A coat is a warm piece of clothing. You wear it over your other clothes, often outside, when it's cold or wet. It has long sleeves. A coat is usually longer than a jacket, sometimes reaching your knees. It helps to keep you warm and dry.
A coat is an outer garment designed for warmth or protection from the elements, commonly worn over indoor clothing. Distinguished from a jacket by its typical length, often extending to the mid-thigh or knees, it serves as a primary barrier against cold or rain.
Historically, coats have also signified social status or professional affiliation, evolving into a diverse category with various styles and functionalities. Modern coats are crafted from an array of materials, from wool and down for insulation to waterproof fabrics for adverse weather, embodying both practical utility and fashion.
A coat, at the C1 CEFR level, signifies a multifaceted garment whose utility extends beyond mere thermal insulation or rain protection. While its primary function remains to shield the wearer from elemental exposure, particularly cold or precipitation, its design, material, and cut often convey significant social, professional, or aesthetic implications. The distinction between a coat and a jacket, though often conflated at lower CEFR levels, becomes more pronounced here, with coats typically characterized by greater length, formality, and a more robust construction. Thus, the selection and wearing of a coat can subtly communicate status, adherence to sartorial norms, or personal style within diverse social contexts.
A coat, as a noun at CEFR A1, refers to an outer garment characterized by its long sleeves and its primary function of providing warmth or protection from the elements. Typically worn outdoors, it distinguishes itself from a jacket by its extended length, often reaching the mid-thigh or even the knees.
coat in 30 Sekunden
- Outerwear for warmth/protection.
- Longer than a jacket.
- Often reaches mid-thigh or knees.
§ Understanding the Word "Coat"
The word "coat" is a common and versatile English word. It's often one of the first clothing items new English learners encounter, falling into the CEFR A1 category, which means it's considered a beginner-level word. You'll hear "coat" in many everyday situations, from talking about the weather to discussing fashion. Let's explore its primary definition, look at some examples, and understand where you might typically encounter this word in real life.
- DEFINITION
- A piece of clothing with long sleeves that is worn over other clothes to keep warm or dry. It is typically worn outdoors and is generally longer than a jacket, often reaching the mid-thigh or knees.
This definition highlights the main purpose of a coat: protection from cold or wet weather. It also differentiates it from a jacket by mentioning its length, which is a key characteristic. Think about the last time you stepped outside on a chilly day; you probably reached for a coat!
She put on her warm winter coat before going out into the snow.
Don't forget your rain coat; it looks like it might rain today.
He hung his coat on the hook by the door when he came inside.
§ Where You'll Hear "Coat"
The word "coat" is part of everyday vocabulary and you'll encounter it in various settings. Here's where it's most common:
- At Home and in Daily Conversations: This is perhaps the most frequent place you'll hear "coat." Family members might tell each other, "Grab your coat, it's cold outside!" or "Did you hang up your coat?" When getting ready to leave the house, the topic of coats often comes up naturally.
- At School: Children and students often talk about their coats, especially during colder months. Teachers might remind students to put on their coats before going out for recess, or you might hear students discussing the style or color of their classmates' coats. Lost and found areas in schools often have many coats.
- At Work: Depending on the type of work, you might hear "coat" in a professional context. For example, in an office, someone might say, "I'm just grabbing my coat and heading out." In professions that require specific uniforms, like doctors wearing lab coats or chefs wearing chef's coats, the word takes on a more specialized meaning, but it still refers to a protective outer garment.
- In Shops and While Shopping: When you're buying clothes, you'll definitely hear and see the word "coat." Sales assistants might ask, "Are you looking for a winter coat or a lighter one?" or you'll see signs in stores advertising "New arrivals: coats and jackets."
- In News and Weather Reports: When the weather turns cold, news anchors and meteorologists will often advise viewers to "wear a heavy coat" or comment on the need for "warm coats" as part of their forecasts. This is a common way to communicate practical advice about dressing for the weather.
- In Literature and Media: From children's books to adult novels, characters frequently interact with coats. They put them on, take them off, or use them to bundle up. In movies and TV shows, you'll see characters wearing various types of coats depending on the setting and season, and the dialogue will often reflect this.
As you can see, "coat" is deeply embedded in the English language and is used across a wide range of situations. Its simple meaning and common usage make it an essential word for anyone learning English to master.
Schwierigkeitsgrad
The definition uses simple and common vocabulary, making it easy to read for an A1 learner. The sentence structure is straightforward.
The word 'coat' is a simple, high-frequency noun. A1 learners can easily use it in basic sentences to describe clothing or weather.
The pronunciation of 'coat' is regular and follows common English phonetic patterns (long 'o' sound). It's a single syllable word, making it easy to articulate.
The word 'coat' is commonly heard in everyday English. Its clear pronunciation and distinct sounds make it easy to identify in spoken language for A1 learners.
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Fortgeschritten
Beispiele nach Niveau
She put on her coat because it was cold outside.
Ella se puso su abrigo porque hacía frío afuera.
Simple past tense for 'put on'.
My coat is red.
Mi abrigo es rojo.
Simple present tense with 'is'.
He has a new coat.
Él tiene un abrigo nuevo.
Simple present tense for 'has'.
Take off your coat when you come inside.
Quítate el abrigo cuando entres.
Imperative verb 'take off'.
The coat is very warm.
El abrigo es muy cálido.
Simple present tense with 'is'.
Where is my coat?
¿Dónde está mi abrigo?
Interrogative sentence.
I need a coat for the rain.
Necesito un abrigo para la lluvia.
Simple present tense for 'need'.
This is a big coat.
Este es un abrigo grande.
Simple present tense with 'is' and adjective order.
The diplomat, impeccably dressed, shrugged into his cashmere coat before stepping out into the biting winter air, a gesture of practiced elegance.
Diplomat, dressed perfectly, put on his cashmere coat before going out into the cold winter air, a sign of practiced elegance.
Here, 'shrugged into' is a phrasal verb meaning to put on a piece of clothing quickly or carelessly, but in this context, it suggests a smooth, accustomed movement. The use of 'biting' describes the intense cold.
Despite the prevailing notion that success was easily attainable, she found herself navigating a labyrinth of challenges, her resilience serving as an impenetrable coat against adversity.
Even though it seemed success was easy, she faced many challenges, and her strength protected her like a strong coat against difficulties.
This sentence uses 'coat' metaphorically to represent protection or a defensive layer. 'Prevailing notion' refers to a commonly held belief, and 'labyrinth of challenges' suggests a complex and difficult situation.
The artist, known for his unconventional approach, applied a thick, impasto coat of paint to the canvas, creating a tactile surface that invited closer inspection.
The artist, famous for his unusual style, put a thick layer of paint on the canvas, making a textured surface that made people want to look closer.
In this context, 'coat' refers to a layer of paint. 'Impasto' is an artistic technique where paint is laid on thickly, and 'tactile surface' refers to a surface that can be perceived by touch.
He possessed an innate ability to discern the subtle nuances of human behavior, allowing him to effortlessly shed the superficial coat of pleasantries and grasp the underlying motives.
He had a natural ability to see small differences in how people act, which allowed him to easily get past polite talk and understand what people really wanted.
Here, 'coat' is used metaphorically to describe a superficial layer, like a disguise or outward appearance. 'Discern the subtle nuances' means to perceive fine distinctions, and 'superficial pleasantries' refers to polite but insincere conversation.
The clandestine meeting took place in a secluded alley, the conspirators cloaked in long, dark coats that rendered them virtually indistinguishable from the shadows.
The secret meeting happened in a hidden alley, with the plotters wearing long, dark coats that made them almost impossible to tell apart from the shadows.
'Cloaked in' means covered or concealed by something, in this case, the coats. 'Clandestine' refers to something done secretly, and 'rendered them virtually indistinguishable' means made them almost impossible to tell apart.
To truly appreciate the intricate craftsmanship of the antique furniture, one must first remove the accumulated coat of dust and grime that has settled over decades.
To really see the detailed work of the old furniture, you must first clean off the layers of dust and dirt that have built up over many years.
Here, 'coat' refers to a layer of dust and grime. 'Intricate craftsmanship' describes very detailed and skillful work, and 'accumulated' means gathered or collected over time.
The esteemed professor, known for his acerbic wit, often sported a tweed coat with leather elbow patches, an sartorial choice that subtly underscored his academic disposition.
The respected professor, known for his sharp humor, often wore a tweed coat with leather elbow patches, a clothing choice that subtly emphasized his academic nature.
'Acerbic wit' refers to sharp, critical humor. 'Sported' means wore or displayed, and 'sartorial choice' refers to a choice of clothing. 'Underscored his academic disposition' means highlighted his scholarly character.
As the formidable storm approached, the towering peaks of the mountains acquired a fresh, glistening coat of snow, transforming the landscape into a breathtaking winter tableau.
As the big storm came, the tall mountain tops got a new, shiny layer of snow, changing the scenery into a stunning winter picture.
In this sentence, 'coat' refers to a layer of snow. 'Formidable storm' describes a very powerful storm, and 'breathtaking winter tableau' refers to a stunning winter scene.
The diplomat, ever the sartorial connoisseur, chose a bespoke overcoat, its cashmere exquisitely tailored, to brave the biting Moscow winter, a testament to his discerning taste and preparedness for the elements.
sartorial connoisseur: a person with expert knowledge of how to dress; bespoke overcoat: a custom-made coat; cashmere: a fine, soft wool; exquisitely tailored: perfectly made to fit; biting Moscow winter: very cold winter in Moscow; testament to his discerning taste: shows his sophisticated preferences; preparedness for the elements: ready for the weather conditions.
This sentence uses several advanced vocabulary items (sartorial connoisseur, bespoke, exquisitely tailored, discerning taste) and complex sentence structures (multiple clauses, descriptive phrases) typical of C2 level English.
She recounted, with palpable ennui, how the antiquated municipal regulations mandated the procurement of a cumbersome, government-issue rain 'coat' for all civil servants, a sartorial indignity she found utterly insufferable.
palpable ennui: obvious boredom; antiquated municipal regulations: old local laws; mandated the procurement: required buying; cumbersome: awkward to wear; government-issue: provided by the government; sartorial indignity: an embarrassing clothing item; utterly insufferable: completely unbearable.
The sentence employs abstract nouns (ennui, indignity), sophisticated adjectives (antiquated, cumbersome, insufferable), and a complex narrative structure to convey a nuanced meaning, characteristic of C2.
His laconic reply, delivered whilst he meticulously brushed a stray thread from the lapel of his impeccably tailored frock coat, betrayed a profound indifference to the unfolding geopolitical crisis, a disinterest that struck his interlocutors as remarkably incongruous.
laconic reply: brief and to the point answer; meticulously brushed: carefully cleaned; stray thread: loose piece of fiber; lapel: folded part on the front of a coat; impeccably tailored: perfectly made; frock coat: a formal coat; betrayed a profound indifference: showed a deep lack of concern; unfolding geopolitical crisis: developing international political problem; disinterest: lack of interest; struck his interlocutors as remarkably incongruous: seemed very odd to the people he was talking to.
This example showcases advanced vocabulary (laconic, meticulously, impeccably, betrayed, profound, incongruous) and a sophisticated use of participial phrases ('delivered whilst he meticulously brushed...') for conciseness and descriptive power, typical of C2 writing.
The investigative journalist, donning a nondescript trench coat to blend seamlessly into the bustling urban milieu, surreptitiously documented the clandestine rendezvous of the shadowy operatives, his keen observational skills a formidable asset in his perilous pursuit of truth.
donning a nondescript trench coat: putting on a plain, unremarkable long coat; blend seamlessly: mix in perfectly; bustling urban milieu: busy city environment; surreptitiously documented: secretly recorded; clandestine rendezvous: secret meeting; shadowy operatives: mysterious agents; keen observational skills: sharp ability to notice things; formidable asset: a great advantage; perilous pursuit of truth: dangerous search for facts.
The sentence features a rich vocabulary (nondescript, seamlessly, milieu, surreptitiously, clandestine, operatives, formidable, perilous) and complex prepositional phrases, demonstrating a high level of linguistic control.
Despite the prevailing sartorial dictates of the era, she defiantly eschewed the ubiquitous fur coat, opting instead for a meticulously hand-embroidered velvet cape, a singular sartorial statement that underscored her unwavering commitment to ethical consumerism.
prevailing sartorial dictates: dominant fashion rules; defiantly eschewed: boldly avoided; ubiquitous fur coat: very common fur coat; opting instead for: choosing in preference to; meticulously hand-embroidered: carefully decorated by hand; velvet cape: a cloak made of velvet; singular sartorial statement: unique fashion declaration; underscored her unwavering commitment: highlighted her firm dedication; ethical consumerism: buying products that are produced responsibly.
This example utilizes sophisticated vocabulary (prevailing, sartorial dictates, eschewed, ubiquitous, meticulously, singular, underscored, unwavering) and a complex sentence structure with embedded clauses, suitable for C2.
He possessed an extensive collection of exquisitely preserved antique military coats, each a poignant relic replete with untold narratives of valor and sacrifice, meticulously cataloged and displayed as if in a private museum, a testament to his fervent historical scholarship.
exquisitely preserved: perfectly kept; antique military coats: old army coats; poignant relic: touching object from the past; replete with untold narratives: full of unrevealed stories; valor and sacrifice: bravery and giving up something for a cause; meticulously cataloged: carefully organized and listed; fervent historical scholarship: passionate study of history.
The sentence employs highly descriptive adjectives (exquisitely, poignant, replete, untold, fervent) and sophisticated parallel structures ('narratives of valor and sacrifice'), along with advanced vocabulary, indicating a C2 level.
The eminent lepidopterist, cloaked in a voluminous, weather-beaten laboratory 'coat' that bore the indelible stains of countless scientific endeavors, meticulously examined the iridescent wings of a newly discovered species, his scholarly gravitas palpable.
eminent lepidopterist: famous expert on butterflies and moths; cloaked in a voluminous: covered in a large; weather-beaten: worn by exposure to weather; indelible stains: permanent marks; countless scientific endeavors: numerous scientific efforts; meticulously examined: carefully looked at; iridescent wings: wings that shimmer with different colors; scholarly gravitas: serious academic dignity; palpable: easily felt or seen.
This example features highly specialized vocabulary (lepidopterist, voluminous, indelible, endeavors, iridescent, gravitas) and a complex sentence structure with a descriptive participial phrase ('cloaked in a voluminous...') typical of C2 writing.
Her enigmatic smile, glimpsed momentarily from beneath the wide brim of her voluminous, dark 'coat', hinted at an inscrutable past, a life lived in shadows and intrigue, prompting persistent, albeit unconfirmed, whispers of espionage and clandestine operations.
enigmatic smile: mysterious smile; glimpsed momentarily: seen for a brief moment; wide brim: broad edge of a hat; voluminous, dark coat: large, dark coat; hinted at an inscrutable past: suggested a mysterious history; life lived in shadows and intrigue: a life full of secrets and mysterious activities; prompting persistent, albeit unconfirmed, whispers: causing continuous, though not proven, rumors; espionage: spying; clandestine operations: secret activities.
The sentence uses advanced vocabulary (enigmatic, inscrutable, intrigue, espionage, clandestine) and a complex structure with a dependent clause ('glimpsed momentarily from beneath...') and an embedded parenthetical phrase ('albeit unconfirmed') to convey nuanced meaning, a hallmark of C2 proficiency.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
put on a coat
надеть пальто
take off a coat
снять пальто
wear a coat
носить пальто
a coat of paint
слой краски
a coat of arms
герб
button up a coat
застегнуть пальто
unbutton a coat
расстегнуть пальто
hang up a coat
повесить пальто
try on a coat
примерять пальто
a coat rack
вешалка для пальто
Grammatikmuster
Satzmuster
A person wears a coat.
He wears a warm coat.
A coat is [color/description].
The coat is blue and very long.
This is [possessive pronoun]'s coat.
This is my coat.
A person puts on/takes off a coat.
She puts on her coat before going outside.
Where is the coat?
Where is my coat?
I like this coat.
I like this new coat.
The coat is in/on [location].
The coat is in the closet.
A person has a coat.
I have a new coat for winter.
So verwendest du es
A coat is typically worn for warmth or protection from the weather, like rain or snow. It's an outer garment. Example: "I need to wear a warm coat because it's cold outside." Example: "She put on her raincoat before going out in the storm."
People sometimes confuse 'coat' with 'jacket.' While both are outer garments, a coat is generally longer and heavier, often reaching the thighs or knees, and is designed for more significant warmth or protection. A jacket is usually shorter, ending at the waist or hips, and can be lighter. Incorrect: "I'm wearing a light summer coat." (Likely should be 'jacket' if it's light and for summer) Correct: "I'm wearing a heavy winter coat."
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
When the weather gets cold, I always grab my winter coat before leaving the house.
- grab my winter coat
- before leaving the house
- weather gets cold
She hung her coat on the hook by the door as soon as she came inside.
- hung her coat
- on the hook
- came inside
He bought a new waterproof coat for his hiking trip next month.
- bought a new waterproof coat
- hiking trip
- next month
Don't forget your coat; it's quite chilly out there this evening.
- Don't forget your coat
- quite chilly
- out there this evening
The old coat in the attic still fits me, but it's a bit out of style now.
- old coat in the attic
- still fits me
- a bit out of style
Gesprächseinstiege
"Do you have a favorite type of coat for different seasons?"
"What kind of coat do you usually wear when it's raining?"
"Have you ever lost a coat and had to buy a new one?"
"What features do you look for when buying a new winter coat?"
"Is there a coat you've seen that you really like but haven't bought yet?"
Tagebuch-Impulse
Describe your favorite coat. What does it look like, and what memories do you have associated with it?
Imagine you are designing a new coat. What special features would it have, and what materials would you use?
Write about a time you were very grateful to have your coat with you.
If you could have any coat from history or a movie, which one would it be and why?
Reflect on how your choice of coat might change depending on the occasion or the weather. Give specific examples.
Teste dich selbst 36 Fragen
Which of these keeps you warm in winter?
A coat is worn to keep warm, especially in cold weather like winter.
You wear a coat mostly when you are...
Coats are typically worn outdoors to protect from cold or rain.
A coat usually has long...
A coat has long sleeves to cover your arms and keep you warm.
A coat is typically worn over other clothes.
Yes, a coat is an outer garment worn over other clothes.
A coat is usually shorter than a jacket.
No, a coat is generally longer than a jacket, often reaching the mid-thigh or knees.
You wear a coat to keep dry when it rains.
Yes, many coats are designed to be waterproof or water-resistant to keep you dry.
Write a short sentence about what you wear when it's cold outside.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
I wear a coat when it is cold outside.
Imagine it is raining. What do you put on to stay dry?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
I wear a coat in the rain to stay dry.
Describe a coat. What does it look like?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
My coat is long and warm. It is blue.
What does Maria wear when she goes outside in the snow?
Read this passage:
It is winter. The snow is falling. Maria needs to go outside. She puts on her warm coat before she leaves her house.
What does Maria wear when she goes outside in the snow?
The passage states, 'She puts on her warm coat before she leaves her house.'
The passage states, 'She puts on her warm coat before she leaves her house.'
What color is Tom's new coat?
Read this passage:
Tom has a new coat. It is red and very big. He likes to wear it when he walks to school because it keeps him warm.
What color is Tom's new coat?
The passage says, 'It is red and very big.'
The passage says, 'It is red and very big.'
When do people wear a coat?
Read this passage:
A coat is a type of clothing. People wear coats when it is cold or raining. It covers the body and arms.
When do people wear a coat?
The passage states, 'People wear coats when it is cold or raining.'
The passage states, 'People wear coats when it is cold or raining.'
Which of these would you wear to stay warm in winter?
A coat is designed to keep you warm, especially in cold weather like winter.
You put on a coat when you go outside in the rain to stay...
A coat protects you from the rain and helps you stay dry.
Which sentence uses the word 'coat' correctly?
A coat is an item of clothing, so 'He wore a warm coat to the party' is the correct usage.
A coat is typically worn indoors.
Coats are generally worn outdoors to protect from cold or rain.
A coat usually has long sleeves.
Most coats have long sleeves to provide warmth and protection for the arms.
A coat is shorter than a jacket.
Coats are typically longer than jackets, often reaching the mid-thigh or knees.
This sentence describes a new winter coat as being stylish and warm, emphasizing its dual qualities.
This sentence indicates that someone put on a raincoat before going out in bad weather.
This sentence highlights how a specific type of coat became a defining feature of a detective's mysterious character.
Listen for the description of the alchemist's attire.
Pay attention to how her coat is described in relation to the weather.
Notice the type of coat and the atmosphere it conveys.
Read this aloud:
The austere judge, swathed in his ceremonial robe, delivered the verdict with an air of unflappable authority.
Focus: austere, swathed, ceremonial, unflappable, authority
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Read this aloud:
Her sartorial choices, often bordering on the avant-garde, invariably included an exquisitely tailored overcoat, a testament to her discerning taste.
Focus: sartorial, avant-garde, invariably, exquisitely, tailored, discerning
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Read this aloud:
The intrepid explorer, encased in a formidable Arctic parka, braved the unforgiving blizzard with an unwavering spirit.
Focus: intrepid, encased, formidable, Arctic, parka, unforgiving, unwavering
Du hast gesagt:
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This sentence describes the sophisticated appearance of an overcoat.
This sentence highlights the protective quality of a raincoat in bad weather.
This sentence emphasizes the dual nature of a trench coat as both functional and stylish.
/ 36 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
A coat is a protective outer garment, longer than a jacket, worn for warmth or dryness.
- Outerwear for warmth/protection.
- Longer than a jacket.
- Often reaches mid-thigh or knees.
Beispiel
I need to wear a heavy coat because it is snowing outside.
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bookshop
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consumer
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present
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bargain
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brochure
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bookstore
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bookstall
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cashier
A1Die Person, die im Geschäft Geld entgegennimmt und auszahlt.
refund
A1Geld, das du zurückbekommst, wenn du ein Produkt im Laden zurückgibst.
