die  Weide

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈvaɪ̯də/

🌿 What Does 'die Weide' Mean?

The German word die Weide has two main meanings:

1. A pasture or meadow: This refers to land primarily used for grazing animals like cows, sheep, or horses. It's a type of agricultural land (*landwirtschaftliche Nutzfläche*). You might hear terms like *Viehweide* (cattle pasture) or *Pferdeweide* (horse pasture). The verb *weiden* means 'to graze'.
2. A willow tree or shrub (genus Salix): Various species of willow trees or shrubs are also called *die Weide*. Famous examples include the weeping willow (*die Trauerweide* - *Salix babylonica*) or the common osier (*die Korbweide* - *Salix viminalis*), whose twigs are used for weaving. The well-known *Weidenkätzchen* (pussy willows) are the catkins (flower clusters) of the goat willow (*Sal-Weide*).

⚠️ *It's important to understand from the context which meaning is intended.*

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar Corner: Declining Weide

The noun die Weide is feminine. Here are the declension tables:

Singular

Plural

Example Sentences

• Meaning 1 (Pasture): Die Schafe grasen friedlich auf der Weide. (The sheep graze peacefully in the pasture.)
• Meaning 1 (Pasture): Nach dem Regen ist die Weide saftig grün. (After the rain, the pasture is lush green.)
• Meaning 2 (Willow): Die alte Weide am Teich spendet Schatten. (The old willow by the pond provides shade.)
• Meaning 2 (Willow): Aus den Zweigen der Weide werden Körbe geflochten. (Baskets are woven from the twigs of the willow.)

💡 Using 'die Weide': When and How?

The usage of die Weide strongly depends on the context:

• In an agricultural context, *die Weide* almost always refers to the grassland for animals. Common terms include *Weidewirtschaft* (pastoral farming), *auf die Weide treiben* (to drive onto the pasture), or *Weidezaun* (pasture fence).
• In a botanical or gardening context, *die Weide* means the tree or shrub (genus *Salix*). People talk about *Kopfweide* (pollard willow), *Trauerweide* (weeping willow), or *Weidenrinde* (willow bark, used medicinally).
• In nature / landscape descriptions, both meanings can occur. "*Eine Landschaft mit sanften Hügeln und Weiden*" (A landscape with gentle hills and *Weiden*) can include both grassland and trees, but often primarily implies the open grazing land.

Potential for Confusion: *The verb weiden means "to graze" (for animals) or, less commonly, "to feast one's eyes on" (e.g., *seine Augen an etwas weiden*).*

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Weide'

Article Mnemonic: *Think of 'die Wiese' (the meadow) – meadows are often pastures (*Weiden*). 'Wiese' is feminine, and so is 'Weide': die Weide. Also, plants (*die Pflanze*) are often feminine, like the willow tree meaning of 'die Weide'.*

Meaning Mnemonic: *Imagine animals grazing (German: *weiden*) in a wide open pasture – that's one meaning. For the other, picture the flexible, 'weeping' branches of a willow tree (*Weide*).*

🔄 Similar & Different: Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar sounding/looking words:

• *Der Weiderich* (Purple loosestrife): A type of flowering plant, unrelated to *die Weide*.
• *Das Waid* (Woad): A plant historically used for dyeing blue.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Bauer den Touristen: "Na, wie gefällt Ihnen das Landleben?"
Tourist: "Super! Aber warum haben Ihre Kühe keine Hörner?"
Bauer: "Tja, manche Rassen haben keine, bei anderen sägen wir sie ab, und bei diesen hier auf der Weide... das sind Pferde."

(Farmer asks the tourist: "Well, how do you like country life?"
Tourist: "Great! But why don't your cows have horns?"
Farmer: "Well, some breeds don't have them, for others we saw them off, and for these ones here in the pasture... they're horses.")

✍️ A Little Poem about the Willow

Am Uferrand, so sanft geneigt,
Die Weide ihre Zweige zeigt.
Im Wind sie leise rauscht und wiegt,
Wo drunter oft ein Schäfchen liegt.
Ob Baum am Bach, ob grünes Feld,
Die Weide prägt die Landschaftswelt.

(At the water's edge, so gently bent,
The willow shows its branches sent.
In the wind it softly rustles and sways,
Where often underneath a lamb stays.
Whether tree by stream, or field of green,
The willow shapes the landscape scene.)

❓ What Am I?

Mal bin ich ein Baum mit Kätzchen im Haar,
biegsam im Wind, am Wasser gern da.
Mal bin ich Land, wo das Vieh Futter frisst,
grün und ganz weit, wie du sicher schon weißt.

Was bin ich?

(Sometimes I'm a tree with catkins in my hair,
Flexible in the wind, by the water, I like it there.
Sometimes I'm land where the cattle eat their fill,
Green and so wide, as you surely know still.

What am I?
... die Weide)

ℹ️ Good to Know

• *Weidenkätzchen* (Pussy Willows): *The fluffy catkins (usually from the Sal-Weide / goat willow) are a popular symbol of spring in Germany and are often used in Easter bouquets.*
• *Korbweide* (Osier / Basket Willow): *The flexible twigs of some willow species (e.g., Salix viminalis) have been used for centuries to weave baskets (*Körbe*), furniture, and fences (*Weidengeflecht* - wickerwork).*
• Salicylic Acid: *Willow bark (*Weidenrinde*) contains salicin, from which salicylic acid and later acetylsalicylic acid (the active ingredient in Aspirin) were developed. Willow bark was therefore traditionally used as a pain reliever.*
• Word Origin: *The word 'Weide' (pasture) is etymologically related to the verb 'weiden' (to graze, to feed). The origin of the tree name is less clear but might relate to the flexibility of its branches (compare German 'winden' - to wind, 'wenden' - to turn).*