das  Gewächshaus

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡəˈvɛçshaʊs/

What does "das Gewächshaus" mean? 🌱

A Gewächshaus (article: das) is a building with walls and a roof made mainly of transparent material like glass or plastic. It's used to grow or overwinter plants that need special climatic conditions (more warmth, protection from cold, wind, or pests).

Inside the Gewächshaus, solar radiation creates a warmer climate than outside (similar to the greenhouse effect), which promotes plant growth, especially for plants originating from warmer regions or those intended to be grown out of their normal season.

It's a typical word in the context of gardening (Gartenbau) and agriculture (Landwirtschaft). The direct English translation is 'greenhouse' or 'hothouse'.

Article rules for der, die, and das

Grammar Deep Dive: Das Gewächshaus

The word "Gewächshaus" is a noun and takes the neuter article das. It's a compound noun formed from "Gewächs" (plant, growth) and "Haus" (house).

Declension of "das Gewächshaus"

Here's how it declines (changes form) in different grammatical cases:

Note the umlaut (ä) and the "-er" ending in the plural form: die Gewächshäuser.

💡 Example Sentences

1. Im Gewächshaus wachsen Tomaten auch im Frühling. (Tomatoes grow in the greenhouse even in spring.)
2. Die tropischen Pflanzen überwintern im beheizten Gewächshaus. (The tropical plants overwinter in the heated greenhouse.)
3. Der Gärtner repariert das Dach des Gewächshauses. (The gardener repairs the roof of the greenhouse.)
4. Wir bauen ein neues Gewächshaus im Garten. (We are building a new greenhouse in the garden.)
5. Die botanischen Gärten haben oft mehrere große Gewächshäuser. (Botanical gardens often have several large greenhouses.)

Usage in Context CONTEXT

"Das Gewächshaus" is primarily used in these contexts:

• Gardening & Hobby Gardening: For growing vegetables, flowers, or herbs, often in private gardens or allotments. Example: Mein Nachbar hat ein kleines Gewächshaus für seine Gurken. (My neighbour has a small greenhouse for his cucumbers.)
• Agriculture & Nurseries: Large greenhouses for the commercial production of plants. Example: Diese Gärtnerei hat riesige Gewächshäuser für Schnittblumen. (This nursery has huge greenhouses for cut flowers.)
• Botanical Gardens & Research: For cultivating rare or exotic plant species and for scientific purposes. Example: Im botanischen Garten kann man Pflanzen aus aller Welt in den Gewächshäusern bewundern. (In the botanical garden, you can admire plants from all over the world in the greenhouses.)

Distinction from similar terms:

• Treibhaus: Often used synonymously with Gewächshaus, sometimes emphasizing accelerated growth ('treiben' means to force or push growth).
• Glashaus: Emphasizes the material (Glas = glass), often synonymous.
• Wintergarten: Usually a glass room attached to a house, also used as living space, but can house plants. The function is often mixed (conservatory/sunroom).
• Frühbeet: A low box with a glass or foil lid for starting young plants in spring (cold frame), much smaller than a Gewächshaus.

Memory Aids for Gewächshaus 🧠

Remembering the article "das":

Think of das Haus (the house). A Gewächshaus is a special type of house (for plants: Gewächse). Many basic building types in German are neuter (das Haus, das Gebäude - building, das Zelt - tent). So, it's consistently: das Gewächs-Haus.

Remembering the meaning:

Break down the word: "Gewächs" (plant/growth) + "Haus" (house). It's literally a house for plants (Gewächse). Quite logical! Think of it as a 'growth house'.

Synonyms & Related Terms ↔️

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• das Gartenhaus: A small house in the garden, usually for storing tools or as a recreational space (shed/summer house), not primarily for growing plants.
• der Wintergarten: A glass extension attached to a house, often used as additional living space (conservatory/sunroom).

A Little Joke 😄

DE: Warum nehmen Tomaten im Gewächshaus Sonnencreme?

Damit sie keinen Sonnenbrand bekommen und nicht zu Treibhaus-Tomaten werden! 😉🍅

EN: Why do tomatoes in the greenhouse use sunscreen?

So they don't get sunburned and turn into hothouse tomatoes! 😉🍅

A Little Poem 📝

DE:
Im Gewächshaus, warm und licht,
wächst die Pflanze, dicht an dicht.
Glas hält Kälte fern und Wind,
wo Tomate, Gurke sind.
Ein kleines Tropenparadies,
wo das Grün so herrlich sprießt.

EN:
In the greenhouse, warm and bright,
Grows the plant, packed ever so tight.
Glass keeps cold and wind afar,
Where tomato, cucumber are.
A little tropic paradise,
Where the green so lovely thrives.

Riddle Time 🤔

DE:
Ich habe Wände, doch kein Stein,
lass Licht und Wärme gern herein.
Im Winter schütz' ich zartes Grün,
lass Gurken, Paprika erblühn.

Was bin ich?

EN:
I have walls, but not of stone,
I let in light and warmth, well-known.
In winter, I protect tender green,
Let cucumbers, peppers bloom unseen (inside).

What am I?

Other Information 🤓

Word Composition:

The word "Gewächshaus" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Das Gewächs (plural: die Gewächse): Means plant or growth in general.
• Das Haus (plural: die Häuser): Means house.

So literally: A 'house for plants/growths'.

Cultural Notes:

Greenhouses (Gewächshäuser) are not only practical but often architecturally interesting, especially historical Orangerien or Palmenhäuser (palm houses) in botanical gardens (e.g., Kew Gardens, London, or Palmengarten Frankfurt).

Connection to Climate:

The term "Treibhauseffekt" (greenhouse effect), which describes global warming, is derived from how a Gewächshaus works: short-wave solar radiation enters, warms the interior, but the long-wave heat radiation cannot escape as easily.