die
Glasscheibe
🔍 What does 'die Glasscheibe' mean?
Die Glasscheibe (noun, feminine) means a pane of glass or window pane. It refers to a flat sheet of glass typically used in Fenstern (windows), Türen (doors), Bilderrahmen (picture frames), or Vitrinen (display cases).
Its main purpose is usually to enclose a space while allowing light to pass through or enabling a view outside or of displayed items.
The word is a compound of Glas (glass) and Scheibe (pane, disc, slice).
There's only one article for this word: die. It's always feminine.
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 Glasscheibe
The noun 'Glasscheibe' is feminine. The article is die.
Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Glasscheibe |
| Genitive | der | Glasscheibe |
| Dative | der | Glasscheibe |
| Accusative | die | Glasscheibe |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Glasscheiben |
| Genitive | der | Glasscheiben |
| Dative | den | Glasscheiben |
| Accusative | die | Glasscheiben |
Example Sentences
- Der Ball flog durch die Glasscheibe des Fensters. (The ball flew through the window pane.)
- Nach dem Sturm mussten mehrere Glasscheiben ersetzt werden. (After the storm, several panes of glass had to be replaced.)
- Man konnte die Reflexion in der Glasscheibe sehen. (One could see the reflection in the pane of glass.)
- Er putzte die Glasscheiben der Vitrine. (He cleaned the glass panes of the display case.)
💡 Everyday Use
Die Glasscheibe is mainly used in the context of buildings and furniture:
- Fenster (Windows): The most common use. A Fensterscheibe is a Glasscheibe in a window frame.
- Türen (Doors): Many doors, especially patio or balcony doors, contain large Glasscheiben.
- Vitrinen/Schaukästen (Display cases): For protecting and presenting objects.
- Bilderrahmen (Picture frames): To protect pictures or photos.
- Trennwände (Partitions): In offices or modern homes, Glasscheiben are sometimes used as dividing elements.
Compared to 'Fenster' (the entire window unit including the frame), 'Glasscheibe' specifically refers only to the glass itself.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Think of the English word 'she'. A Scheibe (pane/slice) is often delicate, like 'she' might be perceived stereotypically. 'She' helps remember the feminine article 'die'. So, she is die Scheibe -> die Glasscheibe.
Meaning Mnemonic: It's literally in the name: A Scheibe (pane/slice) made of Glas (glass). Easy!
↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Fensterscheibe: (Window pane) Very common and often interchangeable, emphasizes the function within a window.
- Scheibe: (Pane, disc, slice) Short form, used when the context is clear (e.g., "Die Scheibe ist gesprungen." - The pane is cracked.).
- Glasplatte: (Glass plate/panel) More general, can also refer to tabletops, etc., but often used synonymously.
Potential Confusion
- Glastür: (Glass door) Refers to the entire door, not just the glass pane.
- Spiegel: (Mirror) While made of glass, it's coated to be reflective, not transparent like a Glasscheibe.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum gehen Skelette nie durch Glasscheiben?
Weil sie Angst haben, sich in tausend Stücke zu zerlegen! 😄
Why do skeletons never walk through panes of glass?
Because they're afraid of shattering into a thousand pieces! 😄
📜 Poem about the Glass Pane
Die Glasscheibe, klar und rein,
lässt Sonnenlicht ins Zimmer schein'.
Hält Wind und Regen draußen fern,
den Blick nach draußen hab' ich gern.
Doch fällt ein Stein, oh Schreck, oh Graus,
ist's mit der heilen Scheibe aus.
The pane of glass, clear and pure,
lets sunlight into the room secure.
Keeps wind and rain outside away,
I like the view outside the day.
But if a stone falls, oh dread, oh fear,
the intact pane is no longer here.
❓ A Little Riddle
Ich bin durchsichtig, aber fest,
halte Kälte ab wie Schädlingspest.
Man schaut durch mich, bei Tag, bei Nacht,
bin in Fenster und Türen eingebracht.
Was bin ich?
I am transparent, yet solid,
I keep out cold like a pest horrid.
You look through me, by day, by night,
I'm fitted into windows and doors tight.
What am I?
Solution: die Glasscheibe (the pane of glass)
✨ More Interesting Facts
Word Composition
The word 'Glasscheibe' is a compound noun, composed of:
Trivia
Modern Glasscheiben for windows are often Isolierglas (insulating glass units), consisting of two or three layers to improve thermal insulation. Sometimes special Sicherheitsglas (safety glass) like laminated safety glass (Verbundsicherheitsglas) or toughened safety glass (Einscheibensicherheitsglas) is used, which doesn't break into sharp shards upon impact.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Glasscheibe?
The word 'Glasscheibe' is always feminine. The correct article is die Glasscheibe.