das Gebot
commandment
A binding rule, command, or regulation, often with a moral or religious background.
EXAMPLE
Das fünfte der Zehn Gebote lautet „Du sollst nicht töten“.
The fifth of the Ten Commandments is 'You shall not kill.'
das Gebot
commandment / bid
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
das Gebot
bid
An amount of money that someone offers at an auction or in a sales process in order to acquire an object.
EXAMPLE
Bei der Versteigerung des Gemäldes lag das höchste Gebot bei über einer Million Euro.
At the auction of the painting, the highest bid was over one million euros.
das Gebot der Stunde
the need of the hour
An idiom that describes what is most urgently required or most important in a particular situation.
EXAMPLE
Angesichts der Klimakrise ist entschlossenes Handeln das Gebot der Stunde.
In view of the climate crisis, decisive action is the need of the hour.
Usage tips
Word family
'Das Gebot' is closely related to two verbs, which explains its meanings. It comes from 'gebieten' (to command), which leads to 'Gebot' as a rule, and from 'bieten' (to offer/bid), which leads to 'Gebot' as an offer at an auction.
EXAMPLE
Er hat bei der Auktion ein hohes Gebot für das Bild abgegeben.
He placed a high bid for the picture at the auction.
Typical collocations
In the context of an auction or sale, 'Gebot' (bid) is often used with the verbs 'abgeben' (to place/submit), 'machen' (to make), or 'erhöhen' (to raise). A typical combination is also 'das höchste Gebot' (the highest bid).
EXAMPLE
Ich möchte mein Gebot um 100 Euro erhöhen.
I would like to raise my bid by 100 euros.
Context: morality and religion
In the meaning 'Regel' (rule) or 'Vorschrift' (regulation), 'Gebot' (commandment) almost always has a moral or religious context. The best-known combination is 'die Zehn Gebote' (the Ten Commandments).
EXAMPLE
Gastfreundschaft ist in vielen Kulturen ein wichtiges Gebot.
Hospitality is an important commandment in many cultures.
Fixed expression
The expression 'das Gebot der Stunde' (the need of the hour) is a fixed phrase. It is used as a complete block to express what is most important right now.
EXAMPLE
In dieser Krise ist Solidarität das Gebot der Stunde.
In this crisis, solidarity is the need of the hour.
Compare with
Gebot vs Angebot
offer / deal
„Das Angebot“ and „das Gebot“ can both refer to a purchase at a specific price. Angebot is the general business term for the goods or service being offered at a price, while Gebot specifically refers to the amount named by an interested buyer in a bidding or auction process. Gebot is therefore suitable when competing for an item.
Gebot
Bei der Auktion gab der Interessent ein Gebot von 300 Euro ab.
At the auction, the interested buyer placed a bid of 300 euros.
Angebot
Das Angebot für das Fahrrad lag bei 300 Euro und galt eine Woche.
The offer for the bicycle was 300 euros and was valid for one week.
In real life
Loading video examples...