die  Rose

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʁoːzə/

🌹 What does "die Rose" mean?

Die Rose (noun, feminine) primarily refers to a plant of the genus Rosa, known for its beautiful and often fragrant flowers. It's one of the most popular ornamental plants worldwide.

• Main meaning: The flower itself or the rose bush. Example: "Sie bekam zum Geburtstag rote Rosen geschenkt." (She received red roses for her birthday.)
• Figurative meaning: Symbolically, the rose often represents love, beauty, but also transience or pain (because of the thorns).
• Other contexts: It can also appear in compound words, like Windrose (compass rose) or Wasserrose (water lily, which is actually Seerose). However, these often have their own specific articles (e.g., die Windrose, die Seerose).

⚠️ There are no common confusions with other articles for the word "Rose" in its main meaning as a flower. It is clearly feminine.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📝 Grammar in Detail: Die Rose

The noun "Rose" is feminine. The article is always die.

Example Sentences

1. Die rote Rose blüht wunderschön im Garten. (The red rose blooms beautifully in the garden.)
2. Der Duft der Rose ist betörend. (The scent of the rose is captivating.)
3. Ich gebe der Rose Wasser. (I give water to the rose.)
4. Er schenkt seiner Freundin eine einzelne Rose. (He gives his girlfriend a single rose.)
5. Im Sommer sind die Rosen am schönsten. (In summer, the roses are most beautiful.)
6. Die Pflege der Rosen erfordert Geduld. (Caring for the roses requires patience.)
7. Bienen summen um die blühenden Rosen. (Bees buzz around the blooming roses.)

💬 How to use "die Rose"?

"Die Rose" is used very frequently, both literally and symbolically.

• Literally: When talking about gardens, flower arrangements, botany, or gifts. "Mein Nachbar züchtet preisgekrönte Rosen." (My neighbour grows award-winning roses.)
• Symbolically: In literature, poetry, and everyday life as a symbol of love, beauty, passion (often rote Rosen - red roses), purity (weiße Rosen - white roses), or friendship (gelbe Rosen - yellow roses). "Rosen sind das klassische Symbol der Liebe." (Roses are the classic symbol of love.)
• Idioms: There are several idioms, such as "Keine Rose ohne Dornen" (No rose without thorns - Nothing is perfect) or "auf Rosen gebettet sein" (to be bedded on roses - to lead a very comfortable, carefree life).
• Comparison: While 'Blume' (flower) is a general term, 'Rose' refers to a specific type of flower.

💡 Mnemonics for "die Rose"

Article Mnemonic: Think of beauty or love – often perceived as feminine concepts. DIE schöne Rose. The '-e' ending is often a clue for feminine nouns in German.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a romantic scene where someone presents a single, red Rose. The image of the flower is easy to remember.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but Different Words:

• Rosine (die): (Raisin) - Sounds similar, but is completely different.

😄 A Little Joke

German: Fragt die eine Rose die andere: "Glaubst du an Liebe auf den ersten Blick oder soll ich nochmal vorbeigehen?"

English: One rose asks the other: "Do you believe in love at first sight, or should I walk by again?"

📜 Poem about the Rose

German:
Die Rose rot, so wundervoll,
Ihr Duft die Luft erfüllt so toll.
Ein Dorn sticht leis', erinnert dran,
Dass Schönheit auch verletzen kann.
Im Garten blüht sie, stolz und fein,
Soll immer ein Symbol uns sein.

English Translation:
The rose so red, so wonderful,
Its scent fills the air so full.
A thorn pricks softly, reminds us then,
That beauty can also cause pain.
In the garden it blooms, proud and fine,
May it always be a symbol divine.

❓ Little Riddle

German:
Ich trage Dornen, doch bin schön,
Man kann mich oft in Gärten sehn.
Für Liebe steh' ich, rot und zart,
Wie heiß' ich wohl, auf meine Art?

English:
I wear thorns, yet I am beautiful,
You can often see me in gardens full.
I stand for love, red and tender,
What is my name, in my own splendor?

Solution: Die Rose (The Rose)

✨ Other Interesting Facts

• Etymology: The word "Rose" comes from the Latin rosa.
• Symbolism: The rose holds deep symbolic meaning in many cultures, often associated with love, secrecy (sub rosa - under the rose), beauty, and transience.
• Uses: Roses are not only used as cut flowers and garden plants but also for producing rose oil (Rosenöl), rose water (Rosenwasser), and rosehip tea (Hagebuttentee - from the fruit of the rose).