das  Tabu

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/taˈbuː/

🤫 What does 'das Tabu' mean?

The German word das Tabu (noun, neuter) refers to an unspoken rule or prohibition based on cultural, religious, or social conventions. It signifies a topic, action, or word that is considered inappropriate, sacred, or dangerous, and is therefore avoided or not openly discussed.

There is only one article for 'Tabu': das.

🧐 Grammar of 'Tabu' in Detail

'Tabu' is a noun of neuter gender (Neutrum). It is typically used with the article 'das'.

Declension (Deklination)

Example Sentences (Beispielsätze)

• In vielen Kulturen ist der Tod immer noch ein Tabu. (In many cultures, death is still a taboo.)
• Über Geld spricht man nicht – das ist oft ein gesellschaftliches Tabu. (One doesn't talk about money – that's often a social taboo.)
• Er hat ein Tabu gebrochen, indem er das Thema ansprach. (He broke a taboo by addressing the topic.)
• Es gibt viele Tabus rund um Sexualität. (There are many taboos surrounding sexuality.)

🗣️ How to use 'Tabu'?

'Das Tabu' is used to describe things that are considered untouchable, unspeakable, or forbidden within a society or group. It can refer to topics, actions, words, or even people.

Typical collocations:

• ein Tabu brechen: to break a taboo (to do or say something considered taboo).
• ein Tabu sein/darstellen: to be/represent a taboo (to be considered unspeakable or forbidden).
• etwas tabuisieren: to make something taboo (to declare or treat something as a taboo).

The term is often used in the context of social norms, ethics, religion, and psychology. It's important to understand that taboos are heavily culturally influenced and can change over time.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Here are a couple of mnemonic aids:

• For the article 'das': Think of other neutral German words for abstract concepts like 'das Verbot' (the prohibition) or 'das Geheimnis' (the secret). Imagine das big, invisible sign saying: "Do not talk about this!"
• For the meaning: "Ta-boo!" sounds like someone being scared – you're scared to mention or do something because it's a Tabu. Or think: "Talk about anything... but that!" (T-a-b-u).

↔️ Opposites and Similar Terms

😂 A Little Joke

Warum flüstern Archäologen auf der Ausgrabung?
Damit sie keine alten Tabus wecken!

(Why do archaeologists whisper at the excavation site?
So they don't wake up any old taboos!)

📜 Poem about the Taboo

Im Raume steht's, doch keiner spricht,
ein unsichtbares, schweres Gewicht.
Das Tabu, es schwebt so nah,
verbietet Worte, wunderbar
hält es den Mund fest zugenäht,
bis jemand Mut fasst, spät,
es bricht, benennt, was alle scheu'n,
und lässt die Wahrheit sich erneun.

(It stands in the room, yet no one speaks,
an invisible, heavy weight.
The taboo, it hovers so near,
forbids words, wonderfully
it keeps the mouth tightly sealed,
until someone gathers courage, late,
breaks it, names what all avoid,
and lets the truth renew itself.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Verbot, doch steh' in keinem Gesetz.
Man spürt mich im Raum, ein unsichtbares Netz.
Man spricht nicht von mir, doch jeder kennt meinen Bann.
Wer mich bricht, der wagt sich oft zu weit voran.

Was bin ich?

(I am a prohibition, but written in no law.
You feel me in the room, an invisible net I draw.
One doesn't speak of me, yet everyone knows my ban.
Whoever breaks me often ventures too far, my man.)

What am I?

Solution: das Tabu (the taboo)

💡 More about the Word

The word 'Tabu' originates from Polynesian languages (Hawaiian/Tongan 'tapu' or 'kapu') meaning something like „sacred“, „untouchable“, or „forbidden“. It became known in Europe through the travel reports of James Cook in the late 18th century and entered many European languages, including German (Deutsch).