die
Blutprobe
🩸 What Exactly is a 'Blutprobe'?
The German word Blutprobe (feminine, article: die) refers to a small sample of blood taken from a person or animal for medical or scientific examination. It's a common procedure in diagnostics (Diagnostik) to identify diseases (Krankheiten), check health values (Gesundheitswerte), or for other research purposes (Forschungszwecke).
There's only one article, die, for this word, which makes it simpler! It's a compound word made of Blut (blood) and Probe (sample, test).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
🔬 Grammar Deep Dive: Die Blutprobe
The noun „Blutprobe“ is feminine. The article is die. Here is the declension (Deklination):
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Blutprobe |
| Genitive | der | Blutprobe |
| Dative | der | Blutprobe |
| Accusative | die | Blutprobe |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Blutproben |
| Genitive | der | Blutproben |
| Dative | den | Blutproben |
| Accusative | die | Blutproben |
Example Sentences
- Der Arzt benötigt eine Blutprobe für die Untersuchung. (The doctor needs a blood sample for the examination.)
- Die Ergebnisse der Blutprobe werden morgen erwartet. (The results of the blood sample are expected tomorrow.)
- Mit dieser Blutprobe können verschiedene Werte bestimmt werden. (With this blood sample, various values can be determined.)
- Der Patient gab die Blutprobe im Labor ab. (The patient submitted the blood sample at the lab.)
- Mehrere Blutproben wurden zur Analyse eingeschickt. (Several blood samples were sent in for analysis.)
🩺 When and How to Use 'Blutprobe'?
The term Blutprobe is used almost exclusively in a medical (medizinisch) or scientific (wissenschaftlich) context.
- Medical Diagnostics: Most commonly, you'll hear the word at the doctor's office (beim Arzt) or hospital (im Krankenhaus). A Blutprobe is taken (Blut abnehmen - literally 'to take blood') to detect diseases or monitor health status (e.g., blood sugar - Blutzucker, cholesterol - Cholesterin, inflammation markers - Entzündungswerte).
- Research: In scientific studies (wissenschaftliche Studien), blood samples are used to obtain genetic information or test the effects of medications (Medikamente).
- Forensics: In criminal investigations (kriminalistische Ermittlungen), blood samples can be used for personal identification (DNA analysis - DNA-Analyse) or to detect substances (drugs - Drogen, alcohol - Alkohol).
Colloquially, people often just say "Blut abnehmen" (taking blood) instead of "eine Blutprobe nehmen" (taking a blood sample). The result of the analysis is often called "Blutbild" (blood count) or "Laborwerte" (lab results).
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
-
Remembering the Article: Think of the word "probe" in English. A scientific probe is often a delicate instrument. Associate this delicacy or the idea of "the examination" (which in German is die Untersuchung - feminine) with the feminine article die.
Die Probe (the sample/test) is feminine, so die Blutprobe follows suit. Easy, right? 😉
-
Remembering the Meaning: Imagine a doctor needing to "probe" your "blood" for information – a Blutprobe.
🔄 Similar Terms: Synonyms & Antonyms?
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Blutentnahme: Refers to the act of taking blood, not the sample itself, but often used synonymously in conversation.
- Blutabnahme: Similar to Blutentnahme, describes the act.
- Blutuntersuchung: Refers to the analysis of the sample, not the sample itself. (Blood test/examination)
- Bluttest: Short form for the examination of a blood sample. (Blood test)
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
A direct antonym is hard to find. Depending on the context, one might think of:
- Bluttransfusion / Blutspende: (Blood transfusion / Blood donation) Here, blood is given/transferred, not just a small sample taken.
- Injektion / Infusion: (Injection / Infusion) Here, something is put into the body, rather than taking something out.
⚠️ Caution: While Blutentnahme and Blutabnahme are often used interchangeably with Blutprobe in conversation, technically they refer to the process, whereas Blutprobe refers to the result (the collected fluid).
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Vampir einen Teilzeitjob im Labor?
Weil er dort kostenlos Blutproben bekommt! 🧛♀️
(Why did the vampire get a part-time job at the lab?
Because he gets free blood samples there!)
📜 A Little Poem about the Blutprobe
Ein kleiner Piks, ganz kurz und schnell,
für die Gesundheit, auf der Stell'.
Die Blutprobe, rot und klar,
zeigt, was im Körper wunderbar
oder nicht so Gutes war.
Das Labor gibt Antwort, Jahr für Jahr.
(A little prick, quite short and fast,
for health's sake, made to last.
The blood sample, red and clear,
shows what in the body, my dear,
is wonderful or brings a tear.
The lab gives answers, year by year.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin ein kleiner Teil von dir,
entnommen mit Nadel und Papier (oder Röhrchen hier).
Im Labor werd' ich analysiert,
damit der Arzt dich informiert.
Was bin ich?
(I am a small part of you,
taken with a needle and paper (or tube, it's true).
In the lab, I'm analyzed,
so the doctor keeps you advised.
What am I?)
Solution: Die Blutprobe (The blood sample)
🧩 Word Building Blocks and More
Word Composition:
The word "Blutprobe" is a compound noun (Kompositum), composed of:
The gender of the last part of the compound word, die Probe (feminine), determines the gender of the whole word: die Blutprobe.
Related Terms: Urinprobe (urine sample), Speichelprobe (saliva sample), Gewebeprobe (tissue sample/biopsy).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Blutprobe?
The German word "Blutprobe" is feminine, so the correct article is die. It means "blood sample" and refers to a small amount of blood taken for analysis (e.g., die Blutprobe - the blood sample, die Blutproben - the blood samples).