die Tasche
bag
A container made of flexible material with handles or straps for carrying objects, e.g. a handbag, shopping bag, or travel bag.
EXAMPLE
Sie kramte in ihrer Tasche nach dem Schlüssel.
She rummaged in her bag for the key.
die Tasche
bag / pocket
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Meanings
die Tasche
A small compartment sewn into a piece of clothing where you can keep small objects.
EXAMPLE
Er steckte die Hände lässig in die Hosentaschen.
He casually put his hands in his pants pockets.
tief in die Tasche greifen
to dig deep
To spend or have to pay a lot of money for something.
EXAMPLE
Für die Reparatur des Autos mussten wir tief in die Tasche greifen.
We had to dig deep for the car repair.
jemandem auf der Tasche liegen
to live off someone
To be a financial burden on someone; to be financially dependent on someone.
EXAMPLE
Solange er keine Arbeit findet, liegt er seinen Eltern auf der Tasche.
As long as he doesn't find work, he is living off his parents.
in die eigene Tasche wirtschaften
to line one's pockets
To enrich oneself personally in a dishonest or illegal way, usually at the expense of others or an organization.
EXAMPLE
Dem Geschäftsführer wurde vorgeworfen, in die eigene Tasche gewirtschaftet zu haben.
The managing director was accused of having lined his own pockets.
Usage tips
Common base word
'Tasche' (bag/pocket) is a very productive base word for many compounds. Depending on the first part of the word, the type of bag or pocket is specified more precisely, for example: 'Handtasche' (handbag), 'Hosentasche' (pants pocket), 'Jackentasche' (jacket pocket), or 'Einkaufstasche' (shopping bag).
EXAMPLE
Er hat sein Portemonnaie in der Jackentasche vergessen.
He forgot his wallet in his jacket pocket.
Literal vs. figurative
The word 'Tasche' (bag/pocket) is often used figuratively in idioms related to money. When verbs like 'greifen' (to reach), 'liegen' (to lie), or 'wirtschaften' (to manage/economize) appear in a financial context, a figurative meaning is usually intended.
EXAMPLE
Für das Luxusauto musste er tief in die Tasche greifen.
He had to dig deep for the luxury car.
Place and direction
Pay attention to the case with the preposition 'in'. 'In die Tasche' (into the bag/pocket, accusative) describes movement, while 'in der Tasche' (in the bag/pocket, dative) describes a location.
EXAMPLE
Ich stecke mein Handy in die Tasche.
I put my phone into the bag.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'tief in die Tasche greifen' (to dig deep) is fixed. The verb is 'greifen' (to reach), and the person who pays a lot is the subject of the sentence. The expression is often combined with 'müssen' (must/have to).
EXAMPLE
Wer ein Haus bauen will, muss tief in die Tasche greifen.
Anyone who wants to build a house has to dig deep.
Dative construction
In the expression 'jemandem auf der Tasche liegen' (to live off someone), the person who is financially burdened is in the dative. The subject is the person who costs the money.
EXAMPLE
Er ist schon 30 und liegt immer noch seinen Eltern auf der Tasche.
He is already 30 and is still living off his parents.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'in die eigene Tasche wirtschaften' (to line one's own pockets) is a fixed unit. The adjective 'eigene' (own) is adjusted to match the subject.
EXAMPLE
Man warf ihm vor, jahrelang in die eigene Tasche gewirtschaftet zu haben.
He was accused of having lined his own pockets for years.
Compare with
Tasche vs Tüte
wasted / high
Tasche and Tüte can both refer, depending on the region, to a container for shopping. Tasche is especially suitable for a sturdier, reusable container with handles, while Tüte is more commonly used for a thin plastic container. The exact word choice may vary by region.
Tasche
Für den Einkauf nimmt sie eine stabile Tasche mit, die sie jede Woche benutzt.
She brings a sturdy bag for her shopping, which she uses every week.
Tüte
An der Kasse legt sie den Einkauf in eine dünne Tüte aus Kunststoff.
At the checkout, she puts the groceries into a thin plastic bag.
In real life
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