das Gewächs
plant
A plant, especially a cultivated plant or one that grows conspicuously.
EXAMPLE
In diesem Gewächshaus werden seltene tropische Gewächse gezüchtet.
Rare tropical plants are cultivated in this greenhouse.
das Gewächs
growth / plant
das Gewächs, die Gewächse
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Meanings
das Gewächs
growth
An abnormal growth or tissue formation on the body.
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt entfernte das kleine Gewächs an ihrem Arm.
The doctor removed the small growth from her arm.
ein seltsames Gewächs
strange specimen
An unusual or odd person, thing, or phenomenon; the term is usually derogatory or mocking.
EXAMPLE
Dieser selbst ernannte Guru ist schon ein seltsames Gewächs.
This self-proclaimed guru is quite a strange specimen.
das Gewächs
wine
In wine terminology: a wine, especially with regard to its location, grape variety, or vintage.
EXAMPLE
Der Winzer öffnete für uns ein edles Gewächs aus seinem besten Weinberg.
The winemaker opened a fine wine from his best vineyard for us.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Gewächs, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Gewächse |
| genitive | des Gewächses |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Gewächs | die Gewächse |
| accusative | das Gewächs | die Gewächse |
| dative | dem Gewächs | den Gewächsen |
| genitive | des Gewächses | der Gewächse |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
When used to mean a plant, 'Gewächs' is often accompanied by descriptions such as 'tropisch' (tropical), 'exotisch' (exotic), or 'selten' (rare). Combinations with 'züchten' (to cultivate), 'pflanzen' (to plant), and 'pflegen' (to care for) are also typical.
EXAMPLE
Im botanischen Garten kann man viele exotische Gewächse bewundern.
You can admire many exotic plants in the botanical garden.
Physical context
The meaning of an abnormal tissue growth can usually be recognized from words in a medical context, such as 'Arzt' (doctor), 'Haut' (skin), 'entfernen' (to remove), or 'untersuchen' (to examine). In this usage, 'Gewächs' often refers to a visible change on the body.
EXAMPLE
Die Ärztin untersuchte das Gewächs auf seiner Haut genauer.
The doctor examined the growth on his skin more closely.
Mocking expression
In the fixed expression 'ein seltsames Gewächs' (a strange specimen), a person or thing is characterized as conspicuous and usually disparaged. The expression belongs more to figurative written language or mocking comments than to a neutral description.
EXAMPLE
Mit seinem goldenen Anzug war dieser Mann wirklich ein seltsames Gewächs.
In his gold suit, that man really was a strange specimen.
In real life
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