01
das Gas
gas
A flammable gaseous substance, especially natural gas, used for heating, cooking, or as fuel.
example
Die neue Wohnung hat eine Heizung, die mit Gas betrieben wird.
The new apartment has a heating system that runs on gas.
das Gas
gas
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 04
Usage tips
False friend
Careful: 'das Gas' (gas) is not the same as the English 'gas' (gasoline). 'Gas' in Germany usually means natural gas for heating or cooking. What you put in a car is 'das Benzin' (gasoline/petrol).
EXAMPLE
Im Winter sind die Kosten für Gas immer am höchsten.
In winter, the costs for gas are always highest.
Context clue: plural
When 'Gas' (gas) means fuel for heating, it is almost always used in the singular as an uncountable noun. The plural 'die Gase' (gases) usually refers to different types of gases in chemistry or physics.
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen diesen Monat eine hohe Rechnung für Gas bezahlen.
We have to pay a high bill for gas this month.
Typical collocations
In everyday life, 'Gas' (gas) is often used in fixed combinations related to heating and cooking, for example 'der Gasherd' (gas stove), 'die Gasheizung' (gas heating), or 'der Gaszähler' (gas meter).
EXAMPLE
Viele Köche bevorzugen einen Gasherd, weil man die Hitze besser regulieren kann.
Many cooks prefer a gas stove because you can regulate the heat better.
Fixed expression
The expression 'Gas geben' (to accelerate / to step on it) means pressing the gas pedal in a car and speeding up. Colloquially, it is also used to say that someone should hurry up or make more effort.
EXAMPLE
Die Ampel ist grün, gib Gas!
The light is green, step on it!
Compare with
Gas vs Luft
air
'die Luft' and 'das Gas' are related because air consists of gases. Still, the words are not used in the same way. 'die Luft' normally means what we breathe outside or in a room. 'das Gas' more often means a specific gaseous substance, for example in chemistry, in heating, or when something may be dangerous. Learners may confuse the words because air is also a mixture of gases. In everyday language, however, you say 'frische Luft' (fresh air), 'schlechte Luft' (bad air), or 'Luft zum Atmen' (air to breathe), not simply 'Gas'.
Gas
Im Labor prüft die Lehrerin, ob das Gas gefährlich ist.
In the lab, the teacher checks whether the gas is dangerous.
Luft
Im Park ist die Luft heute besonders frisch.
The air in the park is especially fresh today.
In real life
Loading video examples...