das
Gewand
👗 What does "das Gewand" mean?
Das Gewand (noun, neuter) refers to a single garment or the entire attire of a person, often with a connotation of elegance, solemnity, or history. It's frequently used for special, traditional, or ancient clothing.
- Main meaning: Garment, often elaborate, historical, or ceremonial (e.g., Priestergewand - priest's vestment, Königsgewand - king's robe, Festgewand - festive attire).
- Figurative meaning: Appearance, guise, covering (e.g., "eine alte Idee in neuem Gewand präsentieren" – to present an old idea in a new guise).
Compared to "die Kleidung" (general clothing) or "das Kleidungsstück" (single item of clothing), "das Gewand" sounds more elevated or specific.
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 of "das Gewand" in Detail
"Das Gewand" is a neuter noun. It follows the strong declension pattern.
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Gewand |
| Genitive | des | Gewand(e)s |
| Dative | dem | Gewand(e) |
| Accusative | das | Gewand |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Gewänder |
| Genitive | der | Gewänder |
| Dative | den | Gewändern |
| Accusative | die | Gewänder |
💡 Examples
- Der König trug ein prachtvolles Gewand. (The king wore a magnificent robe.)
- Die Farbe des Gewandes war tiefrot. (The color of the robe was deep red.)
- Sie nähte an dem Gewand für die Theateraufführung. (She sewed on the costume for the theatre performance.)
- Im Museum bewunderten wir alte Gewänder aus dem Mittelalter. (In the museum, we admired old garments from the Middle Ages.)
- Die Geschichte wurde in einem modernen Gewand neu erzählt. (The story was retold in a modern guise.)
📜 When to use "das Gewand"?
"Das Gewand" is more specific than the everyday word "Kleidung" (clothing). Here are typical contexts:
- Historical clothing: When talking about clothing from past eras (mittelalterliche Gewänder - medieval garments).
- Ceremonial or official attire: For official or ritual clothing (das Priestergewand - the priest's vestment, das Richtergewand - the judge's robe).
- Theatre and Film: Costumes on stage or in movies are often referred to as Gewänder.
- Elevated language: In literature or formal speech to express elegance or specialness (ein seidenes Gewand - a silken garment).
- Figurative meaning: To describe an outer form or appearance that conceals or presents something else (Wahrheit im Gewand der Lüge - truth in the guise of a lie).
⚠️ Avoid using "Gewand" for everyday, modern clothes like jeans and T-shirts. For these, "Kleidung" or "Klamotten" (colloquial) are more appropriate.
🧠 Mnemonics for "das Gewand"
Article Mnemonic (das): Think of das as neuter - like a piece of cloth (das Tuch is also neuter) which is neutral until shaped. Or: Imagine a theater play: das Skript (script, neuter) describes das Gewand (neuter).
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone taking fabric and having "wandered" it around their body to create a garment - a Gewand. It's more than clothes; it's a covering, an attire.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Kleidung: General term for clothing.
- Tracht: Traditional or professional attire (e.g., folk costume, official uniform).
- Robe: Long, often formal garment (e.g., evening gown, judge's robe).
- Kostüm: Costume for a specific purpose (e.g., theatre costume, carnival costume).
- Aufmachung: (Figurative) Appearance, presentation, get-up.
- Ornat: Particularly splendid official garment/vestment.
⚠️ Similar sounding words:
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Lehrer: "Fritzchen, was ist der Unterschied zwischen einem Gewand und einer normalen Hose?"
Fritzchen: "Naja, wenn man ein Loch im Gewand hat, ist es tragisch. Wenn man ein Loch in der Hose hat, ist es modisch!"
Translation:
The teacher asks: "Fritzchen, what's the difference between a 'Gewand' (garment/robe) and normal trousers?"
Fritzchen: "Well, if you have a hole in your 'Gewand', it's tragic. If you have a hole in your trousers, it's fashionable!"
📜 A Poem about the Gewand
Im Schrank hängt alt und schwer,
das Gewand von Gestern her.
Aus Samt und Seide, fein gesponnen,
hat einst im Ballsaal Glanz gewonnen.
Es erzählt von Fest und Tanz,
von ritterlichem Helleglanz.
Ein stummer Zeuge alter Zeit,
gehüllt in Würd' und Seltenheit.
Translation:
In the closet hangs old and heavy,
the garment from yesterday.
Of velvet and silk, finely spun,
once gained splendor in the ballroom.
It tells of feasts and dances,
of knightly, bright glances.
A silent witness of old times,
wrapped in dignity and rarity's chimes.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich hülle Könige und Narren ein,
bin mal prächtig, mal ganz schlicht und klein.
Im Theater spiele ich gern mit,
und trage Geschichte Schritt für Schritt.
Mal bin ich Hülle, mal bin ich Zier,
sag, welches neutrale Wort such ich hier?
Lösung/Solution: das Gewand
Translation:
I clothe kings and fools alike,
Sometimes splendid, sometimes simple and slight.
In the theatre, I like to play along,
Carrying history, step by step, in song.
Sometimes I'm a cover, sometimes adornment so grand,
Tell me, which neuter word am I in this land?
✨ Other Information
Etymology: The word "Gewand" comes from Middle High German "gewant", a collective formation from "want", which originally meant "fabric" or "cloth". It is related to the verb "winden" (to wind, weave, or twist). So, the original concept was that which was wound around or woven for the body.
Cultural Significance: Gewänder (garments/robes) play an important role in many cultures for ceremonies, rituals, and indicating social status or profession.
Summary: is it der, die or das Gewand?
The correct article for "Gewand" is das: das Gewand (singular), die Gewänder (plural). It is a neuter noun often referring to elevated, historical, or ceremonial clothing or attire.