das  Gebäude

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡəˈbɔʏdə/

🏛️ What exactly is 'das Gebäude'?

The word das Gebäude (noun, neuter) generally refers to a Bauwerk (structure) that was erected by humans and serves to house or protect people, animals, or things. It has walls and a roof and is firmly connected to the ground.

It encompasses a variety of structures, from Wohnhäuser (residential buildings) and Bürokomplexe (office complexes) to Lagerhallen (warehouses) or public facilities like Schulen (schools) or Krankenhäuser (hospitals).

🚨 Attention: Although Haus (also 'das') is a specific type of Gebäude (often implying a dwelling), Gebäude is used as the more general term for building.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📝 Grammar of 'das Gebäude' at a Glance

The noun „Gebäude“ is neuter and therefore uses the article das. It belongs to the nouns that take an Umlaut (ä) and the ending „-e“ in the plural.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

💡 Quick Usage Examples

1. Das alte Gebäude wird bald abgerissen. (The old building will be demolished soon.)
2. Wir betreten das moderne Gebäude durch den Haupteingang. (We enter the modern building through the main entrance.)
3. Vor dem hohen Gebäude steht eine Statue. (There is a statue in front of the tall building.)
4. Die Fassade des Gebäudes braucht einen neuen Anstrich. (The facade of the building needs a new coat of paint.)
5. In dieser Straße stehen viele historische Gebäude. (There are many historical buildings on this street.)
6. In den alten Gebäuden gibt es oft keine Aufzüge. (In the old buildings, there are often no elevators.)
7. Die Verwaltung der städtischen Gebäude ist komplex. (The administration of the municipal buildings is complex.)

🏢 How to Use 'Gebäude'?

The term das Gebäude is a very common and neutral word for any kind of Bauwerk (structure) with a roof and walls.

• General term: It's often used when the specific type of structure (like Wohnhaus - house, Büro - office, Fabrik - factory) is not relevant or unknown. Example: „Dort drüben entsteht ein neues Gebäude.“ (A new building is being constructed over there.)
• Distinction from 'Haus': While das Haus often implies a residential building (Einfamilienhaus - single-family home, Reihenhaus - terraced house), das Gebäude is the umbrella term. An office complex is a Gebäude, but you would less commonly call it a 'Haus' (except perhaps metaphorically or in specific contexts like 'Verlagshaus' - publishing house).
• Formal context: In official documents, news reports, or technical descriptions, 'Gebäude' is often preferred as it is more precise and comprehensive.
• Compound nouns: 'Gebäude' is frequently part of compound words to specify the purpose or type: Bürogebäude (office building), Wohngebäude (residential building), Schulgebäude (school building), Fabrikgebäude (factory building), Nebengebäude (outhouse/annex), Hauptgebäude (main building).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Gebäude'

Remembering the article 'das'

Think of the English word 'build'. Buildings are neutral 'things' or 'objects' that are built. In German, many 'result' nouns formed with Ge- are neuter ('das'). Imagine saying: "DAS good building I built." -> G E B Ä U D E. The neuter 'das' fits the neutral result of building.

Remembering the meaning 'building'

The word 'Gebäude' contains 'bau', which relates to the verb 'bauen' (to build). The prefix 'Ge-' often indicates a collective noun or the result of an action (like 'Gebirge' - mountain range, from 'Berg' - mountain). So, the result of 'bauen' (building) is a Gebäude.

🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms

⚠️ Don't confuse with:

• Das Gerüst: Scaffolding; temporary structure on a building during construction or renovation.
• Die Hütte: Hut, cabin; small, simple building, often made of wood.

😂 A Little Building Joke

DE: Fragt der Architekt den Bauherrn: „Und, gefällt Ihnen das neue Gebäude?“ Sagt der Bauherr: „Naja, es geht so. Aber hätten Sie die Fenster nicht vielleicht nach außen einbauen können?“

EN: The architect asks the client: "So, do you like the new building?" The client replies: "Well, it's okay. But couldn't you perhaps have installed the windows facing outwards?"

✒️ A Poem About Buildings

DE:
Ein Gebäude, stolz und hoch,
Aus Stein, Glas, Stahl, es hält wohl noch.
Mal alt, mal neu, ein fester Stand,
Ein Dach, vier Wände, hier im Land.

Mal Büro, mal Heim, mal Ort der Kunst,
Es trotzt dem Wetter, Sturm und Dunst.
Das Gebäude, stiller Zeuge oft,
Auf das, was lebt und hofft.

EN:
A building, proud and tall,
Of stone, glass, steel, it stands through all.
Sometimes old, sometimes new, a solid ground,
A roof, four walls, on this land found.

An office, home, or place of art,
It defies weather, storm, plays its part.
The building, often silent witness bears,
To that which lives and hopes and cares.

❓ A Little Riddle

DE:
Ich habe Wände, doch kann nicht sprechen.
Ich habe ein Dach, doch keinen Kopf zum Denken.
Ich biete Schutz vor Regen und Wind,
bin mal riesig groß, mal klein wie ein Kind (im Vergleich zu anderen meiner Art).
Ich stehe fest, gebaut von Menschenhand.

Was bin ich? ... Das Gebäude

EN:
I have walls, but cannot speak.
I have a roof, but no head to think or seek.
I offer shelter from rain and wind,
I can be huge, or small like a kid (compared to others of my kind).
I stand firm, built by human hand.

What am I? ... A building (Das Gebäude)

🧐 More Interesting Facts

Word Formation

The word Gebäude is derived from the verb bauen (to build). The prefix Ge- here, as often in German, forms a collective noun or indicates the result of an action (cf. Gehölz - woods, from Holz - wood; Gespräch - conversation, from sprechen - to speak). The suffix -de is part of the substantivization process here.

Typical Compound Nouns

The versatility of buildings is reflected in numerous compound words:

• By function: Bürogebäude (office building), Wohngebäude (residential building), Schulgebäude (school building), Fabrikgebäude (factory building), Geschäftsgebäude (commercial building), Gerichtsgebäude (courthouse), Krankenhausgebäude (hospital building).
• By position: Hauptgebäude (main building), Nebengebäude (annex, outbuilding), Vordergebäude (front building), Hintergebäude (rear building), Eckgebäude (corner building).
• By material/style: Holzgebäude (wooden building), Stahlgebäude (steel building), Glasgebäude (glass building), Backsteingebäude (brick building), Altbaugebäude (old building), Neubaugebäude (new building).
• By size: Hochhausgebäude (rare, usually just 'Hochhaus' - high-rise building), Flachbau (low-rise building).