das  Buch

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/buːx/

📖 What exactly is a "Buch"?

A Buch (noun, neuter) is a collection of written, printed, illustrated, or blank sheets of paper or other suitable materials, bound together on one side (the spine, der Buchrücken) and usually enclosed in a cover (der Bucheinband or der Umschlag). It serves to store and disseminate information, stories, or knowledge.

In a figurative sense, "Buch" can also refer to a section of a larger work (e.g., "das erste Buch Mose" - the first book of Moses) or be used idiomatically.

🚨 Since only the article "das" was provided, there's no risk of confusion from different articles here.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "das Buch" in Detail

The word "Buch" is a noun of neuter gender. The corresponding article is das.

Example Sentences

• Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch. (The book is lying on the table. - Nominative Singular)
• Ich lese das Buch. (I am reading the book. - Accusative Singular)
• Ich widme mich dem Buch(e) mit großer Freude. (I dedicate myself to the book with great joy. - Dative Singular)
• Der Titel des Buch(e)s ist interessant. (The title of the book is interesting. - Genitive Singular)
• Die Bücher stehen im Regal. (The books are on the shelf. - Nominative Plural)
• Er verkauft die Bücher online. (He sells the books online. - Accusative Plural)
• Sie lernt mit den Büchern für die Prüfung. (She is studying with the books for the exam. - Dative Plural)
• Der Inhalt der Bücher ist faszinierend. (The content of the books is fascinating. - Genitive Plural)

💡 How to use "Buch"?

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

• Reading (Lesen): "Ich lese gerade ein spannendes Buch." (I'm currently reading an exciting book.)
• Writing (Schreiben): "Sie schreibt an ihrem ersten Buch." (She is writing her first book.)
• Education & Knowledge (Bildung & Wissen): "Dieses Buch enthält viele wichtige Informationen." (This book contains a lot of important information.) - e.g., Lehrbuch (textbook), Fachbuch (specialist book)
• Entertainment (Unterhaltung): "Nimm dir ein Buch für den Urlaub mit." (Take a book with you for the vacation.) - e.g., Roman (novel), Krimi (crime novel)
• Library/Bookstore (Bibliothek/Buchhandlung): "Ich leihe mir ein Buch aus der Bibliothek aus." (I'm borrowing a book from the library.) / "Wo finde ich das Buch von diesem Autor?" (Where can I find the book by this author?)

Idioms with Buch

• jemanden/etwas wie ein offenes Buch lesen: to read someone/something like an open book (to know and understand someone/something very well).
• ein Buch mit sieben Siegeln sein: to be a closed book / a book sealed with seven seals (to be completely incomprehensible or mysterious).
• zu Buche schlagen: to make a financial impact, to add up.
• über den Büchern sitzen/hängen: to sit/hang over the books (to study or learn intensely).

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Buch"

Remembering the article "das":

Many neuter nouns in German are short and monosyllabic, like das Buch. Think of other neuter things related to writing/reading: das Papier (paper), das Wort (word), das Heft (notebook). Alternatively, think: Das sounds a bit like 'thus', and thus a book contains neutral knowledge or facts.

Remembering the meaning "book":

Imagine you want to book a trip to another world – you can do that by opening a German Buch! Or: A *Buch helps you ch*eck facts and information.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms for Buch

Watch out for similar words:

• Bucht (die): A bay (geographical), unrelated to book.
• buchen (verb): To book/reserve (e.g., a flight, hotel room) or to post/enter (in accounting).

😂 A little Book Joke

German: Warum hat das Buch einen Sonnenbrand bekommen? - Weil es zu lange in der Sonne gelegen und sich nicht umgeblättert hat!

English: Why did the book get a sunburn? - Because it lay in the sun too long and didn't turn its pages! 😄

📜 A Poem about the Buch

German:
Ein Freund, ganz still und ohne Laut,
das Buch, dem man so gern vertraut.
Auf Seiten weiß, mit schwarzer Schrift,
Es Welten öffnet, Wissen stift'.

Mal spannend, traurig oder heiter,
Es trägt dich fort, stets Blatt um weiter.
Ob alt, ob neu, ob groß, ob klein,
Ein Buch lässt dich nie ganz allein.

English Translation:
A friend, quite silent, without sound,
The book, in which trust is found.
On pages white, with script in black,
It opens worlds, brings knowledge back.

Exciting, sad, or full of cheer,
It carries you forth, page by page near.
Whether old or new, or big or small,
A book never leaves you alone at all.

🤔 Book Riddle

German:
Ich habe Blätter, doch kein Baum,
Erzähl' Geschichten, fülle Raum.
Ich habe einen Rücken, kann nicht geh'n,
Du kannst in mir die Welt oft seh'n.

Was bin ich?
... Das Buch

English Translation:
I have leaves, but I'm not a tree,
Tell stories, fill space, for you to see.
I have a spine, but cannot walk,
Inside me, worlds begin to talk.

What am I?
... The book

✨ More Interesting Facts

Word Origin (Etymologie):

The word "Buch" comes from the Old High German word "buoh", which likely originally referred to inscribed beech wood sticks (runic staffs). So, the beech tree (die Buche) provided not only the material but also the name.

Compound Words (Wortzusammensetzungen):

"Buch" is part of many compound words:

• Taschenbuch: Paperback book (pocket book).
• Wörterbuch: Dictionary (word book).
• Kochbuch: Cookbook.
• Bilderbuch: Picture book.
• Hörbuch: Audiobook (listening book).
• E-Book: Electronic book.
• Buchhandlung: Bookstore (book shop).
• Buchstabe: Letter (of the alphabet - historically from the beech sticks).