der Gesang
singing
The production of tones and melodies with the human voice, often as an artistic expression.
EXAMPLE
Der Gesang der Opernsängerin war atemberaubend.
The opera singer's singing was breathtaking.
der Gesang
singing / song
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Meanings
der Gesang
song
The melodic sounds that birds produce.
EXAMPLE
Am Morgen wachte ich vom Gesang der Amsel auf.
In the morning, I woke up to the blackbird's song.
der Gesang
canto
An individual song or a part of a larger literary or musical work intended for the voice.
EXAMPLE
Die Odyssee ist in 24 Gesänge unterteilt.
The Odyssey is divided into 24 cantos.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'der Gesang' (singing/song) is derived directly from the verb 'singen' (to sing). The prefix 'Ge-' is often used to form nouns from verbs that describe an action or its result.
EXAMPLE
Das Kind lernt gerade das Singen im Chor.
The child is currently learning singing in the choir.
Typical collocations
When human voices are involved, 'Gesang' is often combined with adjectives that describe the type or quality. Typical examples are 'klassischer Gesang' (classical singing), 'geistlicher Gesang' (sacred singing), or 'mehrstimmiger Gesang' (part-singing / polyphonic singing).
EXAMPLE
In der Kirche hörten wir wunderschönen geistlichen Gesang.
In the church, we heard beautiful sacred singing.
Fixed combination
In the meaning 'Vogellaute' (bird sounds), 'Gesang' is very frequently used in the fixed combination 'der Gesang der Vögel' (the song of the birds) or as the compound 'der Vogelgesang' (birdsong).
EXAMPLE
Im Frühling ist der Vogelgesang besonders laut.
In spring, the birdsong is especially loud.
Context clue
You can recognize this literary meaning from the context. It is used almost exclusively for classical, long poems (epics) and is often combined with an ordinal number.
EXAMPLE
Wir lesen heute den ersten Gesang von Dantes „Inferno“.
Today we're reading the first canto of Dante's 'Inferno'.
Compare with
Gesang vs Lied
song
A Lied is a complete piece of music with lyrics that is sung. Gesang can also refer to an individual song, but it can additionally mean a part of a larger work intended for the voice. Gesang is therefore more precise for such a section.
Gesang
Die Sängerin übernimmt den Gesang im zweiten Teil des größeren Werks.
The singer takes over the vocals in the second part of the larger work.
Lied
Die Sängerin eröffnet das Konzert mit einem vollständigen Lied.
The singer opens the concert with a complete song.
In real life
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