01
der Kleiderschrank
wardrobe
A tall piece of furniture with doors used for storing clothing.
example
Ich habe meine Winterjacken in den hinteren Teil des Kleiderschranks gehängt.
I hung my winter jackets in the back part of the wardrobe.
der Kleiderschrank
wardrobe
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Compound word
'Kleiderschrank' (wardrobe) is an easy-to-understand compound word. It consists of 'Kleider' (plural of 'das Kleid' (dress), but here meaning clothing in general) and 'der Schrank' (cabinet/closet). So it is literally a cupboard for clothes.
EXAMPLE
Alle meine Hemden hängen im Kleiderschrank.
All my shirts are hanging in the wardrobe.
Context clue
Whether the piece of furniture (m01) or the clothing collection (m02) is meant can often be recognized from the verb. Verbs like 'öffnen' (to open), 'aufbauen' (to assemble), or 'etwas hineinlegen' (to put something inside) refer to the furniture. Verbs like 'ergänzen' (to add to), 'erneuern' (to renew/update), or 'aussortieren' (to sort out) refer to the clothing collection.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss meinen Kleiderschrank für den Winter um warme Pullover ergänzen.
I need to add warm sweaters to my wardrobe for the winter.
Typical collocations
When referring to the piece of furniture, typical verbs are 'einen Kleiderschrank aufbauen' (to assemble a wardrobe), 'etwas in den Kleiderschrank hängen/legen' (to hang/put something in the wardrobe), or 'den Kleiderschrank aufräumen' (to tidy up the wardrobe).
EXAMPLE
Am Wochenende will ich endlich meinen Kleiderschrank aufräumen.
This weekend I finally want to tidy up my wardrobe.
Compare with
Kleiderschrank vs Kleidung
clothing
'die Kleidung' and 'der Kleiderschrank' both have to do with clothes. 'Kleidung' directly means the things you wear. 'Kleiderschrank' first means the piece of furniture where these things are kept or hung. Sometimes it also means a person's whole collection of clothing, for example when you say: 'Mein Kleiderschrank ist voll.' (My wardrobe is full.) The words can be confusing because both contain 'Kleider'. In practical terms: what you wear is 'Kleidung'. Where you store it, or the selection of clothes you own, is the 'Kleiderschrank'.
Kleiderschrank
In meinem Kleiderschrank ist kein Platz mehr für die neue Jacke.
There is no more room in my wardrobe for the new jacket.
Kleidung
Im Winter kauft die Familie neue Kleidung für die Kinder.
In winter, the family buys new clothing for the children.
In real life
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