noun
leather
B1
Leder (das) means 'leather' (material) and sometimes 'hide/skin'. It's usually a mass noun; plural identical 'die Leder' when countable. Genitive singular des Leders. No irregular declension beyond standard patterns. Gender is neuter; use with articles das Leder, dem Leder in dative.
Examples
Die Schusterin reparierte die Tasche mit einem Stück Leder, das sie vorher kaufte.
The shoemaker repaired the bag with a piece of leather that she bought earlier.
Diese Schuhe sind aus echtem Leder.
These shoes are made of genuine leather.
Die Jacke ist aus echtem Leder.
The jacket is made of real leather.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a brown leather jacket or a leather sofa to anchor the word.
Think of 'leader' (sounds similar) — imagine a leader wearing a leather jacket.
das (neuter) — imagine a neutral-colored leather jacket (no gendered color) to remember 'das Leder'.
Notes
Leder is often uncountable in German when referring to the material. Plural 'Leder' is possible when referring to different types or items made of leather.