das
Gebirge
🗺️ What does "das Gebirge" mean?
Das Gebirge (neuter gender) refers to a connected group of mountains, i.e., a mountain range or mountain massif. It's a geographical term.
It's a so-called collective noun (Kollektivum or Sammelwort), formed with the prefix Ge-, which groups together a plurality of something (in this case, Berge - mountains).
⚠️ Although it describes a collection of mountains, it's mostly used in the singular. The plural form "die Gebirge" exists but is used less frequently, referring to multiple separate mountain ranges or massifs.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Ge- → mostly neutral.
Nouns beginning with Ge- are usually neutral, unless other rules apply. We do not list all Ge nouns.
🏔️ Grammar of "das Gebirge" in Detail
The noun "Gebirge" is neuter and takes the article das.
Declension Singular
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | das Gebirge | ein Gebirge |
| Genitive (Whose?) | des Gebirges | eines Gebirges |
| Dative (To whom?) | dem Gebirge | einem Gebirge |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | das Gebirge | ein Gebirge |
Declension Plural
The plural "die Gebirge" is used to refer to multiple, separate mountain ranges.
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die Gebirge | - Gebirge |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der Gebirge | - Gebirge |
| Dative (To whom?) | den Gebirgen | - Gebirgen |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die Gebirge | - Gebirge |
Example Sentences
- Im Urlaub fahren wir oft ins Gebirge.
(On vacation, we often go to the mountains/mountain range.) - Das Gebirge erhebt sich majestätisch am Horizont.
(The mountain range rises majestically on the horizon.) - Die Flora und Fauna des Gebirges ist einzigartig.
(The flora and fauna of the mountain range is unique.) - Wir wanderten tagelang durch das Gebirge.
(We hiked for days through the mountain range.) - Die verschiedenen Gebirge der Welt unterscheiden sich stark voneinander.
(The various mountain ranges of the world differ greatly from one another.)
🧭 When to use "das Gebirge"?
"Das Gebirge" is used when talking about a larger, connected formation of mountains.
- Geography & Cartography: To describe landscapes (e.g., das Alpengebirge - the Alps, das Erzgebirge - the Ore Mountains).
- Travel & Tourism: When describing vacation destinations or activities like hiking or skiing in mountain regions.
- General Language: As a general term for a mountainous landscape.
Difference from "der Berg": While der Berg refers to a single peak or mountain, das Gebirge describes a whole range or group of them.
Example: Der Mount Everest ist der höchste Berg im Himalaya-Gebirge. (Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the Himalayan mountain range.)
🧠 Mnemonics for "das Gebirge"
Article Mnemonic (das): Think of a vast, neutral landscape painting. The painting depicts das Gebirge. It's *neuter* -> *das*. Or, associate the 'G' in Gebirge with the 'G' in *gender-neutral*. Hence, *das Gebirge*.
Meaning Mnemonic (Mountain Range): The prefix Ge- in German often indicates a collection (like Gemüse - vegetables, a collection of plants; Gepäck - luggage, a collection of bags). So, Ge-birge is a collection of Berge (mountains).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Bergkette: (Mountain chain/range) - Emphasizes the linear arrangement.
- Bergmassiv: (Mountain massif) - Emphasizes a compact group.
- Bergland: (Mountainous country/region) - A region characterized by mountains.
- Höhenzug: (Ridge, chain of hills) - Often less high and rugged than a Gebirge.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum nehmen Bergsteiger immer einen Stift mit ins Gebirge?
(Why do mountaineers always take a pen into the mountains?)
Damit sie die Höhepunkte aufschreiben können!
(So they can write down the highlights/high points!) 😉
📜 Poem about the Mountains
Das Gebirge ragt empor,
(The mountain range rises up,)
Ein steinernes, gewaltig Tor.
(A stony, mighty gate.)
Gipfel grüßen Wolken sacht,
(Summits gently greet the clouds,)
In stiller, majestät'scher Pracht.
(In quiet, majestic splendor.)
Bäche murmeln, Winde weh'n,
(Streams murmur, winds blow,)
Wo Adler ihre Kreise zieh'n.
(Where eagles circle round.)
Ein Ort der Ruhe, wild und frei,
(A place of peace, wild and free,)
So schön kann nur ein Gebirge sei'.
(Only a mountain range can be so beautiful.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich habe viele Gipfel, doch keinen Kopf.
(I have many peaks, but no head.)
Ich habe Hänge, doch keinen Topf.
(I have slopes, but no pot. [Note: Hang also means handle, Topf means pot])
Ich trage Schnee oft wie ein Kleid,
(I often wear snow like a dress,)
Bin Heimat für die Gämse weit und breit.
(Am home for the chamois far and wide.)
Was bin ich? / What am I?
Lösung / Solution: Das Gebirge (The mountain range)
💡 More Interesting Facts
Word Composition:
The word "Gebirge" is a collective noun (Kollektivum) derived from the old word *birgi (mountain) using the prefix Ge-. This prefix often denotes a collection or totality in German, similar to Geäst (a collection of branches - Äste) or Gestein (a collection of rocks - Steine).
Famous Mountain Ranges (Gebirge):
Summary: is it der, die or das Gebirge?
The correct article for the word Gebirge is das: das Gebirge. It means 'mountain range' or 'mountain massif'.