der Teddy
teddy bear
A toy in the shape of a bear, made of plush or another soft fabric. Short form of Teddybär.
EXAMPLE
Das kleine Kind schlief mit seinem Teddy im Arm ein.
The small child fell asleep with his teddy bear in his arms.
der Teddy
teddy / teddy bear
der Teddy, die Teddys
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Meanings
der Teddy
teddy
A one-piece item of women's lingerie that combines a camisole-like top and panties.
EXAMPLE
Für den besonderen Anlass kaufte sie sich einen eleganten Teddy aus Seide.
For the special occasion, she bought herself an elegant silk teddy.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Teddy, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Teddys |
| genitive | des Teddys |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Teddy | die Teddys |
| accusative | den Teddy | die Teddys |
| dative | dem Teddy | den Teddys |
| genitive | des Teddys | der Teddys |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Context clue
Whether the toy or the lingerie is meant is always clear from the context. If the sentence is about children, playing, or sleeping, the bear is meant. If it is about fashion, clothing, or underwear, the lingerie item is meant.
EXAMPLE
Mein Neffe kann ohne seinen Teddy nicht einschlafen.
My nephew can't fall asleep without his teddy bear.
Im Schaufenster war ein schöner Teddy aus Spitze zu sehen.
A beautiful lace teddy was on display in the shop window.
Word form and origin
'Teddy' is the common short form of 'Teddybär' (teddy bear). The name goes back to U.S. President Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt, who refused to shoot a tied-up bear while hunting.
EXAMPLE
Fast jedes Kind in Deutschland hat einen Teddybären.
Almost every child in Germany has a teddy bear.
Typical collocations
When referring to the toy, 'Teddy' (teddy bear) is often used with verbs like 'kuscheln' (to cuddle), 'drücken' (to squeeze/hug), or 'im Arm halten' (to hold in one's arms), and adjectives like 'weich' (soft) and 'flauschig' (fluffy).
EXAMPLE
Sie drückte ihren flauschigen Teddy ganz fest.
She hugged her fluffy teddy bear very tightly.
Compare with
Teddy vs Body
bodysuit / body
A Body and a Teddy are one-piece garments for women. A Body fits closely around the upper body and is usually fastened at the crotch. A Teddy is more specific: it is a piece of women's lingerie that combines a camisole with panties.
Teddy
Als einteiliges Wäschestück trägt sie einen Teddy aus Hemdchen und Slip.
As a one-piece lingerie garment, she wears a teddy that combines a camisole with panties.
Body
Unter der engen Bluse trägt sie einen Body, der im Schritt geschlossen wird.
She wears a bodysuit under the tight blouse, fastened at the crotch.
In real life
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