das Gebirge
mountain range
A large, connected landscape made up of many mountains; a mountain chain or mountain massif.
EXAMPLE
Die Alpen sind das höchste Gebirge in Mitteleuropa.
The Alps are the highest mountain range in Central Europe.
das Gebirge
mountain range
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
'Gebirge' (mountain range) is a collective noun derived from 'Berg' (mountain). The prefix 'Ge-' is often used in German to indicate a collection or group of things.
EXAMPLE
Das Gebirge besteht aus hunderten einzelnen Bergen.
The mountain range consists of hundreds of individual mountains.
Use in the singular
Although a 'Gebirge' (mountain range) consists of many mountains, the word is usually used in the singular. The plural 'die Gebirge' (the mountain ranges) is rare and is only used when talking about several different mountain chains.
EXAMPLE
Wir verbringen unseren Urlaub dieses Jahr im Gebirge.
We are spending our vacation in the mountains this year.
Location and direction
Pay attention to the prepositions and the case: When you are in the mountains, you are 'im Gebirge' (in the mountains; dative). When you travel there, you go 'ins Gebirge' (to/into the mountains; accusative).
EXAMPLE
Im Gebirge ist die Luft besonders frisch.
In the mountains, the air is especially fresh.
Compare with
Gebirge vs Bergland
uplands
Gebirge and Bergland both refer to landscapes with many mountains. Gebirge more strongly suggests a connected mountain range or massif, while Bergland is more general and also includes hilly, lower-elevation landscapes. Use Gebirge for a clearly connected mountain region and Bergland for a broad, mountainous landscape.
Gebirge
Die Wanderer durchquerten das Gebirge über einen schmalen Pass.
The hikers crossed the mountain range through a narrow pass.
Bergland
Die Bauern leben im Bergland mit seinen vielen Hügeln und niedrigeren Bergen.
The farmers live in the uplands, with their many hills and lower mountains.
In real life
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