guard) is often expanded with the preposition 'vor' and the dative to name the danger one should watch out for.
EXAMPLE
In dieser Stadt musst du vor Taschendieben auf der Hut sein.
In this city, you have to be on guard against pickpockets.
Structure of the expression
In the expression 'unter einen Hut bringen' (to juggle/reconcile), the things that need to be reconciled are the accusative object of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Sie versucht, ihre vielen Termine unter einen Hut zu bringen.
She is trying to juggle her many appointments.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'den Hut nehmen' means to give up a position or be dismissed. It is usually used with a possessive pronoun, e.g. 'er musste seinen Hut nehmen' (he had to step down).
EXAMPLE
Nach der Wahlniederlage musste der Parteivorsitzende seinen Hut nehmen.
After the election defeat, the party chairperson had to step down.
Structure of the expression
When showing respect for someone, you use the preposition 'vor' with the dative: 'vor jemandem den Hut ziehen' (to take one's hat off to someone).
EXAMPLE
Vor seiner Leistung kann man wirklich nur den Hut ziehen.
You really can only take your hat off to his achievement.
Register
The idiom 'etwas auf dem Hut haben' (to be responsible for something) is colloquial. It means to be responsible for a task or area.
EXAMPLE
Wer hat heute den Küchendienst auf dem Hut?
Who is responsible for kitchen duty today?
Compare with
Hut vs Helm
helmet
'der Hut' and 'der Helm' are both things you wear on your head. The most important difference is their purpose. A hat is usually clothing or fashion and may protect you from the sun or rain. A helmet is hard and is meant to protect the head from injuries, for example when cycling, riding a motorcycle, or on a construction site. Learners may confuse the words because both are head coverings. When safety is important, you say 'Helm'; for normal clothing, you are more likely to say 'Hut'.
Hut
Wegen der starken Sonne trägt Herr Hofmann heute einen Hut.
Because of the strong sun, Mr. Hofmann is wearing a hat today.
Helm
Nele setzt vor der Fahrradtour ihren Helm auf.
Nele puts on her helmet before the bike ride.
In real life
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