das  Gebet

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡəˈbeːt/

🙏 What exactly is a 'Gebet'?

Das Gebet (noun, neuter) refers to a ritual or personal act in which a person addresses a higher power, deity, or spiritual entity. It's a form of communication often involving requests (Bitten), thanks (Dank), praise (Lobpreis), or laments (Klagen).

• Religious Context: Prayer (das Gebet) is central to many religions as a means of connecting with the divine.
• Personal Expression: It can also be a very personal, meditative, or reflective act, independent of organized religions.

There is only one article for this word: das Gebet.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar in Detail: Das Gebet

The word "Gebet" is a noun of neuter gender (Neutrum). It is declined as follows:

💡 Application Examples

1. Das Gebet half ihr in schweren Zeiten. (Prayer helped her in difficult times.)
2. Die Kraft des Gebetes ist nicht zu unterschätzen. (The power of prayer should not be underestimated.)
3. Er widmete sich ganz dem Gebet. (He devoted himself entirely to prayer.)
4. Sie sprach ein kurzes Gebet vor dem Essen. (She said a short prayer before the meal.)
5. Die gemeinsamen Gebete stärkten die Gemeinde. (The communal prayers strengthened the congregation.)

🗣️ How to use 'das Gebet'?

"Das Gebet" is primarily used in the context of religion and spirituality. Here are some typical situations:

• Church service (Gottesdienst): "Der Pfarrer sprach das Eingangsgebet." (The pastor said the opening prayer.)
• Personal devotion (Persönliche Andacht): "Sie findet Ruhe in ihrem täglichen Gebet." (She finds peace in her daily prayer.)
• Request or intercession (Bitte oder Fürbitte): "Ein Gebet für die Kranken wurde gesprochen." (A prayer for the sick was said.)
• Gratitude (Dankbarkeit): "Er formulierte ein Dankgebet." (He formulated a prayer of thanks.)

Differentiation: While "Gebet" often implies formal or ritual communication, a "Bitte" (request) can also be secular. An "Andacht" (devotion) is a form of prayer, often silent or meditative.

Common phrases include "ein Gebet sprechen" (to say a prayer), "ein Gebet verrichten" (to perform a prayer), or "im Gebet sein" (to be in prayer).

🧠 Memory Aids for 'das Gebet'

Article 'das'

Think: The Divine (das Göttliche), which das Gebet addresses, is often thought of as neutral or encompassing – like das Universum (the universe), das Licht (the light), das Göttliche (the divine). The neuter 'das' fits well with this abstract concept.

Meaning 'Prayer'

The word "Gebet" sounds a bit like the German verbs "geben" (to give) and the noun "Bitte" (request). In prayer, you 'give' your thoughts/worries and make a 'request'.

🔁 Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words

⚠️ Similar Words (Careful!)

• Gebot (das): A commandment or order (e.g., the Ten Commandments - die Zehn Gebote). Sounds similar, but has a completely different meaning.
• Beet (das): A garden bed. Purely phonetic similarity.

😂 A Little Joke

Ein kleiner Junge betet jeden Abend lautstark: "Lieber Gott, mach bitte, dass Kopenhagen die Hauptstadt von Frankreich wird!"
Seine Mutter fragt verwundert: "Warum betest du denn das?"
Der Junge: "Weil ich das gestern so in die Klassenarbeit geschrieben habe!"

Translation:
A little boy prays loudly every evening: "Dear God, please make Copenhagen the capital of France!"
His mother asks, puzzled: "Why are you praying for that?"
The boy: "Because that's what I wrote on the class test yesterday!"

📜 A Short Poem

Ein leises Wort, zum Himmel steigt,
Das Gebet, das Hoffnung zeigt.
In stiller Stund', bei Tag, bei Nacht,
Wird Kummer oft zunicht' gemacht.
Ein Anker fest in Sturm und Wind,
Ein Trost, den jede Seele find't.

Translation:
A quiet word ascends to heaven,
The prayer that shows hope.
In silent hours, by day, by night,
Sorrow is often brought to naught.
A firm anchor in storm and wind,
A comfort that every soul finds.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Gespräch, doch oft ganz leis,
richt' mich nach oben, auf meine Reis'.
Ich bitte, danke, lobe, klag',
begleit' dich durch den hellsten Tag
und auch durch tiefste, dunkle Nacht.
Wer hat mich wohl erdacht?

Translation:
I am a conversation, yet often very quiet,
I direct myself upwards, on my journey.
I ask, thank, praise, lament,
accompany you through the brightest day
and also through the deepest, dark night.
Who might have conceived me?

Answer: das Gebet (prayer)

✨ More Information

Word Formation:

"Das Gebet" is derived from the verb "beten" (to pray). The prefix "Ge-" is often used in German to form nouns from verbs, expressing an action or the result of an action (compare Ge-sang from singen (song from to sing), Ge-spräch from sprechen (conversation from to speak)).

Cultural Significance:

Prayers (Gebete) are a central part of spiritual practice in almost all cultures and religions worldwide. Forms and contents can vary greatly, from standardized liturgical texts to free, personal formulations.