das Label, -s

Meaning

„Label“ in German is a loanword from English and is used mainly in two senses:

1. (Product/packaging) label, tag, marking
   A „Label“ is a piece of information attached to a product, e.g. a name tag, brand label, or information label on clothing or packaging.
   Example meaning: das Etikett am Kleidungsstück, das Nährwert-Label.

2. (Music/industry) record label / brand
   A „Label“ can also mean a company/brand name, especially in music: a record label that produces and distributes music.
   Example meaning: ein Independent-Label, bei einem Label unter Vertrag sein.

Word parts

• Label is not a native German compound; it’s a borrowed word.
• In usage it behaves like a German noun: das Label (neuter), plural die Labels.

German synonyms

Depending on meaning:

1. Product/packaging sense

• Etikett
• Aufkleber (often if it’s a sticker)
• Kennzeichnung
• Beschriftung

2. Company/brand / music sense

• Plattenfirma (especially “record label”)
• Musiklabel
• Marke (when it means “brand” more generally)
• Hersteller (sometimes, depending on context)

German antonyms

There is no single direct antonym, but context-related opposites can be:

• For “label/marking”: unbeschriftet, ohne Kennzeichnung (as opposites in adjectival form)
• For “record label/company”: no clear antonym in normal usage