das
Gewebe
🧬 What does "das Gewebe" mean? 🧶
The noun das Gewebe has two main meanings:
- Biological/Medical: A group of cells with a similar structure and function, forming a unit together (e.g., Muskelgewebe - muscle tissue, Nervengewebe - nerve tissue). 🔬
- Textile: A fabric produced by weaving, a textile material (e.g., Baumwollgewebe - cotton fabric, Seidengewebe - silk fabric). 🧵
It is a neuter noun and always takes the article das.
⚠️ Be careful: Do not confuse it with das Gewerbe (trade, business).
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 Gewebe' in Detail
"Das Gewebe" is a noun of neuter gender (Neutrum). Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Gewebe |
| Genitive | des | Gewebes |
| Dative | dem | Gewebe |
| Accusative | das | Gewebe |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Gewebe |
| Genitive | der | Gewebe |
| Dative | den | Geweben |
| Accusative | die | Gewebe |
Example Sentences
- Biological: Der Arzt entnahm eine Probe des Gewebes zur Untersuchung. (The doctor took a sample of the tissue for examination.)
- Textile: Das Kleid ist aus einem sehr feinen Gewebe gefertigt. (The dress is made from a very fine fabric.)
- Biological (Plural): Verschiedene Gewebe bilden zusammen ein Organ. (Different tissues together form an organ.)
- Textile (Plural): Die Auswahl an bunten Geweben im Laden war riesig. (The selection of colorful fabrics in the shop was huge.)
🤔 When to use 'das Gewebe'?
Usage depends heavily on the context:
- In a medical or biological context, you talk about das Gewebe when referring to cell structures (e.g., Bindegewebe - connective tissue, Muskelgewebe - muscle tissue, Epithelgewebe - epithelial tissue). It is a specific technical term.
- In a textile context, das Gewebe refers to the result of the weaving process, i.e., a woven fabric. It often emphasizes the structure or type of production (e.g., Leinengewebe - linen fabric, Wollgewebe - woolen fabric). Here, it is often interchangeable with der Stoff (fabric, material), but Gewebe highlights the woven structure, while Stoff is more general.
Figuratively, one can also speak of a "Gewebe aus Lügen" (a web/tissue of lies), meaning a complex, interwoven structure of untruths.
💡 Mnemonics for 'das Gewebe'
For the article 'das': Think of das Microscope, under which you view das Gewebe (biological tissue), or das Webstück (the woven piece - textile). Many neuter German nouns end in -e (though this isn't a strict rule!).
For the meaning: Imagine how cells (bio) or threads (textile) *interweave* (verweben) – the result is das Gewebe.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms of Gewebe
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Biological: Zellverband (cell cluster), Zellstruktur (cell structure)
- Textile: Stoff (fabric, material), Tuch (cloth), Textilie (textile), Webstoff (woven fabric), Material
- Figurative: Geflecht (network, mesh), Struktur (structure), Verstrickung (entanglement, e.g., ein Gewebe aus Lügen - a web of lies)
🚨 Watch out for similar-sounding words!
Das Gewerbe: Means trade, business, or craft. Completely different meaning!
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Faden den Stoff verlassen?
Er fühlte sich im falschen Gewebe! 😉
(Why did the thread leave the fabric?
He felt he was in the wrong tissue/fabric! 😉 - This is a pun on Gewebe meaning both tissue and fabric.)
📜 A Short Poem about 'das Gewebe'
Aus Zellen fein, ein starker Bund,
das Gewebe macht den Körper kund.
Aus Fäden zart, in Mustern klar,
das Gewebe kleidet wunderbar.
(From cells so fine, a strong connection,
the tissue makes the body known.
From threads so tender, in patterns clear,
the fabric clothes wonderfully.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin Teil von dir, ganz tief und klein,
aus vielen Zellen werd' ich sein.
Ich kann auch Faden sein, ganz dicht,
und kleide dich bei Tag und Licht.
Was bin ich?
... Das Gewebe
(I am part of you, very deep and small,
from many cells I come to be.
I can also be thread, woven tight,
and clothe you in day and light.
What am I?
... Das Gewebe (tissue/fabric))
🧩 Other Information
Word Origin (Etymology): The word "Gewebe" derives directly from the verb "weben" (to weave). The prefix "Ge-" often indicates a result or a collective formation, meaning that which is created by weaving or an accumulation of something (like cells).
Compound Words: There are many compound words (Komposita) with "Gewebe", e.g., Bindegewebe (connective tissue), Muskelgewebe (muscle tissue), Nervengewebe (nerve tissue) (biological) or Baumwollgewebe (cotton fabric), Seidengewebe (silk fabric), Drahtgewebe (wire mesh) (material).
Summary: is it der, die or das Gewebe?
The correct article for the word "Gewebe" is always das. It is a neuter noun, regardless of whether it refers to biological tissue or textile fabric.