der  Gurt

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡʊʁt/

🧐 What does "der Gurt" mean?

Der Gurt is a masculine noun and refers to an elongated, usually flat strip of strong material like Leder (leather), Stoff (fabric), Kunststoff (plastic), or sometimes Metall (metal). Gurte (plural) serve various purposes:

• 📎 Fastening & Securing: They hold things together or in place. The most famous example is the Sicherheitsgurt (seatbelt) in a car, which protects occupants in an accident. Spanngurte (tension belts/straps) for securing cargo also belong here.
• 👖 Clothing & Fashion: As a Gürtel (belt), der Gurt holds trousers or skirts at the waist or serves as a fashion accessory.
• 🎒 Carrying & Holding: As a Tragegurt (carrying strap), it's used to carry bags, backpacks, tools, or weapons (e.g., Gewehrgurt - rifle sling, Kameragurt - camera strap, Werkzeuggurt - tool belt).
• 🧗‍♂️ Sports & Safety: Special belts like the Klettergurt (climbing harness) or the Fallschutzgurt (fall protection harness) are used for personal safety during certain activities.

So, there are many different types of Gurte, but the basic idea of a strong band for holding, securing, or carrying remains the same.

📝 Grammar of "der Gurt" in Detail

The word "Gurt" is a masculine noun. Its article is der. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

• Nominative: Der Gurt ist gerissen. (The belt/strap is torn.)
• Genitive: Die Schnalle des Gurtes ist aus Metall. (The buckle of the belt is made of metal.)
• Dative: Mit dem Gurt sicherte er die Kiste. (He secured the box with the strap.)
• Akkusativ: Bitte lege den Gurt an! (Please put on the seatbelt!)
• Plural: Die alten Gurte müssen ersetzt werden. (The old straps/belts must be replaced.)

🚗💨 How to use "der Gurt"?

"Der Gurt" is a versatile word. Here are typical contexts:

• Im Auto (In the car): Almost always refers to the Sicherheitsgurt (seatbelt). Common phrases are "Schnall dich an!" or "Leg den Gurt an!" (Buckle up! / Put on your seatbelt!).
• Bei Kleidung (With clothing): Usually means the Gürtel (belt worn with trousers/skirts). "Dieser Gurt passt gut zur Hose." (This belt goes well with the trousers.) Sometimes Germans prefer the word "Gürtel" here to avoid ambiguity.
• Beim Transport (During transport): Spanngurte (tension belts/ratchet straps) are used to tie down cargo on trailers or roof racks. "Zieh den Gurt fester!" (Pull the strap tighter!)
• Bei Ausrüstung (With equipment): Tragegurte (carrying straps) are found on bags, cameras, or tool bags. "Der Gurt der Tasche ist verstellbar." (The bag's strap is adjustable.)
• Im Sport/bei der Arbeit (In sports/at work): Klettergurte (climbing harnesses), Fallschutzgurte (fall protection harnesses) are specific safety equipment.

Distinction from similar words:

• Riemen (der): Often narrower and simpler than a Gurt, e.g., Lederriemen (leather strap), Uhrenriemen (watch strap). The distinction can be blurry.
• Band (das): A more general term for a flat strip of material, can also be thinner and less robust (e.g., Geschenkband - gift ribbon, Tonband - magnetic tape). See also das Band / der Band.
• Leine (die): Usually refers to a cord or line, often round, used for leading or tying (Hundeleine - dog leash, Wäscheleine - clothesline).

🚨 Pay attention to the context to understand the specific type of Gurt being referred to.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Gurt"

Remembering the article "der"

Imagine a strong man ('der Mann') wearing a heavy belt ('der Gurt'). Masculine man, masculine article: der Gurt. Alternatively, notice the 'r' sound: der Gurt - the 'r' often hints at masculine gender in German.

Remembering the meaning "Gurt"

The word "Gurt" sounds a bit like the English word "gird" or "girth". You "gird" yourself with a belt (Gurt/Gürtel) or are "girded" (held) by the seatbelt (Sicherheitsgurt) in a car. Think of how a seatbelt holds you securely.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Watch out for similar-sounding words:

• Grat (der): A narrow mountain ridge or a sharp edge. Sounds similar, but means something completely different.
• Grotte (die): A small cave or grotto.

😂 A Little Joke

Frage: Warum tragen Gürtel keine Hosen?

Antwort: Weil sie schon angeschnallt sind!

(Question: Why don't belts wear trousers? Answer: Because they are already buckled up!)

📜 Poem about the Gurt

Der Gurt, ein starkes, festes Band,
Hält sicher dich in seiner Hand.
Im Auto, lebenswichtig, klar,
Nimmt er die erste Wucht sogar.

Als Gürtel schmückt er deine Mitt',
Hält Hosen fest bei jedem Schritt.
Als Träger, Lasten er bewegt,
Ein Helfer, der viel Nutzen hegt.

(The belt, a strong, firm band,
Holds you securely in its hand.
In the car, vital, clear,
It even takes the initial impact's fear.)

(As a belt, it adorns your middle,
Holds trousers firm with every wriggle.
As a strap, it moves loads around,
A helper where much use is found.)

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich schnall' dich fest, ich halte dicht,
Mal bin ich Mode, mal Pflicht.
Im Auto bin ich dein Retter,
Bei Sturm und schlechtem Wetter.
An Taschen helf' ich tragen,
An Hosen auch, an vielen Tagen.

Was bin ich?

(I buckle you tight, I hold you fast,
Sometimes fashion, sometimes duty's cast.
In the car, I am your saviour,
In storms and bad weather's behaviour.
On bags, I help to carry,
On trousers too, on days that vary.)

(What am I?)

Solution: der Gurt (the belt/strap)

✨ More Information

Etymology

The German word "Gurt" comes from the Old High German "gurt" or "gurten," meaning "to gird." It is related to the English words "gird" and "girth." The Proto-Indo-European root *gher- means "to grasp, enclose."

Compound Words (Wortzusammensetzungen)

"Gurt" is very productive in forming compound nouns:

• Sicherheitsgurt (seatbelt)
• Hosengurt / Gürtel (trousers belt / belt)
• Spanngurt (tension strap, tie-down strap)
• Tragegurt (carrying strap)
• Klettergurt (climbing harness)
• Fallschutzgurt (fall protection harness)
• Werkzeuggurt (tool belt)
• Patronengurt (ammunition belt)
• Bauchgurt (hip belt on backpacks, abdominal belt - medical)