der
Kürbis
🎃 What is a Kürbis?
Der Kürbis refers to a plant from the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae) and its fruit. Botanically speaking, the fruit is a berry (specifically, a pepo). However, in common usage, der Kürbis is often treated as a vegetable and used in various ways.
There are many different types of Kürbisse, including edible pumpkins/squash (like Hokkaido, Butternut) and ornamental gourds.
The word has only one article: der. So, it's masculine.
🧐 Grammar: Declining "der Kürbis"
The noun "Kürbis" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Kürbis |
| Accusative | den | Kürbis |
| Dative | dem | Kürbis |
| Genitive | des | Kürbisses |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Kürbisse |
| Accusative | die | Kürbisse |
| Dative | den | Kürbissen |
| Genitive | der | Kürbisse |
📝 Example Sentences
- Im Herbst kaufe ich gerne einen großen Kürbis.
(In autumn, I like to buy a big pumpkin.) - Wir schnitzen Gesichter in die Kürbisse für Halloween.
(We carve faces into the pumpkins for Halloween.) - Aus dem Kürbis machen wir eine leckere Suppe.
(We make a delicious soup from the pumpkin.) - Die Kerne des Kürbisses kann man rösten.
(You can roast the seeds of the pumpkin.)
💡 How to Use "Kürbis"
The term "Kürbis" is mainly used in the following contexts:
- Cooking and Nutrition: As an ingredient for Suppen (soups), Pürees (purées), Kuchen (cakes), or roasted as a side dish. (Speisekürbis - edible pumpkin/squash)
- Decoration: Especially in autumn and for Halloween, Kürbisse are hollowed out and used as lanterns (Jack O'Lanterns) or simply as decoration. (Zierkürbis - ornamental gourd, Halloweenkürbis - Halloween pumpkin)
- Gardening: When growing vegetables and plants.
Colloquially, the head is sometimes jokingly referred to as "Kürbis", but this is rather rare and informal.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Remembering the Article: Think of der (the) masculine king of autumn vegetables - der big, round Kürbis ruling the garden patch.
Remembering the Meaning: "Kürbis" might sound a bit like the English word "curb this". Imagine you "curb this" hunger with a huge bowl of pumpkin soup made from a Kürbis.
🔄 Synonyms and Related Terms
Synonyms
- Plutzer (regional, esp. Austria, for large, round fruits/vegetables)
- Depending on the type: Speisekürbis (edible pumpkin/squash), Zierkürbis (ornamental gourd), Hokkaido, Butternut, etc.
No Direct Antonyms
There are no direct opposites. However, you could contrast it with other types of fruits or vegetables, e.g., die Tomate (the tomato), der Apfel (the apple).
Related Terms
- Kürbiskern: Pumpkin seed.
- Kürbissuppe: Pumpkin soup.
- Kürbiskernöl: Pumpkin seed oil.
- Kürbisgewächs: Plant of the gourd family.
😂 A Little Pumpkin Joke
Was sagt ein Kürbis zu einem Geist an Halloween?
"Hohl mich hier raus!"
(Translation/Pun: "Hohl mich hier raus!" literally means "Hollow me out of here!" - a play on "Hol mich hier raus!" which means "Get me out of here!")
📜 A Pumpkin Poem
Orange, rund und groß im Feld,
Der Kürbis ist ein Held der Welt.
Im Herbst, da leuchtet er so schön,
Als Suppe wird er gern geseh'n.
Zu Halloween, mit Licht und Fratz',
Nimmt er im Dunkeln seinen Platz.
(Translation:
Orange, round and large in the field,
The pumpkin is a hero of the world.
In autumn, it glows so beautifully,
As soup, it is gladly seen.
At Halloween, with light and face,
It takes its place in the dark.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin meist orange, manchmal grün,
Wachse groß auf Feld und Flur.
Zu Halloween werd' ich zum Schreckgesicht,
Als Suppe wärm' ich dich.
Wer bin ich?
(Translation:
I am mostly orange, sometimes green,
Grow large in field and meadow.
At Halloween, I become a scary face,
As soup, I warm you.
Who am I?)
(Solution: Der Kürbis - The pumpkin)
💡 Other Interesting Facts about der Kürbis
- Botanical Curiosity: Although often treated culinarily like a vegetable, der Kürbis is botanically a fruit, specifically a type of berry (pepo).
- Variety: There are hundreds of pumpkin and squash varieties worldwide, differing greatly in shape, color, size, and taste.
- World Records: Competitions for the largest pumpkin are held annually, with some specimens weighing over a ton!
- Word Origin: The German word "Kürbis" comes from Old High German "kurbiz", which in turn derives from the Latin "cucurbita".
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Kürbis?
The German word for 'pumpkin' or 'gourd' is der Kürbis. It is a masculine noun. The plural is die Kürbisse.