das  Blut

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bluːt/

🩸 What exactly is "das Blut"?

Das Blut primarily refers to the red bodily fluid that circulates in the veins and arteries of humans and animals, fulfilling vital functions such as transporting oxygen and nutrients, and defending against pathogens.

• Main meaning: The biological fluid in living beings. Example: Nach dem Schnitt floss Blut aus der Wunde. (Blood flowed from the wound after the cut.)
• Figurative meanings:
  • Lineage/Origin: Er hat königliches Blut in seinen Adern. (He has royal blood in his veins.) - referring to noble descent.
  • Temperament/Passion: Sein südländisches Blut kochte. (His southern blood boiled.) - referring to hot-bloodedness.
  • Life force: Rare, more poetic.

⚠️ Important: Although it might seem like a countable liquid, das Blut is usually treated as an uncountable noun in German and therefore typically does not have a plural form.

📜 Grammar of "das Blut"

"Das Blut" is a neuter noun. It is generally used as an uncountable noun, so a plural form only exists in specific contexts (e.g., different *Blutsorten* - blood types, which is rare and often paraphrased).

Declension (Singular)

💡 Note: The genitive form des Bluts is more common than des Blutes. The dative form dem Blute is archaic.

Example Sentences

1. Das Blut zirkuliert im Körper. (The blood circulates in the body.) - Nominative
2. Die Analyse des Blutes ergab keine Auffälligkeiten. (The analysis of the blood showed no abnormalities.) - Genitive
3. Dem Blut werden wichtige Aufgaben zuteil. (Important tasks are assigned to the blood.) - Dative
4. Man kann das Blut sehen. (One can see the blood.) - Accusative
5. Er spendete Blut. (He donated blood.) - Accusative, no article

🗣️ How to use "das Blut"?

"Das Blut" is an everyday word used in various contexts:

• Medical Context: Blut abnehmen (to draw blood), Blut spenden (to donate blood), Blutdruck messen (to measure blood pressure), Blutgruppe bestimmen (to determine blood type).
• Injuries: Es fließt viel Blut. (A lot of blood is flowing.), Er verlor viel Blut. (He lost a lot of blood.), Eine Blutlache bildete sich. (A pool of blood formed.)
• Idioms (Figurative Meaning):
  • Böses Blut schaffen: (to create bad blood/cause trouble)
  • Blut und Wasser schwitzen: (to sweat blood and tears/be very scared or exert oneself greatly)
  • Sein eigenes Fleisch und Blut: (one's own flesh and blood/one's family, children)
  • Blaues Blut haben: (to have blue blood/be of noble descent)
  • Jemandem das Blut in den Adern gefrieren lassen: (to make someone's blood run cold/terrify someone)
  • Leidenschaftliches / heißes Blut haben: (to have passionate / hot blood/be a temperamental person)

Compared to synonyms like Lebenssaft (life juice), Blut is the neutral and most common term. Lebenssaft is more poetic or metaphorical.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Blut"

1. For the article "das": Think of fundamental, often neutral elements: das Wasser (water), das Licht (light), and similarly, das Blut. Or imagine 'das' boot (the boat) leaking something red – das Blut!
2. For the meaning: "Blut" sounds very similar to the English word "blood" and shares the same meaning. You can also think of a BLUe prinT - essential for building, just like Blut is essential for life.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "das Blut"

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Die Blüte: (The blossom/flower) Sounds similar, but is unrelated to blood.

😂 A Little Joke

Der kleine Vampir fragt seine Mutter: "Mama, kann ich noch etwas Blut zum Nachtisch?"
Sagt die Mutter: "Nein, mein Schatz, das musst du dir aus den Adern saugen!" 😄

Translation:
The little vampire asks his mother: "Mom, can I have some more blood for dessert?"
The mother replies: "No, my dear, you have to suck that out of the veins yourself!" 😄

✍️ Poem about Blood

Rot und warm, das Blut so rein,
Fließt durch jede Ader fein.
Bringt den Sauerstoff zum Leben,
Will uns Kraft und Stärke geben.
Ein Tropfen klein, doch voller Macht,
Hat uns durchs Leben stets gebracht.

Translation:
Red and warm, the blood so pure,
Flows through every vein secure.
Brings oxygen for life's embrace,
Wants to give us strength and grace.
A tiny drop, yet full of might,
Has always led us through life's light.

❓ Riddle

Ich bin rot und fließe still,
ohne mich dein Herz nicht schlagen will.
Ich trage Leben, Kraft und Mut,
bin in dir – ich bin ...?

Translation:
I am red and flow silently,
without me, your heart won't beat willingly.
I carry life, strength, and courage true,
I am inside you - I am...?

Solution: das Blut (blood)

ℹ️ Other Information

• Etymology: The word "Blut" comes from the Old High German "bluot" and has Germanic roots related to the verb "blühen" (to bloom, in the sense of "to well up, swell").
• Compound Words: There are many compound words (Komposita) with "Blut":
  • der Blutdruck (blood pressure)
  • die Blutgruppe (blood type)
  • die Blutvergiftung (sepsis/blood poisoning)
  • die Blutarmut (anemia)
  • das Blutbad (bloodbath)
  • der Blutspender (blood donor)
• Cultural Significance: Blood holds high symbolic meaning in many cultures and religions, often associated with life, death, sacrifice, and kinship.