der  Buchs

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bʊks/

🌳 What does 'der Buchs' mean?

Der Buchs generally refers to the boxwood plant (Latin: Buxus sempervirens), an evergreen shrub or small tree often used for hedges or topiary. It is a masculine noun in German.

Although the word "Buchs" itself can sometimes generically refer to the wood of the boxwood tree, der Buchs primarily means the plant.

⚠️ Attention: Do not confuse it with die Büchse (can, container, box).

🧐 Grammar of 'der Buchs' in Detail

Der Buchs is a masculine noun. It follows the strong declension pattern.

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

The plural form 'die Buchse' is grammatically correct but rarely used for the plant itself. More commonly, people refer to 'Buchs' (uncountable amount) or 'Buchsbaum / Buchsbäume'.

Example Sentences

• Der Buchs in unserem Garten muss geschnitten werden.
  (The boxwood in our garden needs to be trimmed.)
• Der Geruch des Buchses ist sehr charakteristisch.
  (The smell of the boxwood is very characteristic.)
• Viele Schädlinge setzen dem Buchs stark zu.
  (Many pests severely affect the boxwood.)
• Wir pflanzen einen neuen Buchs als Hecke.
  (We are planting new boxwood as a hedge.)
• Die Gärtner formten kunstvolle Figuren aus den Buchsen. (Plural rare, better: '...aus Buchs.')
  (The gardeners shaped artistic figures out of the boxwoods.)

💡 How to use 'der Buchs'?

Der Buchs is mainly used in the context of gardens, parks, and botany.

• As a plant: People talk about planting, trimming, caring for, or diseases of der Buchs. Example: "Der Buchs ist leider vom Buchsbaumzünsler befallen." (Unfortunately, the boxwood is infested with the box tree moth.)
• As material (less common): Sometimes "Buchs" also refers to the dense, hard wood of the boxwood tree, although "Buchsbaumholz" is often more precise here.
• Topiary: Buchs is very popular for topiary (shaping into balls, cones, or figures).
• Hedges: Low hedges made of Buchs are often used to border flower beds.

Context: Usage is mostly limited to the botanical or gardening domain. The singular form is most common. The plural "die Buchse" is rare and can easily be confused with "die Büchse" (can/box). Often, "die Buchsbäume" is used instead when referring to individual specimens, or "Buchs" as a collective term.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Buchs'

For the article (der): Think of der Gärtner (the male gardener). Der Gärtner takes care of den Buchs. Both words have a masculine feel or association.

For the meaning: Buchs sounds a bit like "bush". Der Buchs is an evergreen bush.

🔄 Synonyms, Antonyms, and Similar Words

⚠️ Similar Sounding Words (Be careful!)

• die Büchse: Means can, tin, box, or (archaically) rifle. Completely different meaning and gender!

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Buchsbaum so viel Geduld?
Weil er weiß, dass er nur langsam wächst, aber dafür in Form bleibt! 😉

(Why does the boxwood have so much patience?
Because it knows it grows slowly, but stays in shape!)

📜 Poem about the Buchs

Der Buchs, so grün das ganze Jahr,
steht fest im Garten, wunderbar.
Als Kugel, Kegel, klein und fein,
lädt er zum Formschnitt freundlich ein.
Sein Duft ist herb, sein Holz so dicht,
ein grünes, edles Angesicht.

(The boxwood, so green all year round,
stands firm in the garden, wonderful.
As a sphere, cone, small and fine,
it kindly invites topiary.
Its scent is tart, its wood so dense,
a green, noble face.)

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich bin immer grün, auch im Winterkleid,
Der Gärtner formt mich mit Geschicklichkeit.
Man macht aus mir Hecken, dicht und klein,
Mein Name klingt fast wie ein Wort für „hinein“ (in eine Dose). Wer bin ich?

(I am always green, even in winter clothes,
The gardener shapes me with skill.
Hedges are made from me, dense and small,
My name sounds almost like a word for "into" (a can/box). Who am I?)

Solution: Der Buchs (boxwood)

Interesting Facts about 'der Buchs'

• Toxicity: All parts of the boxwood plant are poisonous, especially the leaves and bark. Be careful with children and pets!
• Wood: Boxwood timber is very hard, dense, and fine-pored. It was formerly used for woodcuts, musical instruments (e.g., flutes), and fine woodturning.
• Origin of the Name: The word "Buchs" derives from the Latin "buxus".
• Pest: In recent years, the box tree moth (Buchsbaumzünsler) has caused significant damage to boxwood populations in many regions of Europe.
• Place Names: There are towns named Buchs in Switzerland (e.g., Buchs SG, Buchs ZH), whose names possibly originate from the presence of boxwood trees.