01
die Gabe
gift / talent
A special, innate ability or talent.
example
Sie hat die seltene Gabe, komplizierte Sachverhalte einfach zu erklären.
She has the rare gift of explaining complicated issues simply.
die Gabe
gift / dose
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
'Die Gabe' (the gift / dose) is the noun related to the verb 'geben' (to give). All meanings have to do with something that is 'given': a talent by nature, a gift by a person, or a dose of medicine by a doctor.
EXAMPLE
Er hat die Gabe, Menschen zum Lachen zu bringen.
He has the gift of making people laugh.
Sentence structure with 'zu'
When 'Gabe' (gift / talent) describes a talent, the ability is often expressed with an infinitive construction using 'zu'. The pattern is: 'die Gabe haben, etwas zu tun' (to have the gift of doing something).
EXAMPLE
Manche Menschen haben die Gabe, immer das Richtige zu sagen.
Some people have the gift of always saying the right thing.
Register
In the meaning 'Geschenk' (gift), 'Gabe' (gift / donation) is more formal and is often used in ceremonial or literary contexts. Typical examples are 'eine milde Gabe' (a charitable donation) or 'Gaben der Natur' (gifts of nature).
EXAMPLE
Die Organisation sammelt Gaben für bedürftige Familien.
The organization collects donations for families in need.
Context clue
This meaning of 'Gabe' (dose) is used almost exclusively in a medical context. Words like 'Arzt' (doctor), 'Medikament' (medication), 'Dosis' (dose), or 'verabreichen' (to administer) are clear signals for this meaning.
EXAMPLE
Nach der Gabe des Medikaments fühlte sich der Patient schnell besser.
After the dose of the medication, the patient quickly felt better.
Compare with
Gabe vs Opfer
victim / sacrifice
'das Opfer' and 'die Gabe' can both refer to something that you give to someone. In this meaning, however, 'das Opfer' is narrower: it belongs to a religious ritual and is offered to a deity. 'die Gabe' is more general and means a gift or donation, often in formal or ceremonial language. The words can be confused because a religious offering can also be a kind of 'Gabe'. But not every 'Gabe' is an 'Opfer'. For ordinary gifts, you would usually not say 'Opfer'.
Gabe
Die Gabe der Besucher wurde für die Renovierung der Kirche verwendet.
The visitors' donation was used for the renovation of the church.
Opfer
Im alten Tempel legten die Menschen ein Opfer für die Gottheit nieder.
In the ancient temple, people laid down an offering for the deity.
In real life
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