das Kleid
dress
A one-piece item of clothing for women and girls that covers the upper body and falls from the waist downward like a skirt.
EXAMPLE
Für die Hochzeit hat sie sich ein neues Kleid gekauft.
She bought a new dress for the wedding.
das Kleid
dress
das Kleid, die Kleider
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Meanings
das Kleid
garment / covering
In elevated or figurative language, the outer appearance or covering of something.
EXAMPLE
Im Herbst hüllt sich der Wald in ein buntes Kleid aus Blättern.
In autumn, the forest wraps itself in a colorful garment of leaves.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Kleid, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Kleider |
| genitive | des Kleides |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Kleid | die Kleider |
| accusative | das Kleid | die Kleider |
| dative | dem Kleid | den Kleidern |
| genitive | des Kleides des Kleids | der Kleider |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word family
The word 'Kleid' (dress) belongs to the word family around 'Kleidung' (clothing). The related verb is 'sich kleiden' (to dress oneself). This connection helps you understand the basic meaning.
EXAMPLE
Sie kleidet sich immer sehr elegant.
She always dresses very elegantly.
Typical compounds
There are special dresses for different occasions, which is reflected in many compound words. Common examples are 'Abendkleid' (evening dress), 'Sommerkleid' (summer dress), or 'Hochzeitskleid' (wedding dress).
EXAMPLE
Für den Sommerurlaub packe ich mehrere leichte Sommerkleider ein.
For the summer vacation, I’m packing several light summer dresses.
Figurative language
The figurative meaning of 'Kleid' (garment/covering) is used almost only in poetic or very descriptive language, often in connection with nature. Usually the preposition 'in' or the phrase 'ein Kleid aus ...' (a garment of ...) is used.
EXAMPLE
Im Winter trägt die Landschaft ein Kleid aus Schnee.
In winter, the landscape wears a garment of snow.
Compare with
Kleid vs Gewand
robe / garment
„Kleid“ and „Gewand“ can both refer to a long, one-piece item of clothing. „Kleid“ is the neutral everyday term, while „Gewand“ usually sounds ceremonial, historical, or literary. Use „Kleid“ for normal clothing and choose „Gewand“ when this special effect is intended.
Kleid
Für die Feier kaufte sie ein langes Kleid.
She bought a long dress for the celebration.
Gewand
Für das historische Fest trug sie ein langes Gewand.
She wore a long robe for the historical festival.
In real life
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