der  Gips

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡɪps/

🧱 What exactly is Gips?

The word der Gips has two main meanings in German:

1. Mineral & Building Material: It refers to the naturally occurring mineral (calcium sulfate dihydrate) and the building material made from it, used for things like stucco work (Stuckarbeiten), plaster (Putz), or plasterboard (Gipsplatten). Example: Die Wände wurden mit Gips verputzt. (The walls were plastered with gypsum/plaster.)
2. Medical Cast: It stands for the hard bandage applied to immobilize limbs in case of fractures (Knochenbrüche) or injuries (Verletzungen), often called a Gipsverband. Example: Nach dem Skiunfall musste er sechs Wochen einen Gips tragen. (After the skiing accident, he had to wear a cast for six weeks.)

Although both meanings use the same article 'der', the context (Kontext) is crucial for understanding.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of Gips in Detail

Der Gips is a masculine noun. The plural form is die Gipse.

Example Sentences

• Der Gips trocknet schnell an der Luft.
  (The plaster dries quickly in the air. - Material)
• Der Gips am Arm juckt furchtbar.
  (The cast on the arm itches terribly. - Cast)
• Der Künstler formte eine Skulptur aus dem Gips.
  (The artist formed a sculpture out of the plaster. - Material)
• Der Arzt legte den Gips vorsichtig an.
  (The doctor carefully applied the cast. - Cast)
• Die Qualität des Gipses ist entscheidend für die Stabilität.
  (The quality of the plaster is crucial for stability. - Material)
• Viele Patienten unterschreiben auf den Gipsen ihrer Freunde.
  (Many patients sign on their friends' casts. - Cast)

🛠️ How is Gips used?

The usage of der Gips heavily depends on its meaning:

• As Building Material/Material: Common in construction (Gipskartonplatten - plasterboard, Gipsputz - plaster), art (Stuck - stucco, Gipsabgüsse - plaster casts), and even dentistry (Gipsmodelle - plaster models). Here, Gips is referred to as a material (Werkstoff).
• As Medical Cast: Exclusively used in a medical context to immobilize body parts after injuries. Common phrases are „einen Gips bekommen“ (to get a cast), „einen Gips tragen“ (to wear a cast), or „der Gips muss abgenommen werden“ (the cast must be removed). Colloquially, the Gipsverband (plaster cast) is often simply called „Gips“.

⚠️ Confusion (Verwechslungsgefahr) is rare, as the context (construction site vs. hospital/doctor's office) is usually clear.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Gips'

Article Mnemonic: Think of 'der doctor' who applies der Gips. Or 'der builder' works with der Gips. Both are typically male roles (masculine article).

Meaning Mnemonic: Gips is hard (hart) like stone (material) and makes you stiff (steif) (cast) – imagine getting 'gypped' (sounds like Gips) by having your movement restricted by a hard cast.

↔️ Similar and Opposing Terms

Similar Words

• Gibs: Incorrect spelling of Gips. 🚨
• Gischt (die): Sea spray or foam, completely unrelated to Gips.

😂 A Little Gips Joke

German: Fragt der Arzt den Patienten mit Gipsarm: „Und, können Sie mit dem Gips Klavier spielen?“ Sagt der Patient: „Keine Ahnung, hab ich vorher auch nicht gekonnt!“

English Translation: The doctor asks the patient with the cast on his arm: "So, can you play the piano with that cast?" The patient replies: "I don't know, I couldn't play it before either!"

📜 Gips in Verse

German:
Ob an der Wand, so weiß und glatt,
Als Stuckateur ihn gestaltet hat.
Ob Arm gebrochen, Bein entzwei,
Der Gips, er macht es heil, juchhei!
Geduld ist nun die Tugend rein,
Bis Knochen wieder heile sein.

English Translation:
Whether on the wall, so white and smooth,
As a stucco worker shaped it, forsooth.
Whether arm is broken, leg in two,
The cast, it makes it heal, woo-hoo!
Patience is now the virtue pure,
Until the bones are whole once more.

❓ Gips Riddle

German:
Ich bin ein Pulver, weiß und fein,
Mit Wasser werd' ich hart wie Stein.
Ich schmück' die Decke, glätte Wand,
Und heil' den Bruch an Arm und Hand.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I am a powder, white and fine,
With water, I become hard as stone.
I adorn the ceiling, smooth the wall,
And heal the break in arm and hand for all.

What am I?(Solution: der Gips - plaster/cast)

💡 More about Gips

• Chemical Formula: Chemically, gypsum (Gips) is Calcium Sulfate Dihydrate (CaSO₄ · 2H₂O).
• Word Origin: The German word 'Gips' comes from the Latin 'gypsum', which in turn was borrowed from the Greek 'gýpsos' (γύψος).
• Forms of Gypsum: There are various natural forms of gypsum, such as selenite (Marienglas), satin spar (Fasergips), and alabaster (Alabaster).