das  Gebüsch

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡəˈbyʃ/

🌳 What's Hiding in the Gebüsch? The Meaning

Das Gebüsch refers to a group of shrubs or bushes growing closely together. It's a collective noun (Sammelbegriff) for several, often low-growing, woody plants.

Unlike a single Strauch (der Strauch - the shrub/bush), das Gebüsch always implies a cluster or an area covered with bushes. It can be unkempt and wild or part of a garden design.

There is only this one meaning for das Gebüsch, and it is always neuter (sächlich).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Under the Microscope: Declension of Gebüsch

Das Gebüsch is a noun (Substantiv) of neuter gender (Neutrum).

Example Sentences (Beispielsätze)

• Der Hase versteckte sich schnell im dichten Gebüsch.
  The rabbit quickly hid in the dense bushes.
• Hinter dem Haus wächst ein undurchdringliches Gebüsch.
  Behind the house, there grows an impenetrable thicket/shrubbery.
• Wir müssen das Gebüsch am Zaun zurückschneiden.
  We need to cut back the bushes by the fence.
• Die Vögel bauen ihre Nester gerne in den dichten Gebüschen.
  The birds like to build their nests in the dense bushes.

🚨 Note: In the dative singular, both forms (Gebüsch, Gebüsche) are possible, though 'Gebüsch' is more common. In the genitive singular, 'Gebüsches' is slightly more formal than 'Gebüschs'.

🌿 How to Use 'das Gebüsch'?

Das Gebüsch is used to describe a collection of shrubs. It's often found in contexts describing nature, gardens, or landscapes.

• Nature & Forest: Describes undergrowth or dense shrub vegetation. Example: Im Wald fanden wir hinter einem Gebüsch einen versteckten Pfad. (In the forest, we found a hidden path behind some bushes.)
• Garden: Refers to a group of ornamental shrubs or a hedge. Example: Das Gebüsch im Vorgarten braucht dringend einen Schnitt. (The bushes in the front yard urgently need trimming.)
• Hiding Place: Often used in connection with hiding. Example: Die Kinder spielten Verstecken im Gebüsch. (The children played hide-and-seek in the bushes.)

Distinction from 'Strauch':

• Der Strauch: A single woody plant that branches directly above the ground and lacks a dominant main trunk like a tree.
• Das Gebüsch: A group of shrubs, an area covered with shrubbery.

So, you talk about ein Strauch (a shrub), but das Gebüsch (the shrubbery/bushes as a whole).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Gebüsch'

Article Mnemonic (das): Many collective nouns starting with Ge- and ending in -e or no ending are neuter: das Gebirge (mountains), das Gemüse (vegetables), das Getreide (grains), das Gebäude (building)... and also das Gebüsch. Think of 'Generally das for collections'. The prefix 'Ge-' often signals a collective noun, which tends to be neuter.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a big, messy collection of bushes. It's a 'general' bunch of bushes. The sound 'büsch' might remind you of the English word 'bush'. So, 'Ge-büsch' is like a 'general collection of bushes'.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse das Gebüsch with der Busch. Although often used synonymously, 'Busch' is the older form and can also refer to a single shrub. 'Gebüsch' is more specific to a group.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat sich der Gärtner im Gebüsch versteckt?
Er wollte nicht gestört werden, er war strauchelig müde!

Translation:
Why did the gardener hide in the bushes?
He didn't want to be disturbed, he was dog-tired! (Pun: 'strauchelig' means stumbling/staggering, sounds like 'Strauch' - shrub)

📜 A Little Poem

Im Garten dicht, ein grüner Ort,
das Gebüsch, es flüstert fort.
Versteckt den Vogel, klein und fein,
lässt Sonnenstrahlen sacht hinein.
Ein Sammelplatz für Ast und Blatt,
macht müde Augen niemals satt.

Translation:
In the dense garden, a green place,
the shrubbery whispers forth.
Hides the bird, small and fine,
lets sunbeams gently shine within.
A gathering place for branch and leaf,
never makes tired eyes sated.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin kein Baum, doch hab viel Holz,
bin eine Gruppe, dicht und stolz.
Ich biete Vögeln gern ein Haus
und seh oft etwas struppig aus.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I am no tree, but have much wood,
I am a group, dense and proud.
I gladly offer birds a house
and often look a bit scruffy.

What am I?

💡 More Interesting Facts

Word Formation (Wortbildung):

Das Gebüsch is a collective noun (Kollektivum), formed with the prefix Ge- and the noun Busch (bush), undergoing an umlaut change from 'u' to 'ü'. The prefix Ge- here serves to express a totality or collection of something, similar to Gebirge (a collection of mountains = mountain range) or Geflügel (a group of birds = poultry).