das / der  Gefallen

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡəˈfalən/

🤔 What does "Gefallen" mean? Two articles, two meanings!

The word Gefallen is a noun that has different meanings depending on its article. It's important to distinguish between the two forms:

🚨 Attention: The plural form is very rare for both meanings and usually only used in specific contexts ("Gefälligkeiten" for der Gefallen, hardly any plural for das Gefallen).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar in Detail: Der or Das Gefallen?

Both nouns, "der Gefallen" and "das Gefallen", are mainly used in the singular. Here is the declension:

Der Gefallen (masculine)

(Plural "die Gefallen" or more commonly "die Gefälligkeiten" is rare.)

Das Gefallen (neuter)

(Plural is practically never used.)

Example Sentences

1. Der Gefallen: Er hat mir einen großen Gefallen getan, als er mir beim Umzug half.
   (He did me a big favor when he helped me move.)
2. Der Gefallen: Ich bitte dich um einen kleinen Gefallen.
   (I'm asking you for a small favor.)
3. Das Gefallen: Sie fand sofort Gefallen an der neuen Wohnung.
   (She immediately took a liking to the new apartment.)
4. Das Gefallen: Sein Vorschlag fand allgemeines Gefallen.
   (His suggestion met with general approval/liking.)
5. Das Gefallen: Man kann es nicht jedem nach seinem Gefallen recht machen.
   (You can't please everyone according to their liking.)

💡 How to Use "Gefallen" Correctly?

The correct usage clearly depends on the intended meaning:

• Der Gefallen: Used when talking about a concrete act of help or favor.
  • Typical phrases: jemandem einen Gefallen tun/erweisen (to do/render someone a favor), jemanden um einen Gefallen bitten (to ask someone for a favor), aus Gefallen (out of kindness/as a favor).
  • Context: Mostly in social interactions, requests, expressions of thanks.
• Das Gefallen: Used to express subjective liking, approval, or pleasure.
  • Typical phrases: Gefallen an etwas/jemandem finden (to take a liking to something/someone), nach Gefallen (as one pleases, according to one's liking), etwas findet Gefallen (something finds approval/is liked).
  • Context: Expressing opinions, describing preferences, evaluations.

⚠️ Risk of Confusion: Don't confuse the noun "das Gefallen" with the verb "gefallen" (e.g., Das Bild gefällt mir. - I like the picture.). The noun describes the state of liking; the verb describes the action of pleasing or being liked.

🧠 Mnemonics for "Gefallen"

For the articles: A favor is often a deed: Der Dienst (service, masculine) is like der Gefallen (masculine). → Der Gefallen = favor/service.
Liking is a feeling: Das Gefühl (feeling, neuter) is like das Gefallen (neuter). → Das Gefallen = liking/appeal.

For the meaning: Think of "der Gefallen" as "the favor" you do someone.
Think of "das Gefallen" as "that feeling" of liking something (das Gefühl).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar Words:

• Gefallen (verb): Das Haus gefällt mir. (The house pleases me / I like the house.) vs. Das Gefallen (noun): Ich finde Gefallen an dem Haus. (I take a liking to the house / I find pleasure in the house.)
• Fall (case, fall): Has nothing to do with "Gefallen" (except etymologically very distantly via "fallen" - to fall).

😄 A Little Joke

Fritzchen fragt seine Mutter: "Mama, kannst du mir einen Gefallen tun und mir 10 Euro geben?"
Sagt die Mutter: "Das wäre dann aber ein sehr teurer Gefallen, mein Sohn!"

Translation:
Little Fritz asks his mother: "Mom, can you do me a favor and give me 10 Euros?"
The mother says: "But that would be a very expensive favor, my son!"

📜 Gefallen in Verse

Der Gefallen, klein und fein,
ein Dienst, so soll es sein.
Man bittet drum, man dankt dafür,
er öffnet manche Tür.

Das Gefallen, still und zart,
an Kunst von eigner Art.
Ein Lächeln, das im Herzen blüht,
weil Schönheit uns umzieht.

Translation:
The favor (der Gefallen), small and fine,
a service, as it should be.
One asks for it, one thanks for it,
it opens many a door.

The liking (das Gefallen), quiet and tender,
for art of a special kind.
A smile that blooms in the heart,
because beauty surrounds us.

❓ Riddle Time

Mal bin ich ein Dienst, den man erbittet,
mal ein Gefühl, das Freude vermittelt.
Der eine Artikel macht mich zur Tat,
der andre zeigt, was man lieber hat.

Was bin ich, in zweifacher Gestalt?

Translation:
Sometimes I'm a service one requests,
Sometimes a feeling that joy conveys.
One article makes me an action,
The other shows what one prefers to have.

What am I, in dual form?

(Solution: Der/Das Gefallen)

➕ Other Information

Word Composition: The noun "Gefallen" is a nominalization (substantivierung) of the past participle (Partizip II) of the verb "gefallen" (to please, to like). The prefix "ge-" often indicates a result or a completed state.

Etymology: The verb "gefallen" comes from the Old High German "gifallan", which originally meant "to fall to someone's lot" (in the sense of luck or fate). From this, the meanings "to appeal to" and "to be pleasant" developed.