die  Röhre

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʁøːʁə/

💡 What does "die Röhre" mean?

The word die Röhre (*feminine*) has several meanings:

• Tube, Pipe: This is the most common meaning. It describes a hollow, usually cylindrical body for conducting liquids or gases (e.g., Wasserleitung - water pipe, Abflussrohr - drain pipe). Example: Die Röhre unter dem Waschbecken ist undicht. (The pipe under the sink is leaking.)
• Electronic Component (Valve, Vacuum Tube): Formerly a central component in radios, amplifiers, and computers. Today, mainly found in specialized audio equipment. Example: Dieser alte Röhrenverstärker hat einen warmen Klang. (This old tube amplifier has a warm sound.)
• Picture Tube (CRT): Specifically the cathode ray tube in old television sets and monitors. Example: Früher schaute man Fernsehen "in die Röhre". (In the past, people watched TV "on the tube".) 📺
• Colloquial for tight Trousers (Skinny Jeans): Especially in the fashion world for very tightly cut trousers. Example: Sie trägt am liebsten Röhren. (She prefers wearing skinny jeans.) 👖
• Colloquial Idiom "in die Röhre gucken": Means *to get nothing, to be left out in the cold, to be disadvantaged*. Example: Wer zu spät kam, guckte in die Röhre. (Whoever arrived too late got nothing / was left looking.) 🤷‍♀️

🚨 Pay attention to the context to understand the correct meaning!

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar in Detail: die Röhre

Die Röhre is a feminine noun. The article is die.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Klempner repariert die Röhre im Bad.
   (The plumber repairs the pipe in the bathroom. - Accusative Singular, Meaning: Pipe)
2. Der Klang der Röhre im Verstärker ist einzigartig.
   (The sound of the tube in the amplifier is unique. - Genitive Singular, Meaning: Vacuum Tube)
3. Nach dem Gewitter mussten wir in die Röhre gucken, der Fernseher war kaputt.
   (After the storm, we were left looking into the tube (got nothing / TV was broken), the TV was broken. - Accusative Singular, Meaning: Picture Tube / Idiom)
4. Er hilft den Röhren im alten Radio wieder auf die Sprünge.
   (He helps the tubes in the old radio get going again. - Dative Plural, Meaning: Vacuum Tubes)
5. Die Röhren (Jeans) sind wieder modern.
   (Skinny jeans are fashionable again. - Nominative Plural, Meaning: Trousers)

🗣️ How to Use "die Röhre"

The use of die Röhre strongly depends on the context:

• Technology & Crafts: *Here, "Röhre" usually refers to a physical pipe or tube (*Wasserrohr* - water pipe, *Ofenrohr* - stove pipe). It is often more specific than the more general word *das Rohr*, but can be used synonymously in many cases. *Der Schlauch* refers to a flexible hose.*
• Electronics & Media: *Often refers to vacuum tubes or picture tubes (*Fernsehröhre* - TV tube, *Monitorröhre* - monitor tube). The expression "in die Röhre gucken" for watching TV is somewhat dated but still understood. The idiom "in die Röhre gucken" meaning "to get nothing" is very common.*
• Fashion: *As a short form for *Röhrenjeans* (skinny jeans) or generally very tight trousers. Rather colloquial.*

⚠️ The colloquial meaning for "trousers" or the idiom "to get nothing" should be avoided in formal contexts.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Röhre"

Article Mnemonic: *Think of the elegante, long tube – the ending -e is often a hint for feminine nouns in German, as in die Röhre.*

Meaning Mnemonic: *Imagine water flowing through a tube, or picture an old TV tube flickering. Both connect to the idea of a channel or screen.*

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but Different Words:

• Das Rohr: *Often synonymous, but *Rohr* is the more general term and can also refer to larger diameters (e.g., *Kanalrohr* - sewer pipe).*
• Der Schlauch: *Always flexible, unlike the mostly rigid *Röhre*.*

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Klempnerlehrling seinen Meister: "Meister, warum heißt die Röhre eigentlich Röhre?"
Meister: "Na, weil das Wasser da durch röhrt!" 🌊

Translation:
The plumber apprentice asks his master: "Master, why is a *Röhre* (pipe/tube) actually called a Röhre?"
Master: "Well, because the water *röhrt* (roars/bellows) through it!" (A pun, as *röhren* means to roar or bellow)

📜 Poem about the Röhre

Die Röhre, lang und manchmal alt,
Leitet Wasser, heiß und kalt.
Im Fernseher, da strahlte sie,
brachte Bilder, Fantasie.
Als Hose eng, figurbetont,
hat sie die Mode oft belohnt.
Doch guckst du rein und sie ist leer,
fällt dir das Warten ziemlich schwer.

Translation:
The tube, long and sometimes old,
Conducts water, hot and cold.
In the TV set, it used to shine,
Brought pictures, fantasy divine.
As trousers tight, showing the form,
It often weathered fashion's storm.
But if you look and it is bare,
Waiting becomes hard to bear.

❓ Riddle

Ich bin hohl, doch leite viel,
Bringe Wasser an sein Ziel.
Im alten Kasten zeigte ich das Bild,
Als enge Hose bin ich wild.
Wer bin ich?

Translation:
I am hollow, yet conduct a lot,
Bringing water to its spot.
In the old box, I showed the view,
As tight trousers, I am new (or wild).
Who am I?

Solution: die Röhre (the tube/pipe)

🤓 Other Information

• Etymology: *The word "Röhre" comes from the Old High German word "rōra", which also meant reed or pipe. It is related to the word "Rohr" (reed, pipe).*
• Compound Words: *There are many compound words with "Röhre", e.g.:* die Röhrenjeans (skinny jeans), der Röhrenverstärker (tube amplifier), das Röhrenradio (tube radio), die Röhrenfalle (pipe trap for animals), der Röhrenknochen (long bone in anatomy), der Röhrenpilz (bolete mushroom, type of mushroom with tubes instead of gills).
• Technology History: *The invention of the electron tube (Elektronenröhre) was a milestone in the development of radio, television, and early computers.*