das Mäppchen
pencil case
A small case or bag used especially for storing writing utensils.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe mein Mäppchen mit Bleistiften und Radiergummis zu Hause vergessen.
I forgot my pencil case with pencils and erasers at home.
das Mäppchen
pencil case
das Mäppchen, die Mäppchen
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Mäppchen, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Mäppchen |
| genitive | des Mäppchens |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Mäppchen | die Mäppchen |
| accusative | das Mäppchen | die Mäppchen |
| dative | dem Mäppchen | den Mäppchen |
| genitive | des Mäppchens | der Mäppchen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Mäppchen' is the diminutive form of 'Mappe' (folder or case): the stem vowel changes to 'ä', and the ending '-chen' indicates something small. This ending is also used in other diminutive forms.
EXAMPLE
Das kleine Mäppchen passt problemlos in meinen Rucksack.
The small pencil case fits easily in my backpack.
Typical collocations
'Mäppchen' is often used with verbs such as 'packen' (to pack), 'öffnen' (to open), 'schließen' (to close), and 'vergessen' (to forget). Typical contents include pens, pencils, and erasers.
EXAMPLE
Vor dem Unterricht packt Leon sein Mäppchen aus.
Before class, Leon takes his pencil case out.
School context
'Mäppchen' occurs especially often in connection with school and classes. In this context, people often talk about having something 'im Mäppchen' (in the pencil case) or taking something 'aus dem Mäppchen' (out of the pencil case).
EXAMPLE
Für die Prüfung nahm sie nur ihr Mäppchen mit in den Raum.
She brought only her pencil case into the room for the exam.
In real life
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