die
Obhut
🛡️ What does 'die Obhut' mean?
Die Obhut refers to care, custody, protection, or safekeeping provided to someone or something. It implies a responsibility for the well-being or safety of a person (often children or vulnerable individuals) or an object.
It is frequently used in formal or legal contexts (e.g., child custody), but also in a figurative sense for general care and protection.
Although it only has one article (die - the feminine 'the'), the concept is clearly defined and always refers to this protective care.
🧐 Grammar of 'die Obhut' in Detail
The noun die Obhut is feminine. It is primarily used in the singular; a plural form is very uncommon and practically non-existent in everyday language.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Obhut |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Obhut |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Obhut |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Obhut |
📝 Example Sentences
- Das Kind wurde in die Obhut des Jugendamtes genommen. (The child was taken into the care/custody of the youth welfare office.)
- Die wertvollen Dokumente stehen unter meiner persönlichen Obhut. (The valuable documents are under my personal care/safekeeping.)
- Er vertraute seine Katze während des Urlaubs der Obhut seiner Nachbarin an. (He entrusted his cat to his neighbor's care during the vacation.)
- Dank der Obhut der Ärzte erholte sich der Patient schnell. (Thanks to the care of the doctors, the patient recovered quickly.)
💬 How to use 'Obhut'?
Die Obhut is often used in set phrases:
- jemanden/etwas in Obhut nehmen: To take someone/something into care or custody. (Often implies protection or taking charge. Example: Das Jugendamt nahm das Kind in Obhut. - The youth welfare office took the child into care.)
- unter jemandes Obhut stehen/sein: To be under someone's care or protection. (Example: Die Kinder stehen unter der Obhut ihrer Großeltern. - The children are under their grandparents' care.)
- jemandem etwas zur Obhut anvertrauen: To entrust something to someone's care. (Example: Ich vertraue dir meinen Schlüssel zur Obhut an. - I entrust my key to your care/safekeeping.)
Context: The word often carries a slightly formal or official tone, especially in legal contexts (custody, guardianship). However, it can also be used in everyday situations to express care and responsibility.
Distinction from similar words:
- Schutz (protection): Is more general and can also mean physical protection from danger, whereas Obhut emphasizes nurturing care.
- Fürsorge (care, welfare): Similar to Obhut, but Obhut often implies a greater degree of formal responsibility or supervision.
- Aufsicht (supervision): Focuses more on monitoring and control, while Obhut also includes active nurturing.
💡 Mnemonics for 'die Obhut'
Article Mnemonic: Think of die Mutter (the mother) – mothers often provide nurturing Obhut (care). 'Mutter' is feminine, just like 'die Obhut'.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone protectively holding a hat (German: Hut) oben (above) you or something valuable. This 'Ob-Hut' symbolizes protection and care.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Fürsorge: Care, welfare (emphasis on well-being).
- Schutz: Protection (general safety from harm).
- Aufsicht: Supervision (emphasis on monitoring).
- Gewahrsam: Custody, safekeeping (often legal, e.g., police custody, but also for objects).
- Betreuung: Care, looking after (regular provision of care).
- Hut: (in the sense of protection, archaic) "Unter jemandes Hut sein" - To be under someone's protection/care.
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Vernachlässigung: Neglect.
- Preisgabe: Abandonment, exposure (leaving someone/something to fate or danger).
- Gefahr / Gefährdung: Danger / Endangerment.
- Aussetzung: Abandonment, desertion (leaving someone helpless).
⚠️ Caution: Words like Besitz (possession) or Eigentum (property) are not synonyms, as Obhut describes responsibility for well-being, not ownership itself.
😄 A Little Joke
Der Richter fragt den Angeklagten: "Wollen Sie einen Pflichtverteidiger oder möchten Sie sich selbst verteidigen?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Wenn es Ihnen nichts ausmacht, hätte ich lieber jemanden, der mich gut in Obhut nimmt – vielleicht meine Mama?"
Translation: The judge asks the defendant: "Do you want a court-appointed lawyer or do you want to defend yourself?"
The defendant replies: "If you don't mind, I'd rather have someone who takes good care/custody of me – maybe my mom?"
📜 A Short Poem about Obhut
Ein kleines Nest, im Baum versteckt,
von Muttervogel wohl bedeckt.
Sie wacht und sorgt bei Tag und Nacht,
gibt ihren Küken Obhut, sanft und sacht.
Translation:
A little nest, hidden in the tree,
by mother bird well covered, you see.
She watches and cares by day and night,
gives her chicks care, gentle and light.
🧩 Riddle Time
Ich bin kein Schloss, doch biete Schutz.
Ich bin kein Arm, doch halte fest.
Man gibt mich Kindern, manchmal Schätzen,
Ich bin Verantwortung, kein bloßer Rest.
Wer bin ich?
(... Die Obhut)
Translation:
I am not a lock, yet I offer protection.
I am not an arm, yet I hold tight.
I am given to children, sometimes treasures,
I am responsibility, not just a leftover plight.
What am I?
(... Obhut / Care, Custody)
⚙️ Further Insights into Die Obhut
Word Origin: The word Obhut derives from Middle High German "ob(e)huot(e)". It is related to the verb hüten (to guard, protect, tend). The prefix ob- originally meant 'over' or 'at/by'. So, the meaning is roughly "the watch/guard over something".
Cultural Aspect: The concept of Obhut plays a significant role in the German legal system, particularly in family law (elterliche Sorge - parental care/custody, Vormundschaft - guardianship) and social law (Inobhutnahme - taking into care by the youth welfare office).
Formality: While usable in everyday contexts, Obhut often carries a more formal tone than simple words like Schutz or Fürsorge.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Obhut?
The word Obhut is always feminine, so the correct article is die. It describes care, custody, protection, or safekeeping and is often used in connection with responsibility for people or things. A plural form is practically non-existent.