das
Gehege
🏞️ What does "das Gehege" mean?
Das Gehege (noun, neuter) refers to a fenced-in or otherwise enclosed area used to keep animals inside or to keep wildlife out of certain areas.
It can describe small areas (e.g., for pets in a garden) or large enclosures (e.g., in zoos, wildlife parks, or for forestry purposes).
The focus is on the enclosure and the protection of the animals within or the plants outside the area.
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 of "das Gehege" in Detail
The word "Gehege" is a neuter noun. The article is das. Here is its declension:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Gehege |
| Genitive | des | Geheges |
| Dative | dem | Gehege |
| Accusative | das | Gehege |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Gehege |
| Genitive | der | Gehege |
| Dative | den | Gehegen |
| Accusative | die | Gehege |
Example Sentences
- Im Zoo gibt es ein großes Gehege für die Löwen. (In the zoo, there is a large enclosure for the lions.)
- Der Förster kontrollierte den Zaun des Geheges. (The forester checked the fence of the enclosure.)
- Die Ziegen fühlen sich in ihrem neuen Gehege wohl. (The goats feel comfortable in their new pen.)
- Wir bauen ein kleines Gehege für unsere Kaninchen im Garten. (We are building a small enclosure for our rabbits in the garden.)
- Viele Wildparks haben weitläufige Gehege, um den Tieren Auslauf zu bieten. (Many wildlife parks have spacious enclosures to offer the animals room to roam.)
💡 How to use "Gehege"
The term "Gehege" is mainly used when talking about keeping animals in a defined area. Typical contexts include:
- Zoos and Tierparks (Animal Parks): Animals live in Gehegen designed to resemble their natural habitats (e.g., das Affengehege - the monkey enclosure, das Wildschweingehege - the wild boar enclosure).
- Agriculture and Forestry: Gehege can protect livestock or fence off areas to protect young plants from wildlife (Wildgehege).
- Pet Keeping: Smaller Gehege for rabbits, guinea pigs, or chickens in the garden.
- Hunting: Historically, enclosed hunting grounds (Jagdgehege).
Distinction from similar words:
- Zaun (der): Primarily refers to the fence itself, not the enclosed area. A Gehege has a Zaun.
- Käfig (der): Usually smaller and often portable, typically for birds or small animals indoors. Often implies more restriction than a Gehege.
- Stall (der): A building for animals, primarily for shelter from the weather.
🧠 Mnemonics for "das Gehege"
Article Mnemonic: Think of 'das' as indicating a *neutral* space or area. An enclosure is like a defined, neutral territory for animals. It's *das* Gebiet (the area) -> das Gehege.
Meaning Mnemonic: The word "Gehege" contains "hegen" (to cherish, care for, enclose). Animals in a Gehege are gehegt – they are cared for and protected within the enclosure.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Einzäunung (die): Fence, enclosure (emphasizes the fencing).
- Gatter (das): Gate, pen (often for livestock or game, can be smaller).
- Tiergehege (das): Animal enclosure (more specific).
- Freigehege (das): Open-air enclosure (emphasizes outdoor space).
- Pferch (der): Pen, fold (usually a simple or temporary enclosure for sheep).
⚠️ Watch out for similar words:
- Hecke (die): Hedge (a boundary made of plants, not really an enclosure for animals).
- Hegen (verb): To cherish, nurse, protect, enclose; can also mean *to harbor* (e.g., a suspicion).
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Zoo-Direktor den Zaun um das Känguru-Gehege höher gebaut?
Damit die Kängurus nicht ständig zum Nachbargehege hüpfen und sich Zucker leihen!
(Why did the zoo director build the fence around the kangaroo enclosure higher? – So the kangaroos wouldn't constantly hop over to the neighboring enclosure to borrow sugar!)
📜 Poem about the Gehege
Im grünen Gras, von Zaun umspannt,
liegt sicher da ein Stückchen Land.
Das Gehege, wohlbekannt,
gibt Tieren Schutz und festen Stand.
Mal groß, mal klein, für Hirsch und Reh,
für Hasen schnell und Federvieh.
Ein sichrer Ort, man kann es seh'n,
wo Tiere friedlich leben geh'n.
(In green grass, spanned by fence, / lies safely there a piece of land. / The enclosure, well-known hence, / gives animals shelter and firm stand. // Sometimes large, sometimes small, for deer and roe, / for rabbits fast and feathered foe. / A safe place, one can see it so, / where animals peacefully go.)
❓ Little Riddle
Ich habe Grenzen, doch kein Land,
bin oft aus Draht, Holz oder Wand.
Ich halte Tiere, groß und klein,
damit sie sicher drinnen sein'.
Was bin ich? (Lösung: das Gehege)
(I have borders, but no country, / am often made of wire, wood, or wall sturdy. / I keep animals, large and small, / so they can safely stay inside for all. // What am I? – Solution: das Gehege)
🧩 Additional Information
Word Origin (Etymology):
The word "Gehege" derives from the Old High German word "hag" or "hac", meaning "enclosure" or "fence" (related to the English word "hedge" and German "Hecke"). The prefix "Ge-" often indicates a collection or a related area. The verb "hegen" (to care for, protect, enclose) is closely related.
Historical Significance:
Historically, Gehege were often large, fenced forest areas reserved for hunting by the nobility (Jagdgehege).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Gehege?
The correct article for Gehege is das. So it's das Gehege (Nominative singular) and die Gehege (Nominative plural).