das  Gemüse

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡəˈmyːzə/

🥕 What does "das Gemüse" mean?

Das Gemüse is the German word for vegetables. It's a collective noun, meaning it refers to vegetables in general as a group or category (like *broccoli*, *carrots*, *spinach*, *tomatoes* - *botanically fruits, but often considered vegetables in cooking*).

It's almost always used in the singular form with the article "das" when talking about vegetables collectively. The plural form "die Gemüse" is very rare and typically used only in technical or specialized contexts to mean different *types* or *kinds* of vegetables (e.g., "Wurzelgemüse und Blattgemüse sind verschiedene Gemüse." - *Root vegetables and leafy greens are different kinds of vegetables*). In everyday language, people usually talk about "Gemüsesorten" (*types of vegetables*) instead.

🚨 Important: Even if you're referring to many individual items (lots of carrots, lots of peas), the word generally stays singular in German: "Ich esse gern Gemüse." (*I like eating vegetables.*) (Not: Ich esse gern Gemüses.)

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Das Gemüse

"Gemüse" is a neuter noun, so it uses the article das. It functions as a *Singularetantum* (a noun mostly used only in the singular) when referring to the general category of vegetables.

Declension Singular

*Use with the indefinite article is uncommon and usually refers to a specific type or serving, e.g., "ein feines Gemüse zum Hauptgang" (*a fine vegetable dish with the main course*).

Declension Plural

As mentioned, the plural "die Gemüse" is very rare and technical. In everyday German, there isn't a common plural form for the collective concept.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Das Gemüse auf dem Markt sah sehr frisch aus.
   (The vegetables at the market looked very fresh.)
2. Zum Abendessen gibt es heute Fisch mit Gemüse.
   (For dinner today, there's fish with vegetables.)
3. Der Anbau von eigenem Gemüse im Garten macht Spaß.
   (Growing your own vegetables in the garden is fun.)
4. Man sollte täglich mehrere Portionen Obst und Gemüse essen.
   (One should eat several portions of fruit and vegetables daily.)
5. Die verschiedenen Gemüse wurden nach ihrer Herkunft sortiert. (rare plural usage)
   (The different kinds of vegetables were sorted by their origin.)

🥗 How to Use "Gemüse"?

"Gemüse" is mainly used in contexts related to food, cooking, nutrition, and gardening.

• As a collective noun: It groups various edible plants. You buy "Gemüse" (*vegetables*), you eat "Gemüse".
• Health and Nutrition: "Gemüse ist gesund." (*Vegetables are healthy.*)
• Gardening: "Im Garten pflanzen wir dieses Jahr viel Gemüse an." (*We're planting a lot of vegetables in the garden this year.*)
• Contrast with Fruit: Gemüse is often contrasted with *Obst* (fruit). The distinction can be culinary (*savory vs. sweet*) or botanical (*fruit vs. other plant parts*).

It's typically used without an article when meant generally ("Ich mag Gemüse." - *I like vegetables.*), or with "das" when specific ("Das Gemüse in diesem Laden ist teuer." - *The vegetables in this shop are expensive.*).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Think of things that are generally neutral or collective in food: das Obst (*fruit*), das Getreide (*grain*), das Fleisch (*meat*)... and das Gemüse (*vegetables*). They often take "das". Or imagine *a* vegetable garden is *a* *müssen* (must-have) -> Ge-müse -> *das*.

Meaning Mnemonic: Gemüse sounds a bit like "Gee, moose!". Imagine a moose happily munching on a huge pile of *vegetables*. What's the moose eating? Gemüse!

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Sounding Words

Confusion is unlikely. Perhaps with "Gemüt" (das Gemüt = state of mind, disposition) – but the sound is only vaguely similar.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Was ist grün und rennt durch den Garten?
Ein Rasender Radieschen! 😄

English: What's green and runs through the garden?
A racing radish! 😄 (It's a pun: "rasend" means racing/raging, and "Rasen" means lawn.)

📜 Poem about Gemüse

German:
Rot, grün, gelb, so bunt und fein,
das Gemüse lädt uns ein.
Vom Acker frisch auf den Tisch,
Hält uns gesund, munter und frisch.
Karotte, Erbse, Paprika,
Vitamine sind stets da!

English Translation:
Red, green, yellow, so colorful and fine,
The vegetables invite us to dine.
Fresh from the field onto the table,
Keeps us healthy, lively, and able.
Carrot, pea, bell pepper bright,
Vitamins are always in sight!

❓ Riddle Time

German:
Ich bin kein Obst, doch oft gesund,
mal länglich, blättrig oder rund.
Man isst mich roh, gekocht, gedünstet,
mein Sammelname, wie du's wünschtest?
Ich wachse auf dem Feld, im Beet,
mein Artikel ist sächlich, nicht spät!

Wer bin ich?

English Translation:
I'm no fruit, but often healthy,
Sometimes long, leafy, or round and wealthy (in nutrients).
I'm eaten raw, cooked, or steamed,
My collective name, as you dreamed?
I grow in the field, in the garden bed,
My article is neuter, it's said!

What am I?
(Solution: das Gemüse - vegetables)

💡 Other Information

Etymology: The word "Gemüse" comes from the Old High German word "muos," which meant *mash* or *pulp*. Originally, it referred to cooked dishes, often made from plants. The prefix "Ge-" indicates a collection (similar to *Gebirge* - mountains, *Gewässer* - bodies of water).

Culture: Vegetables (Gemüse) play a significant role in German cuisine, whether as side dishes, main components of stews (*Eintöpfe*), or in salads. Regional specialties often feature locally grown types of vegetables.