das  Weib

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/vaɪ̯p/

📖 What does "das Weib" mean?

Das Weib (neuter noun, plural: die Weiber) is a German noun with a complex history. Originally, it was a neutral, general term for an adult female person or wife, comparable to the English “woman” or “wife”.

Today, however, the term is considered archaic and is often perceived as derogatory or disrespectful (similar to the negative connotations of “wench” in English). ⚠️ Using it can easily be taken as offensive, especially outside of historical, literary, or very specific regional/dialectal contexts.

It still appears in some idioms or historical quotes, but in modern language, “die Frau” is the neutral and standard term.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Das Weib

The noun „Weib“ is neuter. It belongs to the strong nouns.

📝 Example Sentences

• Historisch: Im Mittelalter war das Weib dem Mann untertan.
  (Historically: In the Middle Ages, the woman (das Weib) was subservient to the man.)
• Abwertend: Er nannte sie verächtlich ein „dummes Weib“. ⚠️
  (Derogatory: He contemptuously called her a “stupid woman/wench” (dummes Weib).)
• Redewendung: Alte Weiber spinnen gern am Abend. (Proverb)
  (Idiom: Old women (Alte Weiber) like to spin yarns in the evening. - Meaning old women like to gossip or tell tall tales.)
• Plural: Die Weiber tratschten auf dem Markt.
  (Plural: The women (Die Weiber) gossiped at the market. - Can be neutral-historical or derogatory depending on context.)

💡 How is "das Weib" used?

The usage of „das Weib“ has changed significantly:

• Historical/Literary: In older texts (e.g., the Bible, fairy tales, medieval literature), „Weib“ was a neutral term for „Frau“ (woman) or „Ehefrau“ (wife). Example: „Und Gott der HERR baute ein Weib aus der Rippe, die er von dem Menschen nahm...“ (Genesis 2:22).
• Modern (mostly negative): Today, „Weib“ is predominantly perceived as derogatory, condescending, or offensive. It can reduce women to a purely physical or stereotypical role. 🚨 Be very careful when using it!
• Dialectal/Colloquial: In some southern German dialects or in very informal, often crude colloquial language, „Weib“ might still occur without a (strong) negative connotation, but it remains risky.
• Idioms: It can still appear in fixed expressions like „altes Weib“ (old woman/crone), „Mann und Weib“ (man and wife, archaic sense of married couple), or proverbs.

Comparison with „Frau“: „Die Frau“ is the neutral, respectful, and standard term for an adult female person in modern German. Always use „Frau“ when you want to speak neutrally or respectfully.

🧠 Memory Aids for "das Weib"

For the article "das": Think of other neuter words for people, often implying a category or some distance (even if not neutral today): das Mädchen (girl), das Fräulein (miss)... and also das Weib. While not a perfect fit (it's not a diminutive), perhaps the shared grammatical gender assignment despite biological sex helps.

For the meaning (and connotation): Imagine an old, dusty book (historical). When you open it, a little devil might jump out (negative/derogatory). The word „Weib“ is like this book: old and potentially problematic.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "Weib"

Similar but misleading words:

• weiblich: The adjective, meaning 'female', which is neutral.

😄 A Little Joke

Lehrer: „Wer kann mir ein altes Wort für Ehefrau nennen?“
Fritzchen: „Das Weib!“
Lehrer: „Richtig. Und warum benutzen wir das heute kaum noch?“
Fritzchen: „Weil sich die Weiber beschwert haben?“

Translation:
Teacher: "Who can tell me an old word for wife?"
Little Fritz: "Das Weib!"
Teacher: "Correct. And why do we hardly use it anymore today?"
Little Fritz: "Because the 'Weiber' complained?"

📜 A Little Poem

Das Weib, ein Wort aus alter Zeit,
Einst Frau und Gattin, weit und breit.
Heut klingt's oft rau, fast wie ein Hohn,
Die „Frau“ sitzt längst auf seinem Thron.
Doch in Geschichten, alt und grau,
Lebt fort die Mär von Mann und Weib, genau.

Translation:
Das Weib, a word from ancient times,
Once woman and wife, across the climes.
Today it often sounds rough, almost like scorn,
"Die Frau" has long sat on its throne.
But in stories, old and grey,
The tale of man and wife lives on today.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Wort, Neutrum im Schein,
Beschrieb einst Frau'n, ob groß, ob klein.
Heut' sagt man's selten, klingt oft schwer,
Wer's nutzt, wirkt leicht antiquitär.
Im Märchenbuch triffst du mich an,
Doch Vorsicht heut bei jedermann!

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I am a word, neuter in appearance,
Once described women, whether large or small.
Today it's rarely said, often sounds harsh,
Whoever uses it seems rather antiquarian.
In fairy tale books, you might meet me,
But beware today with everybody!

What am I? Answer: das Weib

ℹ️ Additional Information

• Etymology: The word „Weib“ comes from the Old High German „wīb“, whose origin is uncertain but may trace back to an Indo-European root meaning “to turn” or “to wrap” (perhaps referring to clothing or domestic activities).
• Related words: weiblich (adjective: female), verweiblicht (effeminate, often negative), Weiblichkeit (noun: femininity, womanhood).
• Weiberfastnacht: (Women's Carnival) A Carnival tradition, especially in the Rhineland, where women symbolically take over town halls. Here, „Weiber“ is often used traditionally and with less negative connotation.