das  Kraut

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/kraʊt/

🌿 What exactly is "das Kraut"?

The word das Kraut (neuter gender) has several meanings in German:

• Herb/Plant: The most common meaning refers to a non-woody plant, often a medicinal or culinary herb. Example: Pfefferminz ist ein beliebtes Kraut für Tee. (Peppermint is a popular herb for tea.)
• Cabbage: Especially in compound words like Sauerkraut (pickled cabbage) or Rotkraut (red cabbage), it refers to cabbage. Example: Zu Eisbein gehört traditionell Sauerkraut. (Sauerkraut traditionally accompanies pork knuckle.)
• Weed: Colloquially, it can also mean unwanted plants in the garden. Example: Ich muss dringend das Kraut im Beet jäten. (I urgently need to weed the flowerbed.)
• ⚠️ Derogatory Term (outdated): Historically, "Kraut" (often plural "Krauts") was used as a derogatory term for Germans in English-speaking countries, especially during the World Wars. This meaning is highly negative and should absolutely be avoided!
• Mess/Jumble (Idiom): In the phrase "Kraut und Rüben" (literally 'cabbage and turnips'), it signifies a mess or chaos.

🧐 Grammar of 'das Kraut' under the Microscope

"Kraut" is a neuter noun and follows the strong declension pattern.

Example Sentences

• Im Garten wachsen viele verschiedene Kräuter. (Many different herbs grow in the garden.)
• Für die Soße benötigst du frisches Basilikum, das ist ein tolles Kraut. (For the sauce, you need fresh basil; that's a great herb.)
• Das Sauerkraut wird aus Weißkohl, also einem Kraut, gemacht. (Sauerkraut is made from white cabbage, which is a type of 'Kraut'.)
• Hier herrscht ein Durcheinander wie Kraut und Rüben! (It's a mess here like 'Kraut und Rüben'!)

When and How to Use "das Kraut"?

The usage of "das Kraut" heavily depends on the context:

• Botanical/Culinary: Most frequently used in connection with plants, cooking, and gardening. Here, it's neutral. Examples: Heilkraut (medicinal herb), Küchenkraut (culinary herb), Unkraut jäten (to weed), ein Kraut pflanzen (to plant an herb).
• Cabbage Dishes: In compound words like Sauerkraut, Rotkraut, Blaukraut, it specifically refers to cabbage.
• Idiom "Kraut und Rüben": Describes disorder or a jumble. Example: "Auf seinem Schreibtisch sieht es aus wie Kraut und Rüben." ("His desk looks like a complete mess.")
• ⚠️ Historical/Derogatory: The use as a slur for Germans is outdated and extremely offensive. It should be avoided under all circumstances. However, awareness of this historical meaning is important to avoid misunderstandings, especially when encountering older English texts or films.

Compared to Pflanze (plant), Kraut is more specific, usually denoting smaller, non-woody plants. Compared to Gemüse (vegetable), Kraut often refers to the seasoning parts (leaves, stems) or specifically to cabbage.

Memory Aids for "das Kraut"

Article Mnemonic: Think of something neutral and natural, like a plant itself – it's just 'the thing' growing: das Kraut. The neuter article das fits the general, natural concept of a plant.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine digging in the garden: you pull out das unwanted Unkraut (weed), smell das fragrant Küchenkraut (culinary herb), and later eat das tasty Sauerkraut (made from cabbage). They are all 'das Kraut'.

Similar and Opposite Words

Similar, potentially confusing words:

• Strauch: A woody plant branching near the ground (contrast to Kraut).
• Gras: A specific family of plants, often low-growing (can seem like a Kraut but is botanically distinct).

😂 A Little Herb Joke

Fragt ein Kraut das andere: "Na, wie geht's?" Sagt das andere: "Ach, lass mich in Ruhe, ich fühl mich heute total verkrautet!"

(One herb asks another: "Hey, how's it going?" The other says: "Oh, leave me alone, I feel totally 'verkrautet' today!" - 'Verkrautet' is a playful invention meaning tangled/messed up like weeds/herbs, or possibly hungover.)

A Poem About 'das Kraut'

Das Kraut

Im Garten klein, so grün und fein,
(In the garden small, so green and fine,) wächst still heran, im Sonnenschein.
(grows quietly, in the sunshine.) Mal würzig, mal als Heilung gut,
(Sometimes savory, sometimes good for healing,) das Kraut, es schenkt uns neuen Mut.
(the herb, it gives us new courage.)

Im Topf als Kohl, für Winterschmaus,
(In the pot as cabbage, for winter feasts,) treibt's böse Geister schnell hinaus.
(it quickly drives out evil spirits.) Ob Unkraut oder Edelzier,
(Whether weed or noble ornament,) das Kraut gehört zum Leben hier.
(the herb belongs to life here.)

Herb Riddle

Ich bin grün, doch nicht immer willkommen.
(I am green, but not always welcome.)
Ich würze Speisen, hab' Heilkraft vernommen.
(I season dishes, I'm known for healing power.)
Manchmal bin ich Kohl auf dem Teller,
(Sometimes I'm cabbage on the plate,)
manchmal nur Chaos, nicht heller.
(sometimes just chaos, not brighter.)

Was bin ich?
(What am I?)

(Solution: das Kraut)

💡 Other Interesting Info

Word Composition: "Kraut" is a base word found in many German compound nouns, e.g.:

• Sauerkraut (sour cabbage)
• Rotkraut/Blaukraut (red cabbage)
• Küchenkraut (culinary herb)
• Heilkraut (medicinal herb)
• Unkraut (weed)
• Fettkraut (butterwort, a carnivorous plant genus)

Etymology: The word derives from Old High German "krūt" and is related to words in other Germanic languages.

Cultural Significance: Herbs (Kräuter) have a long tradition in medicine (monastery gardens, folk medicine) and cuisine in many cultures.