das
Gerücht
🗣️ What does "das Gerücht" mean?
Das Gerücht (noun, neuter) refers to an unconfirmed piece of information or news that is passed from person to person, but whose truthfulness is uncertain or doubtful. It often involves Klatsch (gossip), Tratsch (tittle-tattle), or a Halbwahrheit (half-truth) that can spread quickly.
There is only one article for this word: das Gerücht.
- Meaning: An unverified piece of news or assertion in circulation; a rumour or hearsay.
🚨 Caution: Gerüchte (rumours) can often be false and cause harm!
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 & Declension of "das Gerücht"
"Gerücht" is a neuter noun and takes the article "das". It follows the strong declension pattern.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Gerücht |
| Genitive | des | Gerücht(e)s |
| Dative | dem | Gerücht(e) |
| Accusative | das | Gerücht |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Gerüchte |
| Genitive | der | Gerüchte |
| Dative | den | Gerüchten |
| Accusative | die | Gerüchte |
📝 Example Sentences
- Hast du das neueste Gerücht über den Chef gehört?
(Have you heard the latest rumour about the boss?) - Es geht das Gerücht um, dass die Firma verkauft werden soll.
(There's a rumour going around that the company is going to be sold.) - Man sollte nicht jedes Gerücht glauben.
(One shouldn't believe every rumour.) - Die Gerüchte über seine Affäre erwiesen sich als wahr.
(The rumours about his affair turned out to be true.) - Er versuchte, die bösen Gerüchte zu zerstreuen.
(He tried to dispel the nasty rumours.)
💬 How is "Gerücht" used?
"Das Gerücht" is used to talk about unconfirmed information that is circulating. It often carries a negative connotation because Gerüchte can be false and damage the reputation of individuals or organizations.
Typical Collocations:
- Gerüchte verbreiten/streuen: to spread rumours.
- ein Gerücht geht um/kursiert: a rumour is going around/circulating.
- ein Gerücht in die Welt setzen: to start a rumour deliberately.
- Gerüchten Glauben schenken: to believe rumours.
- ein Gerücht dementieren: to deny a rumour officially.
- hartnäckiges Gerücht: a persistent rumour.
Compared to Nachricht (confirmed news) or Information (neutral), Gerücht implies uncertainty and lack of proof.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember "das Gerücht"
Remembering the article "das":
Imagine a neutral ghost (das Gespenst - also neuter) whispering a secret – that (das) is das Gerücht. Neuter things spread neuter rumours. Alternatively, think of 'das Gerede' (the talk/gossip) - Gerücht sounds similar and both are neuter nouns ('das').
Remembering the meaning:
A Gerücht sounds like someone 'rufed' (called or shouted - related to the German verb 'rufen') something out, but nobody is sure who or if it's true. It's just a vague 'call' in the crowd.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for das Gerücht
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Die Kunde (tidings, news - somewhat archaic)
- Das Gerede (talk, gossip - often derogatory)
- Der Klatsch / Der Tratsch (gossip, tittle-tattle - usually about private matters)
- Die Sage / Die Mär (legend, tale - often old, unconfirmed story)
- Die Halbwahrheit (half-truth)
- Die Spekulation (speculation)
- Die Mutmaßung (conjecture, assumption)
- Die Flüsterpropaganda (whispering campaign)
⚠️ Similar but different words:
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der eine Kollege den anderen: "Hast du schon das neueste Gerücht über mich gehört?"
Sagt der andere: "Nein, erzähl!"
"Sehr gut, dann ist es noch nicht bei dir angekommen!" 😂
One colleague asks the other: "Have you heard the latest rumour about me yet?"
The other says: "No, tell me!"
"Very good, then it hasn't reached you yet!" 😂
✍️ A Poem about Rumours
Ein Flüstern leis, ein Hauch im Wind,
das Gerücht beginnt geschwind.
Von Mund zu Mund, es eilt und fliegt,
ob's Wahrheit ist, die Frage wiegt.
Es wächst und rankt, wird groß und breit,
verletzt oft tief in kurzer Zeit.
Drum prüfe wohl, was man dir sagt,
bevor ein falsches Wort dich plagt.
A whisper soft, a breath of air,
the rumour starts beyond compare.
From mouth to mouth, it rushes fast,
if it holds truth, the question's cast.
It grows and climbs, spreads far and wide,
often hurts deep, with nowhere to hide.
So check with care what you are told,
before a false word makes you cold.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich habe keinen Mund, doch reise weit.
Ich habe keine Flügel, doch flieg' durch die Zeit.
Manchmal bin ich wahr, oft bin ich's nicht,
doch viele hören auf mein flüsternd' Gesicht.
Was bin ich?
I have no mouth, but travel far and wide.
I have no wings, but through time I glide.
Sometimes I am true, often I am not,
yet many listen to my whispering plot.
What am I?
Solution: Das Gerücht (The rumour)
💡 Other Interesting Facts
Word Origin (Etymology):
The word "Gerücht" comes from Middle High German "gerüefte", which meant something like "shouting" or "call". It is closely related to the verb "rufen" (to call, to shout). So, a Gerücht is essentially something that is 'called out' or passed along by calling, but whose origin and truthfulness are unclear.
Related Concept: Flüsterpost (Telephone Game)
The children's game "Stille Post" or "Flüsterpost" (known as "Telephone" or "Chinese Whispers" in English) perfectly illustrates how Gerüchte (rumours) can change and become distorted as they are passed from person to person.
Summary: is it der, die or das Gerücht?
The noun "Gerücht" is neuter, so it always uses the article "das". The correct form is: das Gerücht. The plural is "die Gerüchte".