21 December 2025
How to Say Suitcase in German: der Koffer (with Examples)
Whether you’re heading to Berlin for a weekend or just imagining your next big trip, knowing how to say suitcase in German is more than just travel vocab. Der Koffer packs a punch in all kinds of real-life situations - and not just at the airport.
The German word for suitcase is Koffer - pronounced /ˈkɔfɐ/: stress the first syllable, use a short open o, and let the unstressed -er end with a weak vowel rather than English “her.” It’s short, strong, and unmistakably practical.
Koffer is a masculine noun: der Koffer. The plural is die Koffer. The noun is unchanged in nominative and accusative, but dative plural adds -n: mit den Koffern (with the suitcases). If you’re unsure about when to use der or die, my gender lesson gives you a clear and speedy system to remember.
It’s no wonder Koffer is one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German. From packing to losing your luggage at the airport, this word carries more than just socks.
Quick Case Examples:
Nominative:Der Koffer ist schwer.The suitcase is heavy.
Accusative:Ich packe den Koffer.I’m packing the suitcase.
Dative:Im Koffer sind meine Bücher.My books are in the suitcase.
Genitive:Der Griff des Koffers ist kaputt.The handle of the suitcase is broken.
Real-World Tips for Learners
You’ll hear Koffer most often in travel and logistics settings - airports, train stations, and taxis. But it also shows up in compound nouns like Kofferraum (trunk of a car), Werkzeugkoffer (tool case), or Aktenkoffer (briefcase).
When Germans say Ich habe meinen Koffer verloren, they don’t just mean the bag is gone - they mean they’re about to file a missing-luggage report and wait three weeks. It’s a deeply felt word.
Beginner Dialogue with Koffer
A: Ist das dein Koffer da drüben?B: Nein, meiner ist kleiner und hat Rollen.A: Is that your suitcase over there?B: No, mine is smaller and has wheels.
Practice Prompt
Say your answer aloud in German, and make sure to use Koffer in your sentence.
“Was packst du in deinen Koffer, wenn du verreist?”What do you pack in your suitcase when you travel?
Think it through - socks, books, hope? Say it in German, even if it’s short.
Duden entry for “Koffer”:https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Koffer
German Word of the DayNow you know how to say suitcase in German - and how der Koffer can roll, rattle, or even get lost, just like in real life.
For a full set of everyday German nouns, grab our free illustrated PDF of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German and learn the words that carry the most weight.
Ready for more German Words of the Day?Explore Kollege - for language around coworkers and connections.Or revisit Kohle - where energy meets slang.
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