die  Geburt

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡəˈbʊʁt/

👶 What does 'die Geburt' mean?

Die Geburt (noun, feminine) primarily refers to the act of giving birth, the process of bringing a living being (human or animal) into the world.

• Main meaning: The biological act of giving birth. Example: Die Geburt ihres Sohnes war ein besonderes Ereignis. (The birth of her son was a special event.)
• Figurative meaning: The beginning, emergence, or origin of something. Example: Das war die Geburt einer neuen Idee. (That was the birth of a new idea.)
• Ancestry/Origin: Rarely used, refers to social origin. Example: Er war von adliger Geburt. (He was of noble birth.) (Rather archaic)

⚠️ Be careful not to confuse die Geburt with das Gebot (commandment, bid) or der Bart (beard).

📝 Grammar Corner: die Geburt

The word "Geburt" is a feminine noun. The article is always die.

Declension

Example Sentences

1. Die Geburt verlief ohne Komplikationen.
   (The birth went without complications.)
2. Wir feiern den Jahrestag der Geburt unserer Tochter.
   (We celebrate the anniversary of our daughter's birth.)
3. Nach der Geburt braucht die Mutter viel Ruhe.
   (After the birth, the mother needs a lot of rest.)
4. Der Arzt bereitete die Geburt vor.
   (The doctor prepared for the birth.)
5. In diesem Krankenhaus gibt es viele Geburten pro Jahr.
   (There are many births per year in this hospital.)
6. Die Statistik der Geburten zeigt einen Anstieg.
   (The statistics of births show an increase.)
7. Man gratuliert den Eltern zu den glücklichen Geburten.
   (One congratulates the parents on the happy births.)
8. Das Krankenhaus dokumentiert alle Geburten.
   (The hospital documents all births.)

🗣️ Using 'Geburt' correctly

• Medical context: In hospitals, with midwives, doctors (e.g., Geburtsvorbereitung - birth preparation class, Kaiserschnittgeburt - Cesarean birth).
• Family context: When talking about children, family, birthdays (e.g., Herzlichen Glückwunsch zur Geburt! - Congratulations on the birth!).
• Figurative context: When discussing the origin or emergence of ideas, projects, eras (e.g., die Geburt des Internets - the birth of the internet).
• Formal context: In documents like birth certificates (Geburtsdatum - date of birth, Geburtsort - place of birth).

Related terms include Geburtstag (birthday), Geburtsort (place of birth), Geburtsurkunde (birth certificate), Geburtshelfer/in (obstetrician/midwife).

The term Entbindung is often used synonymously but sounds a bit more clinical or formal.

💡 Memory Aids for 'Geburt'

1. Article Mnemonic: Think of die Mutter (the mother), die gives birth. 'Mutter' is feminine, and so is 'Geburt'. Alternatively, many nouns ending in '-t' after a consonant are feminine (die Fahrt, die Sicht, die Geburt).
2. Meaning Mnemonic: The word comes from 'gebären' (to give birth). Imagine something new breaking forth (part of the word: -burt sounds a bit like 'burst' or German 'bricht' - breaks). It's the moment new life or a new idea 'bursts' or emerges.

People say "Alles Gute zur Geburt!" (All the best for the birth!) – think of die Glückwünsche (the congratulations), die Freude (the joy) – feminine nouns that accompany the event.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Gebot (das): Commandment, rule; bid (at an auction).
• Gebirge (das): Mountain range.
• Gebaren (das): Behavior, conduct.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum feiern Störche nie ihren Geburtstag?

Weil sie immer nur zur Geburt kommen! 😉

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Why do storks never celebrate their birthdays?

Because they only ever come for the birth! 😉

(Play on words: Geburtstag = birthday, Geburt = birth)

📜 A Little Poem

Die Geburt, ein Wunder, leis und rein,
Ein neuer Anfang, zart und klein.
Aus Dunkelheit ins Licht hinein,
So soll das Leben glücklich sein.
Ein Schrei, ein Atemzug, so klar,
Ein neues Leben ist nun da.

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(The Birth, a wonder, soft and pure,)
(A new beginning, tender and small.)
(Out of darkness into the light,)
(So life shall be happy and bright.)
(A cry, a breath, so clear,)
(A new life is now here.)

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich bin ein Anfang, doch kein Start im Rennen.
Ich bringe Freude, manchmal auch Trennen (von der Nabelschnur).
Man feiert mich jährlich, doch bin ich nur einmal geschehn.
Was bin ich, das alle Lebewesen durchgehn?

Lösung: die Geburt

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I am a beginning, but not a start in a race.
I bring joy, sometimes also separation (from the umbilical cord).
I'm celebrated yearly, yet I only happen once.
What am I, that all living beings go through?

Solution: die Geburt (the birth)

✨ More on 'Geburt'

• Word Composition: The word "Geburt" is derived from the verb "gebären" (to give birth). The prefix "Ge-" often indicates a result or a completed process, and the suffix "-t" forms the noun.
• Cultural Significance: Births are central events in all cultures, often associated with rituals and celebrations.
• Statistics: The Geburtenrate (birth rate - number of births per woman or per 1000 inhabitants) is an important demographic indicator.