das  Gefüge

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡəˈfyːɡə/

🧩 What does "das Gefüge" mean?

Das Gefüge (noun, neuter) describes the way something is put together, its internal structure, its composition, or its framework. It can refer to physical things (e.g., das Gefüge eines Gesteins - the structure of a rock, das Holzgefüge - the wood structure) as well as abstract concepts (e.g., das soziale Gefüge - the social structure, das Machtgefüge - the power structure).

• Concrete: The composition or structure of a material or object (e.g., das Gefüge des Holzes - the structure of the wood, das Kristallgefüge - the crystal structure).
• Abstract: The structure or order of a system, society, or organization (e.g., das soziale Gefüge - the social fabric/structure, das Machtgefüge einer Organisation - the power structure of an organization, das Preisgefüge - the price structure).

It often emphasizes the internal order and the relationships between the parts within a whole.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "das Gefüge" in Detail

The word "Gefüge" is a noun with the article das (neuter). Its declension is as follows:

Example Sentences 📜

1. Der Geologe untersuchte das Gefüge des Gesteins unter dem Mikroskop.
   (The geologist examined the structure of the rock under the microscope.)
2. Veränderungen im sozialen Gefüge können zu Spannungen führen.
   (Changes in the social structure can lead to tensions.)
3. Die Stabilität des Gefüges ist entscheidend für die Tragfähigkeit der Brücke.
   (The stability of the structure is crucial for the bridge's load-bearing capacity.)
4. Man muss die komplexen Gefüge der Macht verstehen.
   (One must understand the complex structures of power.)

🗣️ How to Use "das Gefüge"

"Das Gefüge" is often used in contexts discussing the internal structure or coherence of something. It's a somewhat formal or technical term.

• Technology & Natural Sciences: Describing material structures (Metallgefüge - metal structure, Gesteinsgefüge - rock structure).
• Sociology & Politics: Analyzing societal structures (soziales Gefüge - social structure/fabric, Machtgefüge - power structure, Familiengefüge - family structure).
• Economics: Describing market structures (Preisgefüge - price structure, Wirtschaftsgefüge - economic structure).
• General: Can also be used to describe the structure of a complex system or organization (das innere Gefüge einer Partei - the internal structure of a party).

Compared to Struktur (structure) or Aufbau (setup, composition), Gefüge often places a stronger emphasis on how the parts are interconnected and interact.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Gefüge"

Article Mnemonic: Think of other neutral 'structure' words like "das System" or "das Gerüst" (framework). Many neutral German nouns describe abstract or concrete structures. Das System has a Gefüge.

Meaning Mnemonic: The verb fügen means 'to join' or 'to fit together'. The noun Ge-füge is the result (indicated by 'Ge-') of this joining – the structure that is formed.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Note: "Die Fuge" (joint, gap, seam) is a different word and not directly related to "Gefüge" in the sense of structure, although both derive from the verb "fügen".

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Architekt seinen Job gekündigt?
(Why did the architect quit his job?)
Er fand einfach keinen Halt mehr im sozialen Gefüge seines Büros!
(He just couldn't find any support anymore in the social structure of his office! - 'Halt finden' can mean finding support or physical hold.)

📜 Poem about Gefüge

Im Kleinen wie im Großen ganz,
(In the small as in the very large,)
zeigt sich ein kunstvoller Tanz.
(an artful dance reveals itself.)
Aus Teilen wird ein festes Band,
(From parts becomes a solid bond,)
das Gefüge, wohlbekannt.
(the structure, well-renowned.)

Ob Stein, ob Mensch, ob Staat,
(Be it stone, or man, or state,)
es hält zusammen, früh und spat.
(it holds together, early and late.)
Ein zartes Netz, ein starker Bau,
(A delicate net, a strong construction,)
das sieht man klar, schaut man genau.
(one sees it clearly, if one looks with attention.)

🤔 Little Riddle

Ich bin nicht sichtbar, doch allgegenwärtig.
(I am not visible, yet omnipresent.)
Ich halte zusammen, was sonst leicht zerfällt.
(I hold together what otherwise easily falls apart.)
Man spricht von mir in Fels und Gesellschaft.
(People speak of me in rock and society.)
Was bin ich?
(What am I?)

Lösung/Solution: Das Gefüge (The structure/framework)

💡 Other Information

Word Formation (Wortbildung):

"Das Gefüge" is derived from the verb fügen (to join, to fit, to arrange). The prefix Ge- often indicates a collective noun or the result of an action (like in Gebirge - mountain range, Gerede - talk/gossip, Gemälde - painting). Here, it signifies the result of joining, i.e., the resulting structure.

Interesting Fact: The term is used across very different disciplines, highlighting its fundamental meaning of 'the way something is put together' – from metallurgy to sociology.