01
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 Ebene
plain / level
'Ebene' and 'Gebirge' both describe landscapes, but they are clear opposites. An 'Ebene' is wide and flat, without many elevations. A 'Gebirge' consists of many mountains and has strong differences in elevation. When talking about landscape, 'Ebene' fits flat land, and 'Gebirge' fits a large mountain landscape.
Gebirge
Das Gebirge ist im Winter oft schwer zu erreichen.
The mountain range is often difficult to reach in winter.
Ebene
In der Ebene kann man kilometerweit über die Felder sehen.
On the plain, you can see for miles across the fields.
In real life
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