das
Gefieder
🦜 What exactly is "das Gefieder"?
Das Gefieder (noun, neuter) refers to the entire set of feathers on a bird. It's a collective noun, similar to 'foliage' for leaves. It describes the plumage that covers, warms, protects the bird, and enables it to fly.
There is only this one article (das) for this word. It is typically used in the singular because it already has a collective meaning (all feathers together).
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 under the microscope: Declension
Das Gefieder is a neuter noun. It is mostly used in the singular. The plural form (die Gefieder) is rare and only used when referring to the different plumages of various bird species or individuals (e.g., in scientific contexts).
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun | (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Gefieder | (the plumage) |
| Genitive | des | Gefieders | (of the plumage) |
| Dative | dem | Gefieder | (to/for the plumage) |
| Accusative | das | Gefieder | (the plumage) |
Plural - Rare!
| Case | Article | Noun | (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Gefieder | (the plumages) |
| Genitive | der | Gefieder | (of the plumages) |
| Dative | den | Gefiedern | (to/for the plumages) |
| Accusative | die | Gefieder | (the plumages) |
Example Sentences
- Das Gefieder des Eisvogels schillert in leuchtenden Farben.
(The kingfisher's plumage shimmers in bright colors.) - Im Winter wird das Gefieder mancher Vögel dichter.
(In winter, the plumage of some birds becomes denser.) - Der Sturm zerzauste dem armen Vogel das Gefieder.
(The storm ruffled the poor bird's feathers/plumage.) - Forscher untersuchten die verschiedenen Gefieder (plural, rare) der Finkenarten auf der Insel.
(Researchers studied the different plumages of the finch species on the island.)
💬 How to use "Gefieder"?
Das Gefieder is used almost exclusively in the context of birds. It is the common and slightly more formal term for plumage or feathers as a whole.
- Biology/Ornithology: Very common in scientific and factual texts about birds.
- Everyday language: Also used in everyday speech when talking about the appearance or condition of a bird's feathers (e.g., "buntes Gefieder" - colorful plumage, "nasses Gefieder" - wet plumage).
- Figurative (rare): Sometimes used metaphorically, but not very common. The idiom "sich mit fremden Federn schmücken" (to adorn oneself with borrowed plumes) is much more frequent than a metaphor using "Gefieder".
Compared to Federn (plural of 'die Feder' - feather), Gefieder emphasizes the entirety and structure of the plumage, while Federn can refer to individual feathers.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Many German collective nouns starting with Ge- are neuter (das), like das Gebirge (mountain range), das Gemüse (vegetables), das Gebäude (building)... and also das Gefieder. Think: The General collection of feathers is das Gefieder.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a bird showing off its feathers. It might say: "Get a load of these fieders!" ('Fieders' sounds like feathers). -> Ge-fieder.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- das Federkleid: (feather dress/coat) Very common synonym, often interchangeable with Gefieder.
- die Federn (Plural): (the feathers) Refers more to the individual elements, but can sometimes mean the whole set.
- die Plumage: Loanword from French, more technical/formal.
Antonyms (Opposites):
- There are no direct antonyms. One could describe the opposite state:
- die Nacktheit: (nakedness) State without feathers (e.g., for chicks).
- die Haut: (the skin) The body surface beneath the plumage.
⚠️ Similar but Different Words:
- die Feder: (the feather) A single feather, not the collective plumage.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum tragen Vögel kein Geld bei sich?
Weil sie immer "piep" sind und ihr Gefieder schon ihr ganzes Kapital ist! 😉
(Why don't birds carry money?
Because they are always "cheep" [sounds like 'piep' = broke] and their plumage is already all their capital!)
📜 Poetry about the Word
Bunt und prächtig, warm und weich,
Ist des Vogels Federreich.
Das Gefieder, stolz zur Schau,
Glänzt im Licht, mal grau, mal blau.
Es schützt vor Kälte, Wind und Nass,
Fliegt durch Lüfte, ohne Unterlass.
(Colorful and splendid, warm and soft,
Is the bird's realm of feathers aloft.
The plumage, proudly displayed,
Shines in the light, in grey or blue shade.
It protects from cold, wind, and wet,
Flies through the air, without stopping yet.)
❓ Little Riddle
Ich kleide Vögel, groß und klein,
Mal farbig, mal ganz schlicht und rein.
Ich helfe ihnen hoch zu flieh'n,
Und halt' sie warm, wenn kalte Winde zieh'n.
Was bin ich?
Lösung: Das Gefieder
(I dress birds, large and small,
Sometimes colorful, sometimes simple and pure for all.
I help them to fly up high,
And keep them warm when cold winds sigh.
What am I?
Solution: The plumage / das Gefieder)
💡 More Interesting Facts
Word Formation (Wortbildung): The word Gefieder is a collective noun formed with the prefix Ge- (which indicates a collection or totality) and the root word Feder (feather). Similar formations include Gebirge (mountain range, collection of mountains) or Gewässer (body of water, collection of water).
Maintenance (Pflege): Birds spend a lot of time maintaining their Gefieder (this is called 'preening') because it is essential for their survival.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Gefieder?
The word 'Gefieder' is always neuter: das Gefieder. It refers to the entire plumage or set of feathers of a bird and is mostly used in the singular.