das  Gebilde

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡəˈbɪldə/

🤔 What does 'Gebilde' mean?

Das Gebilde (neuter noun) generally refers to something that is formed, shaped, or structured (from the verb bilden - to form). It can relate to concrete or abstract things.

• Concrete meaning: A visible structure, shape, or formation. Examples: ein seltsames Gebilde am Himmel (a strange formation in the sky), ein geometrisches Gebilde (a geometric shape), ein komplexes Gebilde aus Holz (a complex structure made of wood).
• Abstract meaning: A mental or social structure, a system, or an organization. Examples: ein soziales Gebilde (a social structure/entity), ein staatliches Gebilde (a state entity/structure), ein theoretisches Gebilde (a theoretical construct).

It often carries a slightly vague or sometimes complex connotation – something that has come into being, but whose exact nature might not be immediately clear.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar of 'das Gebilde' in detail

The noun Gebilde is neuter and takes the article das. It behaves like a weak noun in the plural declension regarding the dative case, adding an 'n' (den Gebilden), but follows strong declension otherwise in the plural (Nominative/Accusative/Genitive: die/der/die Gebilde).

Declension Tables:

Example Sentences:

1. Das seltsame Gebilde am Horizont entpuppte sich als eine Wolkenformation.
   (The strange formation on the horizon turned out to be a cloud formation.)
2. Der Architekt entwarf ein komplexes Gebilde aus Glas und Stahl.
   (The architect designed a complex structure made of glass and steel.)
3. Die Wissenschaftler untersuchten das soziale Gebilde dieser Gemeinschaft.
   (The scientists studied the social structure/entity of this community.)
4. Aus den Bausteinen entstand ein fantasievolles Gebilde.
   (A fantastical structure emerged from the building blocks.)
5. Manchmal sind Gedanken schwer fassbare Gebilde.
   (Sometimes thoughts are elusive constructs/entities.)

💡 How is 'Gebilde' used?

Das Gebilde is often used when describing something that has a shape or structure, but whose precise name might be unknown, unimportant, or complex.

• In everyday life: For strange or unclear shapes (Was ist das für ein Gebilde? - What kind of structure/thing is that?) or creative constructions (Die Kinder bauten lustige Gebilde aus Sand - The children built funny structures out of sand).
• In science/technology: For structures, formations, models (kristalline Gebilde - crystalline structures, mathematische Gebilde - mathematical constructs).
• In art and architecture: For sculptures, buildings, or design objects (ein künstlerisches Gebilde - an artistic creation/structure).
• In the abstract: For social, political, or theoretical constructs (das staatliche Gebilde - the state entity, ein Gedankengebilde - a mental construct).

Distinction from similar words:

• Struktur: Similar, but often implies a more technical or systematic arrangement. Gebilde can feel more organic or less defined.
• Form: Primarily emphasizes the external shape, whereas Gebilde can also hint at internal composition or complexity.
• Objekt: A more neutral term for an object or thing. Gebilde often implies a certain complexity or a process of formation (natural or artificial).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'Gebilde'

Article Mnemonic (das): Think of das as the neutral 'it'. Many abstract or collective nouns starting with Ge- and ending in -e are neuter in German (das Gemüse - vegetables, das Gemälde - painting, das Gebäude - building). Das Gebilde fits this pattern as something neutrally formed.

Meaning Mnemonic: Ge-bild-e sounds like something that has been 'built' or 'formed' (from bilden). Imagine someone (or nature) shaping or constructing something – creating a Gebilde.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: The word Bild (das Bild) means 'picture' or 'image' and is not a direct synonym, even though Gebilde derives from bilden (to form).

😂 A little joke

Fragt ein Architekt seinen Kollegen: "Was hältst du von meinem neuesten Entwurf? Ein kühnes Gebilde, nicht wahr?"
Antwortet der Kollege: "Nun ja, es ist definitiv... gebildet. Ob es auch ausgebildet ist, wird sich zeigen!"

(One architect asks his colleague: "What do you think of my latest design? A bold structure/creation (Gebilde), isn't it?"
The colleague replies: "Well, it's definitely... 'gebildet' (formed/educated - wordplay). Whether it's also 'ausgebildet' (fully formed/trained/well-educated - more wordplay) remains to be seen!")

📜 A poem about Gebilde

Am Himmel, zart, ein Wolkenband,
Ein flüchtig Gebilde, von Windeshand.
Am Boden ragt, aus Stein gemeißelt,
Ein starres Gebilde, das die Zeit geißelt.

Im Kopf entsteht, ganz fein gesponnen,
Ein Denk-Gebilde, neu gewonnen.
Ob groß, ob klein, ob fest, ob weich,
Jedes Gebilde ist ein eignes Reich.

(In the sky, delicate, a band of clouds,
A fleeting formation, by wind's hand.
On the ground stands tall, carved from stone,
A rigid structure, that time whips.)

(In the mind arises, finely spun,
A thought-construct, newly won.
Whether large or small, whether firm or soft,
Every entity/structure is its own realm.)

🕵️‍♀️ Little Riddle

Ich kann aus Wolken sein, aus Stein,
aus Gedanken fein oder ganz allein.
Ich habe Form, bin oft komplex,
mal Kunstwerk, mal Naturreflex.

Was bin ich?

(I can be of clouds, of stone,
of thoughts so fine or all alone.
I have a form, am often complex,
sometimes artwork, sometimes nature's reflex.)

What am I?

Solution: das Gebilde (the structure / formation / entity)

🧩 Additional Info

Word Formation:

The word Gebilde is derived from the verb bilden (to form, create, shape). The prefix Ge- often indicates a result or a collective entity (compare: Gebirge - mountain range, Gemälde - painting).

Related Terms:

• Bildung (die): education, formation (abstract process)
• Abbild (das): image, representation
• Vorbild (das): model, example, role model
• Einbildung (die): imagination (often implying something unreal)

Compound Words (Komposita):

Gebilde is often part of compound words that specify the type of structure:

• Wolkengebilde (das): cloud formation
• Felsengebilde (das): rock formation
• Kunstgebilde (das): artistic creation/structure
• Gedankengebilde (das): mental construct, thought structure
• Sozialgebilde (das): social structure/entity