das  Gift

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡɪft/

☠️ What does "das Gift" mean?

Das Gift (noun, neuter) primarily refers to a substance that is harmful or lethal to living organisms, i.e., a poison or toxin.

🚨 Warning: False Friend! Unlike the English word "gift", the German "das Gift" does not mean present. The German word for present/gift is "das Geschenk". This similarity often causes confusion for English speakers.

• Main Meaning: Harmful or lethal substance (e.g., Schlangengift - snake venom, Pflanzengift - plant poison, chemisches Gift - chemical poison).
• Figurative Meaning: Something that has a harmful or destructive effect (e.g., "Sein Neid war Gift für die Freundschaft." - "His envy was poison for the friendship.").

Article rules for der, die, and das

📝 Grammar in Detail: das Gift

"Das Gift" is a noun with the neuter article "das". It declines as follows:

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

The plural of "das Gift" is "die Gifte".

💡 Example Sentences

• Nominative: Das Gift wirkte schnell. (The poison acted quickly.)
• Genitive: Die Wirkung des Giftes war stark. (The effect of the poison was strong.)
• Dative: Er starb an dem Gift. (He died from the poison.)
• Accusative: Sie entdeckten das Gift im Getränk. (They discovered the poison in the drink.)
• Plural: Es gibt viele verschiedene Gifte in der Natur. (There are many different poisons in nature.)

🗣️ How is "das Gift" used?

"Das Gift" is used in various contexts:

• Biology & Chemistry: To denote toxic substances (e.g., Pflanzengifte - plant poisons, Schlangengift - snake venom, Arsen ist ein starkes Gift - Arsenic is a strong poison).
• Medicine: In relation to poisoning and antidotes (Gegengifte).
• Everyday Language (Figurative): For things perceived as harmful or unpleasant (e.g., "Das ist Gift für die Beziehung!" - "That's poison for the relationship!", "Darauf kannst du Gift nehmen!" - idiom meaning "You can bet your life on it!" or "You can be absolutely sure of that!").
• Agriculture/Household: Referring to pesticides or cleaning agents (e.g., Rattengift - rat poison, Insektengift - insecticide).

⚠️ Avoid confusing it with the English word "gift" (present). The German word for that is "das Geschenk".

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Gift"

Article Mnemonic: Think of poison as a neutral, impersonal substance, often chemical. Neutral things in German often take the neuter article "das". So, it's das Gift.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine receiving a beautifully wrapped English "gift". You open it, and inside is... ☠️ a bottle labeled "Gift" (poison)! This surprising and negative image helps remember that German "Gift" means poison, the opposite of a nice English "gift".

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms for "das Gift"

⚠️ Similar but Different Words:

• Das Geschenk: German word for the English "gift". Completely different meaning!
• Die Mitgift: (Dowry) - Property or money brought by a bride to her husband on their marriage. Sounds similar but unrelated to poison.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Warum haben Sie Ihre Schwiegermutter mit Gift ermordet?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Es war ein Versehen. Ich dachte, es wäre Gegengift!"

English Translation: The judge asks the defendant: "Why did you murder your mother-in-law with poison?"
The defendant replies: "It was an accident. I thought it was the antidote!"

📜 Poem about "das Gift"

German:
Manchmal süß, manchmal bitter,
Schleicht sich's an, ein leises Gewitter.
Das Gift, versteckt in Blüt' und Tier,
Bringt Gefahr, das wissen wir.
Ob im Trank, ob im Wort,
Es wirkt an manchem dunklen Ort.
Doch Wissen ist das Gegengift,
Das die dunkle Macht zerbricht.

English Translation:
Sometimes sweet, sometimes bitter,
It creeps up, a quiet thunderstorm.
The poison, hidden in flower and beast,
Brings danger, this we know at least.
Whether in drink, or in a word,
It works in many dark places unheard.
But knowledge is the antidote,
That breaks the dark power, note for note.

❓ Riddle Time

German:
Ich kann töten, ohne zu schlagen,
Kann in Pflanzen und Tieren lagen.
Manchmal bin ich Medizin in kleiner Dosis,
Doch meistens bin ich etwas Böses.
Im Deutschen heiß ich anders als im Englischen ein Präsent,
Pass gut auf, sonst ist's zu spät, mein Freund!

Was bin ich? (Lösung: das Gift)

English Translation:
I can kill without striking a blow,
In plants and animals, I can grow.
Sometimes I'm medicine in a tiny dose,
But mostly I'm something quite morose.
In German, I'm not what in English is a present sent,
Be careful, or it's too late, my friend!

What am I? (Answer: das Gift)

🤓 Trivia & More Info

Etymology: The German word "Gift" comes from the Old High German word "gift", which originally meant "gift" or "present" (related to the verb "geben" - to give). The meaning shifted through "administered dose" (often a magic potion, later also a poisoned drink) to the current negative meaning of "poison". English "gift" retained the original positive meaning.

Idiom: "Darauf kannst du Gift nehmen" literally means "You can take poison on that", but idiomatically it means "You can bet your life on it" or "You can be absolutely sure of that".

Compound Words (Komposita): "Gift" forms part of many German compound words, e.g., Giftgas (poison gas), Giftschlange (poisonous snake), giftgrün (poison green - a vivid green colour), Giftmord (murder by poisoning), Giftzahn (poison fang), vergiftet (poisoned).