die  Gülle

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈɡʏlə/

💧 What Exactly is Gülle?

Die Gülle refers to a liquid mixture of animal excrement (feces and urine) and water, primarily produced and used in agriculture as a fertilizer. It mainly arises in factory farming where animals are kept on slatted floors, and their waste flows through the slats into channels or pits below.

⚠️ Important: Gülle is rich in nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus) but can pollute water bodies and soil if applied improperly or in excess (over-fertilization). It can also contribute to air pollution through ammonia emissions. The intense smell is also characteristic.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📝 Grammar of "die Gülle"

The word "Gülle" is a feminine noun. The article is die.

It is mostly used in the singular as it refers to an uncountable substance. The plural ("die Güllen") is very rare and only used to differentiate between various types or origins of slurry, but it's uncommon in general language use.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural (Rare)

Example Sentences

1. Der Bauer fährt die Gülle aufs Feld.
   (The farmer spreads the slurry on the field.)
2. Der Geruch der Gülle lag in der Luft.
   (The smell of the slurry was in the air.)
3. Mit der Gülle werden die Pflanzen gedüngt.
   (The plants are fertilized with the slurry.)
4. Im Frühjahr wird viel Gülle ausgebracht.
   (A lot of slurry is spread in the spring.)

🚜 Everyday Usage

The term die Gülle is firmly established in the context of agriculture (Landwirtschaft). It's used when discussing fertilization, animal husbandry (especially pigs and cattle), and increasingly, environmental issues.

• Fertilization: "Der Landwirt muss die Ausbringung der Gülle genau planen." (The farmer must plan the application of the slurry carefully.)
• Environmental debate: "Zu viel Gülle kann das Grundwasser belasten." (Too much slurry can pollute the groundwater.)
• Smell: "Man riecht, dass nebenan Gülle gefahren wird." (You can smell that slurry is being spread next door.)
• Biogas: "Gülle wird auch zur Energiegewinnung in Biogasanlagen genutzt." (Slurry is also used for energy production in biogas plants.)

Compared to Mist (solid manure, often with bedding) or Jauche (liquid manure, primarily urine), Gülle specifically refers to the liquid mixture of feces and urine. However, colloquially, the terms are sometimes used interchangeably.

🧠 Mnemonics for Gülle

Article Mnemonic: Think of other feminine liquid substances, perhaps unpleasant ones like "die Jauche" (liquid manure/urine) or "die Brühe" (broth, sometimes implying a murky liquid). The ending "-e" on Gülle is a common (though not exclusive) indicator for feminine nouns in German.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine the liquid Gülle "gurgling" or "gullying" as it flows. Or associate the 'G' sound with 'gross' or the German 'Igitt!' (Yuck!), connecting it to the often unpleasant smell.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words (Potential for confusion):

• Galle: (die) Bile - A bodily fluid, unrelated to Gülle.
• Gilde: (die) Guild - An association, e.g., of craftsmen.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Bauer schlechte Laune?
(Why is the farmer in a bad mood?)

Er ist stocksauer, weil ihm jemand die Gülle gestohlen hat!
(He's furious because someone stole his slurry!)

(Pun: "stocksauer sein" means to be furious; "sauer" also relates to the nature of slurry/manure, and being angry about stolen Gülle).

📜 Poem about Gülle

Auf dem Lande, früh am Morgen,
(In the countryside, early morning,)
fährt der Bauer ohne Sorgen,
(The farmer drives without worries,)
mit dem Fass, gefüllt und schwer,
(With the barrel, full and heavy,)
bringt die Gülle kreuz und quer.
(Spreads the slurry far and wide.)
Stickstoff, Phosphor für das Feld,
(Nitrogen, phosphorus for the field,)
so wird Nahrung hergestellt.
(That's how food is produced.)
Auch wenn's riecht, ist's doch von Wert,
(Even if it smells, it's valuable,)
was der Boden sehr begehrt.
(What the soil desires much.)

❓ Riddle

Ich bin flüssig, braun und stinke sehr,
(I am liquid, brown, and smell very bad,)
komme meist vom Vieh daher.
(I usually come from livestock.)
Als Dünger werd' ich oft gebraucht,
(As fertilizer, I am often used,)
obwohl die Nase davon raucht.
(Although the nose fumes from it.)

Was bin ich? / What am I?
... Die Gülle / The slurry

💡 Other Interesting Facts

• Composition: Gülle mainly consists of water (approx. 90%), feces, urine, and feed residues. The exact nutrient composition depends on the animal species, feeding, and housing.
• Biogas: Slurry is an important feedstock for biogas plants (Biogasanlagen). Through fermentation, methane is produced, which can be used for electricity and heat generation. The digestate (Gärrest) can still be used as fertilizer.
• Legal Regulations: The application of slurry in Germany is strictly regulated by the Fertilizer Ordinance (Düngeverordnung) to minimize environmental pollution. There are closed periods (Sperrfristen, e.g., in winter) and quantity limits.