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
die Gabe
gift / donation
A gift or donation; often used in a more formal or ceremonial context.
EXAMPLE
Jeder Besucher erhielt eine kleine Gabe als Dankeschön.
Each visitor received a small gift as a thank-you.
die Gabe
dose
A specific, measured amount of a medication that is administered.
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt verordnete eine Gabe des Schmerzmittels alle sechs Stunden.
The doctor prescribed a dose of the painkiller every six hours.
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 Geschenk
gift
Geschenk and Gabe can both refer to something someone receives without giving anything in return. Geschenk is the neutral everyday word. In this meaning, Gabe usually sounds more formal or ceremonial and therefore fits especially well in official or elevated language.
Gabe
Als Zeichen unseres Dankes überreichen wir Ihnen diese Gabe.
As a token of our thanks, we present you with this gift.
Geschenk
Zum Dank gebe ich dir ein kleines Geschenk.
To thank you, I’m giving you a small gift.
In real life
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