das  Getöse

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡəˈtøːzə/

🔊 What does 'das Getöse' mean?

'Das Getöse' refers to a loud, often continuous and unstructured noise or an uproar / tumult. It is usually perceived as unpleasant or disturbing. It can describe natural phenomena (like thunder, waves) or man-made noise (like loud machinery, an excited crowd).

It is a neuter noun and always takes the article 'das'.

⚠️ Attention: 'Getöse' is almost exclusively used in the singular, as it's a collective term for noise. A plural form ('die Getöse') is grammatically possible but extremely rare and uncommon.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'das Getöse' in Detail

'Das Getöse' is a neuter noun (sächliches Substantiv). It belongs to the group of nouns that often do not have a plural form or whose plural is very rare.

Declension (Deklination)

Example Sentences (Beispielsätze)

1. Das Getöse des Wasserfalls war ohrenbetäubend.
   (The din of the waterfall was deafening.)
2. Unter großem Getöse stürzte die alte Mauer ein.
   (With a great roar / amidst great clamor, the old wall collapsed.)
3. Das Getöse der feiernden Menge drang bis in unsere Wohnung.
   (The uproar of the celebrating crowd reached our apartment.)
4. Ich konnte wegen des Getöses auf der Baustelle nicht schlafen.
   (I couldn't sleep because of the noise / din from the construction site.)

🗣️ Everyday Usage: When to use 'Getöse'?

'Das Getöse' is used to describe a strong, often chaotic soundscape. It carries a slightly negative connotation, implying loudness and disorder in the sound.

• Nature: Das Getöse des Sturms (the roar of the storm), der Brandung (the surf), eines Gewitters (a thunderstorm).
• Crowds: Das Getöse einer Demonstration (the uproar of a demonstration), eines Konzerts (of a concert - if meant negatively), eines Marktplatzes (of a marketplace).
• Machines/Technology: Das Getöse von Baumaschinen (the din of construction machines), Fabriklärm (factory noise).
• Figurative: Sometimes used figuratively for a big fuss or commotion about something („viel Getöse um nichts machen“ - to make a big fuss about nothing).

Distinction from similar words:

• Lärm: General term for loud, disturbing noise. 'Getöse' is often more specific to a sustained, booming sound.
• Krach: Often a sudden, loud noise or also an argument/quarrel. 'Getöse' is usually more continuous.
• Tumult: Refers more to the unrest and chaos of a crowd, often involving loud shouting, which can cause 'Getöse'.

💡 Mnemonics for 'das Getöse'

For the article 'das': Think of 'das Chaos', 'das Durcheinander' (the mess), 'das Geräusch' (the sound) – all neuter nouns in German, just like 'das Getöse'.

For the meaning: Imagine something toasts (sounds like tost, related to Getöse) very loudly, making a huge din. Or picture someone covering their ears because something 'tost' (roars) so loudly – that's Getöse.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar, but potentially confusing words:

• Tosen (verb): Describes the action that leads to Getöse (e.g., „Das Meer tost“ - The sea is roaring).

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Bauarbeiter Ohrenstöpsel in der Kaffeetasse?
Damit er seine Ruhe vor dem morgendlichen Baustellen-Getöse hat!

(Why does the construction worker have earplugs in his coffee cup?
So he can have some peace and quiet from the morning construction site din!)

📜 Poem about Getöse

Des Donners Grollen, fern und nah,
Der Sturmwind heult, ist wieder da.
Die Wellen schlagen an den Strand,
Ein wildes Tosen, außer Rand und Band.
Maschinen dröhnen, laut und grell,
Der Stadt Lärmpegel steigt so schnell.
All dies zusammen, laut und böse,
Nennt man mit einem Wort: das Getöse.

(The thunder's rumble, far and near,
The storm wind howls, is here again.
The waves crash onto the strand,
A wild roaring, out of hand.
Machines drone, loud and shrill,
The city's noise level rises still.
All this together, loud and fierce,
Is called in one word: the din / das Getöse.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich habe keine Stimme, doch bin ich oft laut.
Ich entstehe durch Wellen, Sturm oder wenn man baut.
Manchmal komme ich von vielen Leuten auf einem Haufen,
Man hält sich die Ohren zu und möchte weglaufen.

Was bin ich?

(I have no voice, yet I am often loud.
I arise from waves, storms, or when people build.
Sometimes I come from many people in a crowd,
You cover your ears and want to run away.

What am I?)

Solution: das Getöse (the din / uproar)

🧩 Other Information

Word Formation (Wortbildung):

'Getöse' is what's known as a collective prefix noun (Kollektivpräfix-Substantiv). It is formed from:

• The prefix 'Ge-': This prefix is often used here to form nouns that express a collective, a repeated or continuous action (compare Gerede - chatter, Gelaufe - constant running, Geschrei - shouting).
• The verb stem of 'tosen': which means to roar, rush loudly, or make a din.

Together, 'Getöse' conveys the idea of a continuous, loud roaring or noise.