German Clothing Words
German clothing vocabulary is practical, logical, and sometimes wonderfully literal. Where English says "gloves," German says "hand shoes." Where English says "tie," German says "neck tie." This guide covers all the essential clothing words with their genders, pronunciations, and the compound-word logic that makes German vocabulary so memorable.
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Everyday Clothing — Alltagskleidung
Every German noun has a gender, shown by the article: der (masculine), die (feminine), or das (neuter). Learning the article with the word is essential for correct grammar.
"Der Rock" means skirt in German — not rock music. This is a common false friend. The German word for rock music is die Rockmusik or simply der Rock in a music context, so context matters.
Outerwear — Oberkleidung
German winters are cold, so outerwear vocabulary is vital. Notice how many words are compound nouns built from simpler words.
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Accessories & Footwear — Accessoires und Schuhe
German compound words shine in this category. Handschuhe (hand + shoes = gloves) is the most famous example, but there are more delightful combinations.
German loves compound words for clothing. Turnschuhe (gym + shoes = sneakers), Regenmantel (rain + coat = raincoat), and Badeanzug (bath + suit = swimsuit) all follow this pattern. Once you learn the building blocks, you can decode new words easily.
Shopping Phrases in German
These phrases will help you in any German clothing store:
- Haben Sie das in Größe M? — Do you have this in size M?
- Kann ich das anprobieren? — Can I try this on?
- Wo ist die Umkleidekabine? — Where is the fitting room?
- Das passt gut / nicht — It fits well / does not fit
- Das ist im Angebot — That is on sale
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say "clothes" in German?
The word is die Kleidung (dee KLAI-doong), a feminine singular noun. You can also say die Klamotten (dee klah-MOT-en) in casual speech, which is slang for "clothes" or "stuff."
Do all German clothing words have genders?
Yes. Every German noun has one of three genders: masculine (der), feminine (die), or neuter (das). For example, das Hemd (shirt) is neuter, die Hose (pants) is feminine, and der Rock (skirt) is masculine. You must memorize the gender with each word.
Why is "Handschuhe" the word for gloves?
The German word Handschuhe literally means "hand shoes" — Hand (hand) + Schuhe (shoes). German is famous for creating compound words that describe items literally. Similarly, Handtasche (hand bag) is a purse.
How do you say "to wear" in German?
The verb is tragen (TRAH-gen), which also means "to carry." For example, "Ich trage ein Hemd" means "I am wearing a shirt." To say "to put on," use anziehen (AHN-tsee-en).
Is "Hose" singular or plural in German?
Die Hose is singular in German, unlike English "pants" which is always plural. The German plural is die Hosen. This catches many English speakers off guard.