das  Geschirr

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡəˈʃɪʁ/

🍽️ What does "das Geschirr" mean?

The German word das Geschirr primarily has two meanings:

1. Dishes/Tableware/Crockery: This is the most common meaning, referring to plates (Teller), cups (Tassen), bowls (Schüsseln), and other items used for eating and serving food and drinks. It's often used as a collective noun. Example: Nach dem Essen muss ich noch das Geschirr spülen. (After the meal, I still have to wash the dishes.)
2. Harness/Equipment for animals: This meaning refers to the equipment fitted to animals (especially horses or dogs) to lead or control them, or for pulling something (e.g., a Pferdegeschirr - horse harness, a Hundegeschirr - dog harness). Example: Der Bauer legte dem Pferd das Geschirr an. (The farmer put the harness on the horse.)

🚨 Although both meanings use the same article "das", the context is crucial to understand which one is intended.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "das Geschirr" in Detail

"Geschirr" is a neuter noun (sächlich) and takes the article das. It follows the strong declension pattern.

Declension (Singular)

Declension (Plural)

The plural "die Geschirre" is mainly used for the meaning "harness/equipment for animals" or when referring to different types or sets of tableware. For tableware in general, the singular form is typically used as a collective noun.

Example Sentences

• (Tableware) Stell bitte das saubere Geschirr in den Schrank. (Please put the clean dishes in the cupboard.)
• (Tableware) Das alte Porzellangeschirr meiner Großmutter ist sehr wertvoll. (My grandmother's old porcelain tableware is very valuable.)
• (Animal harness) Für unseren neuen Hund brauchen wir ein passendes Geschirr. (We need a suitable harness for our new dog.)
• (Animal harness, Plural) Der Sattler reparierte die verschiedenen Geschirre der Kutschpferde. (The saddler repaired the various harnesses of the carriage horses.)

💡 How to use "Geschirr"?

The usage of das Geschirr heavily depends on the context:

• In the household / During meals: Here, "Geschirr" almost always means plates, cups, bowls, etc. Common phrases include das Geschirr spülen (to wash the dishes), Geschirr abtrocknen (to dry the dishes), den Tisch mit Geschirr decken (to set the table with dishes). It's often treated as an uncountable noun (like "milk" or "water"). Example: "Wir haben nicht genug Geschirr für alle Gäste." (We don't have enough dishes for all the guests.)
• With animals: Here, "Geschirr" refers to the equipment for leading or harnessing. People talk about Pferdegeschirr (horse harness), Hundegeschirr (dog harness), or Schlittengeschirr (sled harness). In this context, the plural "die Geschirre" is more common. Example: "Die Zugpferde trugen schwere Geschirre." (The draft horses wore heavy harnesses.)

Distinctions:

• Besteck (cutlery): Refers only to knives, forks, spoons. While part of table setting, it's distinct from "Geschirr" in the narrow sense (though colloquially sometimes included).
• Töpfe und Pfannen (pots and pans): These are called Kochgeschirr (cookware), not Essgeschirr (tableware).

🧠 Memory Aids for "das Geschirr"

For the article (das): Think of das Set. A Geschirrset (set of dishes) consists of many pieces, but it's *one* set. Neutral items in a house are often neuter: das Haus (house), das Möbel (furniture), das Fenster (window), das Licht (light), and also das Geschirr. Or, think of it ending in -irr, which isn't a typical masculine or feminine ending, making 'das' a good guess.

For the meanings: Imagine you're eating from your fancy Geschirr (dishes), and suddenly a horse wearing its Geschirr (harness) comes and eats everything! A weird image connecting both meanings.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Geschirr

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Teller beim Psychologen angerufen?

Er hatte zu viele Sprünge in der Schüssel!

Translation:
Why did the plate call the psychologist?
It had too many cracks in the bowl!

(This plays on "Geschirr" including bowls/plates and the German idiom "einen Sprung in der Schüssel haben" - literally "to have a crack in the bowl", meaning "to be crazy/nuts".)

✍️ Poem about Geschirr

Das Geschirr, so rein und klar,
Steht im Schrank, wunderbar.
Teller, Tassen, groß und klein,
Warten auf den Sonnenschein.
Doch auch Pferde, stark und groß,
Tragen ihr Geschirr, famos.
Ob am Tisch, ob auf der Weide,
Das Geschirr dient beiden.

Translation:
The dishes, so pure and clear,
Stand in the cupboard, wonderful.
Plates, cups, large and small,
Wait for the sunshine.
But also horses, strong and large,
Wear their harness, fantastic.
Whether at the table, or in the pasture,
The Geschirr serves both.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich steh' auf dem Tisch, bin oft aus Porzellan,
oder helf' dem Pferd beim Zug im Plan.
Nach dem Essen werd' ich oft gespült,
oder hab' am Hundekörper kühl gefühlt.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I stand on the table, am often made of porcelain,
or help the horse with pulling according to plan.
After the meal, I am often washed,
or have felt cool on a dog's body.

What am I?

Answer: Das Geschirr

💡 Other Information about "das Geschirr"

Word Composition/Origin:

The word "Geschirr" comes from Middle High German "geschirre", which originally was a collective term for devices, tools, or equipment. The prefix "Ge-" often indicates a collection or totality (compare Gebirge - mountains, Gewässer - bodies of water). The specialization into tableware and animal equipment developed later.

Related Terms:

• Spülgeschirr: Dirty dishes needing to be washed.
• Kochgeschirr: Cookware (pots, pans, etc.).
• Einweggeschirr: Disposable dishes (paper plates etc.).
• Geschirrspülmaschine/Geschirrspüler: Dishwasher.