der  Giebel

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈɡiːbəl/

🏠 What exactly is a 'Giebel'?

The German word der Giebel (masculine) refers to the upper, usually triangular part of a building's exterior wall located directly beneath the slopes of a pitched roof. It encloses the attic space at the front or rear face of the building.

In architecture, there are many different gable shapes (Giebelformen), which often define the style of entire eras or regions (e.g., Staffelgiebel - stepped gable, Schweifgiebel - curved gable).

There is only this one article, der, for the word Giebel in this meaning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar: 'Der Giebel' in Detail

The noun „Giebel“ is masculine. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

• Der Giebel des alten Rathauses ist reich verziert. (The gable of the old town hall is richly decorated.)
• Man sieht oft Vögel auf den Giebeln der Fachwerkhäuser sitzen. (One often sees birds sitting on the gables of the half-timbered houses.)
• Dem Architekten gefiel die Form des spitzen Giebels. (The architect liked the shape of the pointed gable.)

🛠️ How to use "Giebel"?

The word Giebel is primarily used in the context of architecture and construction. It describes a specific part of a building.

• Typical Contexts: House building (Hausbau), architectural descriptions (Architekturbeschreibungen), real estate listings (Immobilienanzeigen), historical texts about buildings.
• Risk of Confusion: Laypeople sometimes confuse the term with „Fassade“ (facade, the entire front view of a building side). However, the Giebel is only the upper section under the roof.
• Compounds: You often find the word in compound nouns like Giebelfenster (gable window), Giebeldach (gable roof), Treppengiebel (stepped gable), Fachwerkgiebel (half-timbered gable).

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: Imagine a big, strong der-bear balancing on the triangular Giebel. Or think: the gable GIVES (Gibt) the house structure - 'der Geber' (the giver) is masculine.

Meaning Mnemonic: 'Giebel' sounds a bit like the English 'gable', which is its direct translation. Or think of the 'peak' or 'pinnacle' of the wall - the Giebel is the wall's peak before the roof starts.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Similar, but different terms:

• Fassade: The entire facade or face of one side of a building.
• First: The ridge, the highest edge of the roof where the roof surfaces meet.

😄 A Little Joke about Gables

Warum haben Geister Angst vor Giebeln?
Weil sie nicht wissen, ob sie durch die Wand oder das Dach spuken sollen und im Dreieck stecken bleiben! 👻📐

(Why are ghosts afraid of gables?
Because they don't know whether to haunt through the wall or the roof and get stuck in the triangle!)

📜 A Poem about the 'Giebel'

Hoch ragt der Giebel in die Luft,
trägt stolz des Daches schräge Kluft.
Ein Dreieck klar, am Haus der Schluss,
gibt Schutz vor Regen, Wind und Guss.
Mal schlicht, mal Zierde, alt und neu,
bleibt er dem Haus stets treu.

(High juts the gable in the air,
proudly wears the roof's sloped lair.
A triangle clear, the house's end,
gives shelter from rain, wind, and downpour's send.
Sometimes plain, sometimes ornate, old and new,
it always stays to the house true.)

🧩 Who am I? A Riddle

Ich bin ein Dreieck an der Wand,
oft ganz oben, wohlbekannt.
Wo Dach und Mauer sich verbinden,
kannst du meine Form oft finden.

Was bin ich?

(I am a triangle on the wall,
often right at the top, known to all.
Where roof and masonry connect,
you can often find my shape, inspect.

What am I?)

✨ Other Interesting Facts

• Gable Shapes (Giebelformen): There is a variety of gable shapes reflecting architectural styles, e.g., the Treppengiebel (stepped gable, typical of Brick Gothic), the Schweifgiebel (curved gable, Baroque and Renaissance), or the simple Dreiecksgiebel (triangular gable).
• Word History (Wortgeschichte): The word „Giebel“ comes from the Old High German „gibil“, which possibly meant 'skull' or 'peak', alluding to the shape.
• Symbolism (Symbolik): In some cultures, gables were richly decorated to symbolize wealth or protection (e.g., with Giebelkreuzen - gable crosses or Pferdeköpfen - horse heads in Northern Germany).