das  Gehäuse

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡəˈhɔʏ̯zə/

📦 What exactly is 'das Gehäuse'?

The German word das Gehäuse (neuter gender) generally refers to an outer casing, housing, shell, or enclosure that surrounds, protects, or holds something together. It can relate to technical devices as well as natural objects.

• Technology: The outer shell of a device, e.g., a computer (das Computergehäuse), a watch (das Uhrengehäuse), or an engine. It protects the inner components.
• Biology: The hard shell of certain animals, especially snails (das Schneckengehäuse) or mussels.
• General: A capsule or container for specific contents.

⚠️ Be careful not to confuse it with Haus (building, house), although it is etymologically related.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'das Gehäuse' in Detail

Das Gehäuse is a noun of neuter gender. It follows the strong declension pattern.

Example Sentences

1. Das Gehäuse meines Computers ist aus Aluminium. (The casing of my computer is made of aluminum.)
2. Der Uhrmacher öffnete vorsichtig das Gehäuse der alten Taschenuhr. (The watchmaker carefully opened the case of the old pocket watch.)
3. Im Wald fanden wir viele leere Schneckengehäuse. (In the forest, we found many empty snail shells.)
4. Die empfindliche Elektronik ist durch ein robustes Gehäuse geschützt. (The sensitive electronics are protected by a robust housing.)
5. Die neuen Computergehäuse kommen in verschiedenen Farben. (The new computer cases come in different colors.)

🛠️ How to use 'das Gehäuse'?

Das Gehäuse is very commonly used in technical contexts when referring to the protection or outer structure of devices.

• Technology & Computers: Computergehäuse (computer case/tower), Festplattengehäuse (hard drive enclosure), Kameragehäuse (camera body), Lampengehäuse (lamp housing), Motorgehäuse (engine casing). Here, it represents the outer structure that houses and protects the internal parts.
• Watches: Das Uhrengehäuse (watch case) protects the watch movement.
• Biology: Das Schneckengehäuse (snail shell) is the most well-known example.
• General: Sometimes used for smaller containers or boxes, although more specific words like Dose (can/tin), Kasten (box), or Schatulle (casket) are often preferred in those cases.

Distinction from similar words:

• Hülle: Often softer or more flexible (e.g., Handyhülle - phone case/cover), but can sometimes be synonymous. Gehäuse usually implies more stability and rigidity.
• Verpackung: Primarily serves for transport and sale, not necessarily for permanent protection during use. A Gehäuse is part of the product itself.
• Schale: More common for fruits (Nussschale - nutshell) or eggs (Eierschale - eggshell) or indeed animals (Muschelschale - mussel shell). With snails, it overlaps with Gehäuse.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Gehäuse'

For the article (das): Remember that many technical items or apparatuses in German are neuter (das Gerät - the device, das System - the system, das Kabel - the cable). A Gehäuse is often technical and protects something 'neutral' inside – hence das Gehäuse.

For the meaning: The word contains "Haus" (house). Imagine the Gehäuse is a small, special "house" 🏠 for the important parts inside (like the watch movement, computer components, or the snail itself).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but potentially confusing words:

• Haus: Refers to a building for living or working (house).
• Gehege: An enclosure for animals (pen, compound).

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Computer den anderen: "Ist dir auch so kalt?"
Sagt der andere: "Kein Wunder, mein Gehäuse steht schon wieder offen!"

(One computer asks the other: "Are you cold too?"
The other replies: "No wonder, my case is open again!")

📜 A Little Poem

Ein starkes Gehäuse, fest und klar,
Schützt, was im Innern kostbar war.
Ob Technik fein, ob Uhrwerk klein,
Es hüllt sie sicher, schützend ein.
Die Schnecke trägt's auf ihrem Rücken,
Sich vor der Welt darin zu bücken.
So dient es still an jedem Ort,
Ein sich'rer, fester Schutzhort.

(A strong housing, firm and clear,
Protects what was precious inside.
Whether fine tech or a tiny clockwork,
It safely, protectively envelops them.
The snail carries it on its back,
To retreat into it from the world.
Thus it serves quietly in every place,
A secure, solid safe haven.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich habe kein Fenster, keine Tür,
doch schütze ich, was in mir.
Mal bin ich Technik, mal Natur,
bin Hülle für die Schneckenspur,
oder Schirm für die Computer-Kur.

Was bin ich? ... Das Gehäuse

(I have no window, no door,
yet I protect what's within me.
Sometimes I'm technology, sometimes nature,
I'm a shell for the snail's trail,
or a shield for the computer's cure.

What am I?
... The housing/casing/shell (das Gehäuse))

💡 More about 'das Gehäuse'

Word Composition:

The word "Gehäuse" is a derivative. It consists of:

• The prefix Ge-: This prefix is often used in German to form collectives (e.g., Gebirge - mountain range, Geflügel - poultry) or the results of an action. Here, it suggests something assembled or encompassing.
• The root word Haus: In the sense of 'dwelling', 'shelter', 'protection'.

Together, they form the meaning of a protective dwelling or shell.

Common Compound Words (Komposita):

• Computergehäuse (computer case/tower)
• Uhrengehäuse (watch case)
• Schneckengehäuse (snail shell)
• Motorgehäuse (engine casing)
• Lampengehäuse (lamp housing)
• Filtergehäuse (filter housing)
• Lagergehäuse (bearing housing - in mechanical engineering)