das  Bett

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/bɛt/

🛌 What exactly is "das Bett"?

Das Bett (noun, neuter) refers to a piece of furniture primarily used for sleeping or resting. It typically consists of a frame (Gestell), a mattress (Matratze), and bedding (Bettzeug) such as pillows (Kissen) and a duvet/blanket (Decke).

There is only this one main meaning for das Bett. It's a very common word in everyday life.

• Example: Nach einem langen Tag freue ich mich auf mein Bett. (After a long day, I look forward to my bed.)
• Example: Die Kinder spielen auf dem Bett. (The children are playing on the bed.)

🚨 Attention: Don't confuse it with "das Beet" (garden bed), which sounds similar but means something completely different!

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "das Bett" in Detail

The word "Bett" is neuter, so the definite article in the nominative singular is "das". Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences for Grammar

• Nominative Singular: Das Bett steht im Schlafzimmer. (The bed is in the bedroom.)
• Accusative Singular: Ich mache das Bett jeden Morgen. (I make the bed every morning.)
• Dative Singular: Das Kind liegt in dem Bett. (The child is lying in the bed.)
• Genitive Singular: Die Qualität des Bettes ist sehr gut. (The quality of the bed is very good.)
• Nominative Plural: Die Betten im Hotel waren bequem. (The beds in the hotel were comfortable.)
• Accusative Plural: Wir müssen noch die Betten beziehen. (We still have to make the beds / put sheets on the beds.)
• Dative Plural: In den Betten schlafen die Gäste. (The guests sleep in the beds.)
• Genitive Plural: Die Sauberkeit der Betten wird täglich kontrolliert. (The cleanliness of the beds is checked daily.)

💬 How is "das Bett" used?

"Das Bett" is used very frequently in everyday language. Here are some typical contexts:

• Sleeping & Resting: The primary purpose. "Ich gehe jetzt ins Bett." (I'm going to bed now.), "Er lag den ganzen Tag im Bett." (He stayed in bed all day.)
• Illness: Often, one stays in bed when sick. "Der Arzt hat ihm Bettruhe verordnet." (The doctor prescribed bed rest for him.), "das Bett hüten müssen" (to have to stay in bed - a fixed idiom).
• Furniture: As part of the furniture in a bedroom. "Wir brauchen ein neues Bett." (We need a new bed.)
• Idioms: There are several fixed expressions with "Bett":
  • "sich ins gemachte Bett legen": to profit from the preparatory work of others (literally: to lie down in a made bed).
  • "jemanden aus dem Bett holen/klingeln": to wake someone up or disturb them (literally: to get someone out of bed).
  • "wie man sich bettet, so liegt man": You've made your bed, now lie in it (literally: as one makes one's bed, so one lies).

Compared to synonyms like "Schlafstätte" or "Liegestatt", "Bett" is by far the most common and neutral word.

💡 Mnemonics for "das Bett"

Article Mnemonic

Think of "das Nest" (the nest). Birds sleep in a nest, people sleep in a Bett. Both are places of rest, both are neuter: das Nest, das Bett. Alternatively: Remember the phrase "Das Haus hat das Bett" (The house has the bed) - lots of 's' and 't' sounds, associated with the neuter article 'das'.

Meaning Mnemonic

Imagine you need to go to bed. You might feel Bad, Exhausted, Tired, and want to resT. Put the first letters together: B-E-T-T = Bett!

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms of "Bett"

⚠️ Similar but Different Words

• das Beet: (noun, neuter) A defined area in a garden for plants. Sounds similar, but means something completely different.

😄 A Little Joke

Lehrer: "Fritzchen, warum kommst du schon wieder zu spät zur Schule?"
Fritzchen: "Ich habe geträumt, ich wäre schon in der Schule. Und als ich aufgewacht bin, musste ich mich beeilen, um nicht zu spät zu kommen!"
Lehrer: "Und was hat das mit deinem Bett zu tun?"
Fritzchen: "Na, ich wollte nicht schon wieder aufstehen! Mein Bett war so gemütlich!"

Translation:

Teacher: "Fritzchen, why are you late for school again?"
Fritzchen: "I dreamed I was already at school. And when I woke up, I had to hurry so I wouldn't be late!"
Teacher: "And what does that have to do with your bed?"
Fritzchen: "Well, I didn't want to get up again! My bed was so cozy!"

📜 A Poem about the Bed

Am Abend, wenn der Tag vergeht,
Ein Möbelstück bereit schon steht.
Mit Kissen weich und Decke warm,
Hält es dich sicher in dem Arm.

Man nennt es schlicht und einfach Bett,
Mal schmal, mal breit, mal sehr adrett.
Ob Traumlandfahrt, ob Schlaf so tief,
Nichts ist so schön, wenn man drin schlief.

Translation:

In the evening, when the day fades away,
A piece of furniture already stands ready.
With soft pillows and a warm blanket,
It holds you safely in its arm.

It's called simply and plainly Bett (bed),
Sometimes narrow, sometimes wide, sometimes very neat.
Whether a dream journey or sleep so deep,
Nothing is as lovely as when one slept within.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich habe Beine, kann doch nicht geh'n.
Ich hab' 'nen Rücken, kann aber nicht steh'n.
Ich lade dich ein zur Ruhe und Nacht.
Wer hat mich wohl für dich gemacht?

Lösung (Solution): das Bett

Translation:

I have legs, but cannot walk.
I have a back, but cannot stand.
I invite you to rest and night.
Who might have made me for your delight?

Solution: the bed

🧩 Other Information about "das Bett"

Compound Words (Komposita)

"Bett" is part of many compound words in German:

• das Doppelbett: Double bed
• das Einzelbett: Single bed
• das Kinderbett: Child's bed / crib
• das Gästebett: Guest bed
• die Bettdecke: Duvet / blanket
• die Bettwäsche: Bed linen / bedding
• das Bettgestell: Bed frame
• das Krankenbett: Hospital bed / sickbed
• das Himmelbett: Four-poster bed (literally: sky bed)

Origin (Etymologie)

The word "Bett" comes from the Old High German "betti", which originally meant a trodden down, dug out, or raised place for lying down, including for animals. The connection to the modern piece of furniture developed later.