das
Gebot
📜 What does "das Gebot" mean?
The German word das Gebot (neuter gender) has several meanings, often depending on the context:
- Command, precept, rule: A rule or order that must be followed. Often used in a religious or moral context.
- Example: Die Zehn Gebote (The Ten Commandments) are central rules in Judaism and Christianity.
- Example: Es ist das oberste Gebot, anderen zu helfen (It is the highest commandment/principle to help others).
- Bid (at an auction or in trade): A price someone offers to pay for something.
- Example: Er machte das höchste Gebot für das Gemälde (He made the highest bid for the painting).
- Example: Das letzte Gebot lag bei 500 Euro (The last bid was 500 Euros).
- Necessity, requirement: Something that is urgently needed or advisable.
- Example: In dieser Situation ist schnelles Handeln das Gebot der Stunde (In this situation, quick action is the order/need of the hour).
🚨 Watch out: Don't confuse it with der Bote (the messenger).
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.
Ge- → mostly neutral.
Nouns beginning with Ge- are usually neutral, unless other rules apply. We do not list all Ge nouns.
📊 Grammar of "das Gebot" Explained
Das Gebot is a noun of neuter gender. It follows the strong declension pattern.
Singular Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | das | Gebot |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des | Gebot(e)s |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem | Gebot(e) |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | das | Gebot |
Plural Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Gebote |
| Genitive | der | Gebote |
| Dative | den | Geboten |
| Accusative | die | Gebote |
📝 Example Sentences
- Nominative: Das Gebot war eindeutig. (The command/bid was clear.)
- Genitive: Die Einhaltung des Gebotes ist wichtig. (Compliance with the commandment/rule is important.)
- Dative: Wir folgen dem Gebot. (We follow the commandment/rule.)
- Accusative: Er übertrat das Gebot. (He transgressed the commandment.)
- Plural: Die zehn Gebote sind bekannt. (The Ten Commandments are well-known.)
🗣️ How to use "das Gebot"?
The usage of das Gebot heavily depends on its meaning:
- Religious/Moral Context: Here, "Gebot" signifies a sacred or ethical precept (e.g., Die Zehn Gebote - The Ten Commandments, das Gebot der Nächstenliebe - the commandment of charity/love for one's neighbor). It often sounds more formal and stronger than Regel (rule) or Vorschrift (regulation).
- Economic Context (Auctions): In this case, "Gebot" means a bid (e.g., ein Gebot abgeben - to make a bid, das Höchstgebot - the highest bid). It's more specific than the general word Angebot (offer).
- General Context (Necessity): Phrases like das Gebot der Stunde (the need/order of the hour) or das Gebot der Vernunft (the dictate of reason) emphasize the urgency or importance of an action.
Comparison with similar words:
- Befehl: More direct, often military or hierarchical. A Gebot can also be a moral guideline.
- Vorschrift: More like a formal, often written regulation (e.g., traffic regulations).
- Angebot: Broader than Gebot in the auction context. An Angebot can also be a proposal or a product special offer.
🧠 Mnemonics for "das Gebot"
Article Mnemonic (das): Remember that many abstract nouns derived from verbs (here: from bieten - to offer, command) are neuter in German. It is das thing that is geboten (offered or commanded).
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a robot (sounds like Gebot) which follows Gebote (commands) or makes Gebote (bids) at an auction.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar words):
- For command/rule: Anordnung (order), Auflage (stipulation), Befehl (command), Regel (rule), Verordnung (decree), Vorschrift (regulation), Weisung (instruction), Direktive (directive)
- For bid (auction): Angebot (offer), Offerte (offer, tender), Preisvorschlag (price suggestion)
- For necessity: Erfordernis (requirement), Notwendigkeit (necessity), Muss (must)
Antonyms (opposite words):
⚠️ Similar but different words:
😂 A Little Joke
German: Warum hat Moses die Gebote auf zwei Tafeln getragen? – Weil er kein Tablet hatte!
English: Why did Moses carry the commandments on two tablets? – Because he didn't have a tablet (computer)! 😄
✍️ Poem about Gebot
German:
Ein Gebot, klar und rein,
ob Regel oder Kauf muss sein.
Mal streng, mal nur ein leiser Rat,
manchmal des Handelns höchste Tat.
Bei Auktionen, laut und schnell,
fliegt das Gebot, wird aktuell.
Und in der Stille, tief im Sinn,
liegt oft ein höh'res Gebot drin.
English Translation:
A Gebot (commandment/bid), clear and pure,
Whether rule or purchase, must endure.
Sometimes strict, sometimes advice subdued,
Sometimes the highest act pursued.
At auctions, loud and fast they fly,
The Gebot (bid) goes current, reaches high.
And in the quiet, deep within the mind,
A higher Gebot (precept) you often find.
❓ Riddle
German:
Ich kann ein Befehl sein, streng und klar,
oder ein Preis, der aufgerufen war.
Die Stunde kann mich fordern, wenn's pressiert,
auf Steintafeln ward ich einst graviert.
Was bin ich?
English Translation:
I can be a command, strict and clear,
Or a price that was called out, held dear.
The hour can demand me when time is tight,
On stone tablets I once saw the light.
What am I?
Solution: Das Gebot
🧩 Other Information
Etymology: The word "Gebot" comes from Old High German "gibot" and is a nominalization of the verb "bieten" (in the sense of to command, to offer).
Word Family (Wortfamilie):
Summary: is it der, die or das Gebot?
The word "Gebot" is neuter, so the correct article is always das Gebot. It can mean a rule/commandment (like die Zehn Gebote), a bid at an auction, or an urgent necessity (das Gebot der Stunde).