das / der  Haschisch

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/haˈʃɪʃ/

🌿 What exactly is Haschisch?

Haschisch is the German word for hashish, the resin extracted from the female hemp plant (Cannabis). It's a concentrated form of cannabis product, usually consumed as a drug.

Article Choice:

• das Haschisch (neuter): This is the standard form recommended by the Duden dictionary and is the most common. It views the substance as a material (similar to das Gold - the gold, das Holz - the wood).
• der Haschisch (masculine): This form is less common but does occur, especially in older texts, colloquially, or regionally. It's considered a variant form today. ⚠️ It's advisable to use das Haschisch in formal contexts.

Haschisch contains psychoactive compounds, primarily Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and its possession, trade, and consumption are legally regulated or prohibited in many countries.

🧐 Grammar of Haschisch: The Details

The word "Haschisch" is a noun. It's often used without an article when speaking about the substance in general. When referring to a specific piece or quantity, or when grammatically necessary, an article is used.

Although das Haschisch is the standard form, the rarer masculine form der Haschisch is also declined here for completeness. Haschisch is usually an uncountable noun (Singularetantum); the plural is very rare and only used to denote different sorts or types.

Declension: das Haschisch (neuter - standard)

Declension: der Haschisch (masculine - rare)

(The plural for the masculine form is extremely uncommon and not listed here.)

Example Sentences:

1. Er wurde mit Haschisch erwischt.
   (He was caught with hashish.)
2. Das Haschisch, das sie fanden, war von hoher Qualität.
   (The hashish they found was of high quality.)
3. Der Geruch von Haschisch lag in der Luft.
   (The smell of hashish was in the air.)
4. Manchmal sprach er von dem Haschisch seiner Jugendzeit.
   (Sometimes he spoke of the hashish of his youth. - Rare masculine usage)

💡 Usage in Context

"Haschisch" is primarily used in contexts related to drugs, drug policy, crime, and sometimes medicine (medizinisches Cannabis).

• Standard Usage (das Haschisch): In news reports, official documents, scientific texts, and everyday language, "das Haschisch" is the correct and common form.
  Example: Der Zoll beschlagnahmte mehrere Kilogramm das Haschisch. (Customs seized several kilograms of hashish.)
• Rare Usage (der Haschisch): Occasionally found in older literature, certain regional dialects, or very colloquial contexts. It might sometimes carry a slightly pejorative or dated tone. It's not incorrect, but unusual.
  Example (rare): Er rauchte früher oft den Haschisch. (He often used to smoke hashish.)
• Comparison: "Haschisch" specifically refers to the resin, whereas "Cannabis" is the umbrella term that also includes marijuana (the dried flowers, often called "Gras"). "Marihuana" or "Gras" are often used interchangeably but technically refer to different products of the hemp plant.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

For the article: Think of "das Harz" (the resin). Haschisch is the resin of the plant. Most substances and materials in German are neuter (das Gold, das Öl, das Pulver) - including das Haschisch. Remember "der Haschisch" as a rare exception, like an old hat (der Hut) that's hardly worn anymore.

For the meaning: The word "Haschisch" comes from Arabic (ḥašīš), originally meaning "grass" or "herb". Imagine someone collecting the resin from a special "herb". The sound "Hash-ish" might also remind you of a soft hissing sound, perhaps when heated?

🔄 Synonyms, Antonyms, and Related Terms

Similar but Different Terms:

• Marihuana/Gras: Refers to the dried flowers and leaves of the cannabis plant, not the resin.
• Cannabis: The umbrella term for the plant and all products derived from it.
• Hanf: Often refers to the industrial hemp plant (fibers, seeds), which contains little to no THC.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Warum haben Sie das Haschisch geschmuggelt?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Herr Richter, haben Sie mal versucht, eine ganze Hanfplantage zu rauchen?"

Translation:
The judge asks the defendant: "Why did you smuggle the hashish?"
The defendant replies: "Your Honor, have you ever tried smoking an entire hemp plantation?"

📜 Poem about Haschisch

Aus fernen Ländern, sonnenwarm,
kommt es gepresst, hält dich im Arm.
Das Haschisch, dunkel, klebrig, schwer,
manch einer wünscht sich davon mehr.

Ein Duft steigt auf, würzig und dicht,
verändert langsam die Sicht.
Ob "das" ob "der", im Rauch vereint,
die Wirkung bleibt, wie's scheint.

Translation:
From distant lands, warmed by the sun,
it comes compressed, holds you in its arm.
The hashish, dark, sticky, heavy,
some wish for more of it already.

A scent arises, spicy and dense,
slowly changing one's sense.
Whether "das" or "der", united in smoke,
the effect remains, it seems, no joke.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Harz, doch nicht vom Baum,
verändere die Welt, wie einen Traum.
Mal bin ich "das", mal heiß ich "der",
mein Ursprung liegt im Pflanzenmeer.

Was bin ich? ... Das Haschisch

Translation:
I am a resin, but not from a tree,
I change the world, like a dream, you see.
Sometimes I'm "das", sometimes called "der",
my origin lies in the plant sea, over there.

What am I? ... Hashish

💡 Other Information

• Etymology: The word "Haschisch" comes from the Arabic word حشيش (ḥašīš), which originally means "grass" or "dry herb".
• History: The use of hashish has a long history, especially in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia, for medicinal, recreational, and ritual purposes.
• Legal Status: Possession and sale of Haschisch are illegal in Germany and many other countries, but subject to changing legislation (keyword: Cannabislegalisierung - cannabis legalization).