das  Labor

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/laˈboːɐ̯/

🧪 What exactly is *'das Labor'*?

*Das Labor* (noun, neuter) refers to a specially equipped room or facility where scientific experiments, investigations, measurements, or technical work are carried out. *Labore* (laboratories) are often found in the fields of chemistry, biology, physics, medicine, technology, and pharmacy.

It's a place for research, development, and testing. The term derives from the Latin word 'labor', meaning 'work', 'effort', or 'toil'.

⚠️ Attention: Although English has 'labour' (work), the primary German meaning of 'Labor' is the physical place.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Check: Declension of *'das Labor'*

The word 'Labor' is a noun of neuter gender ('sächlich'). It is declined as follows:

🚨 Note: The plural can be 'Labore' or (less common, more colloquial or for foreign words) 'Labors'. 'Labore' is the more frequent and standard form.

Example Sentences:

1. Im Labor werden neue Medikamente getestet. (New medicines are tested in the laboratory.)
2. Die Ausstattung des Labors ist sehr modern. (The equipment of the laboratory is very modern.)
3. Wir arbeiten heute bis spät im Labor. (We are working late in the laboratory today.)
4. Der Chemiker betrat das Labor mit seinem Notizbuch. (The chemist entered the laboratory with his notebook.)
5. Viele Universitäten haben mehrere spezialisierte Labore. (Many universities have several specialized laboratories.)

🔬 When and How to Use *'das Labor'*?

'Das Labor' is mainly used in the context of science, research, technology, and medicine. It describes the physical place where specific, often experimental or analytical, work takes place.

• Science & Research: *Chemielabor* (chemistry lab), *Physiklabor* (physics lab), *Biologielabor* (biology lab), *Forschungslabor* (research lab).
• Medicine & Health: *Medizinisches Labor* (medical lab - for blood tests, etc.), *Dentallabor* (dental lab), *Krankenhauslabor* (hospital lab).
• Technology & Industry: *Prüflabor* (testing lab), *Entwicklungslabor* (development lab), *Fotolabor* (photo lab - dated), *Tonlabor* (sound lab).
• Education: *Schullabor* (school lab), *Universitätslabor* (university lab), *Sprachlabor* (language lab - although this often refers more to a room with technical equipment).

Figuratively, 'Labor' can also refer to a place where new things are tried out or developed, even if it's not a classic scientific laboratory (e.g., 'Kreativlabor' - creative lab).

Distinction: A 'Werkstatt' (workshop) is more focused on crafts or manual trades, while a 'Labor' typically involves scientific or highly technical procedures.

💡 Mnemonics for *'das Labor'*

For the article 'das': Think of the neutral setting for experiments. Science aims to be objective, kind of 'neuter' -> das Labor. Or think: *"It's **das** place for science!"*

For the meaning: Imagine someone saying: *"This difficult **labor** (work/effort, from Latin 'labor') needs a special room!"* -> *Das Labor* is the room for special (scientific) work.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms for *'das Labor'*

Similar but potentially misleading words:

• Die Arbeit: (the work/job) - Refers to the activity, not the place (although 'Labor' comes from Latin 'work').
• Die Werkstatt: (the workshop) - More for crafts or repairs.
• Das Büro: (the office) - Place for administrative work.

😂 A Little Laboratory Joke

DE: Warum nehmen Chemiker ungern eine Pause im Labor ein?
Weil alle Tassen schon besetzt sind – mit Reaktionslösungen!

EN: Why don't chemists like taking breaks in the lab?
Because all the cups (Tassen also means cups/mugs) are already occupied – with reaction solutions!

✍️ Poem about the Laboratory

DE: Im Labor, dem weißen Raum,
erwacht so mancher Forschertraum.
Mit Pipette, Glas und Mikroskop,
geht die Arbeit flott, im Galopp.
Es zischt, es blubbert, leuchtet grell,
Wissen wächst hier, blitzesschnell.
Das Labor, ein Ort, ganz klar,
wo Zukunft wird, Jahr für Jahr.

EN: In the lab, the room so white,
Many a researcher's dream takes flight.
With pipette, glass, and microscope's view,
The work goes fast, galloping through.
It hisses, bubbles, glows so bright,
Knowledge grows here, quick as light.
The laboratory, a place so clear,
Where future's made, year after year.

❓ Riddle Time: What am I?

DE: Ich habe Tische, doch kein Essen wird serviert.
Ich habe Gläser, doch kein Wein wird kredenzt.
Man trägt oft Weiß in mir, doch bin kein Krankenhausbett.
Hier wird geforscht, gemessen und probiert.

Was bin ich?

EN: I have tables, but no food is served.
I have glasses, but no wine is offered.
People often wear white inside me, but I'm not a hospital bed.
Here, research, measuring, and testing are done.

What am I?

Solution: Das Labor (The laboratory)

⚙️ More Interesting Facts

• Etymology: The word 'Labor' comes from the Latin word 'lābōr' (neuter), meaning 'work', 'effort', 'toil'. The modern meaning as a 'workspace for scientific experiments' developed later.
• Compound Words: *'Labor' is part of many German compound words that specify the type of lab: Chemielabor, Physiklabor, Biologielabor, Forschungslabor, Entwicklungslabor, Sprachlabor, Fotolabor, Dentallabor, medizinisches Labor, etc.*
• Safety Aspect: *Labore (laboratories) are often places with special safety regulations due to the materials used or experiments conducted (e.g., mandatory safety goggles, special ventilation).*