das Gewebe
tissue
A group of cells in the body of living beings that have a similar structure and function.
EXAMPLE
Die Biopsie ergab, dass das Gewebe gutartig ist.
The biopsy showed that the tissue is benign.
das Gewebe
tissue / fabric / web
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Meanings
das Gewebe
fabric
A material made by weaving, knitting, or otherwise interlacing threads; a cloth or textile.
EXAMPLE
Für den Vorhang wurde ein schweres, lichtundurchlässiges Gewebe verwendet.
A heavy, opaque fabric was used for the curtain.
das Gewebe
web
A complex, often opaque structure or interweaving of relationships, events, or information.
EXAMPLE
Die Ermittler deckten ein Gewebe aus Korruption und Betrug auf.
The investigators uncovered a web of corruption and fraud.
Usage tips
Word family
'Gewebe' (tissue/fabric/web) is derived from the verb 'weben' (to weave). This origin explains all of its meanings: weaving threads into fabric, the 'interweaving' of cells into body tissue, and the intertwining of lies into a complex 'Lügengewebe' (web of lies).
EXAMPLE
Die Geschichte war ein komplexes Gewebe aus Halbwahrheiten.
The story was a complex web of half-truths.
Context clue
In a medical or biological context, 'Gewebe' always means body tissue. Look for words like 'Zelle' (cell), 'Organ' (organ), 'Probe' (sample), or compounds like 'Muskelgewebe' (muscle tissue) and 'Nervengewebe' (nerve tissue).
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt entnahm eine Probe vom geschädigten Gewebe.
The doctor took a sample from the damaged tissue.
Context clue
When the topic is clothing, curtains, or materials, 'Gewebe' means fabric or textile. Signal words here are 'Faden' (thread), 'Seide' (silk), 'Baumwolle' (cotton), or 'dicht' (dense/tightly woven) and 'fein' (fine).
EXAMPLE
Für ihr Kleid wählte sie ein feines, seidiges Gewebe.
For her dress, she chose a fine, silky fabric.
Typical collocations
The figurative meaning is often used with the preposition 'aus' (of/from) and an abstract plural noun. Typical combinations are 'ein Gewebe aus Lügen' (a web of lies), 'ein Gewebe aus Intrigen' (a web of intrigue), or 'ein Gewebe aus Beziehungen' (a web of relationships).
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei deckte ein dichtes Gewebe aus Korruption auf.
The police uncovered a dense web of corruption.
Compare with
Gewebe vs Stoff
fabric / material
Stoff and Gewebe can both refer to a textile material. Stoff usually means the material you buy and process. Gewebe focuses more precisely on the textile structure made from threads; this term is especially appropriate when its construction or density is important.
Gewebe
Für den neuen Vorhang prüft die Schneiderin, ob das Gewebe dicht genug ist.
The seamstress checks whether the fabric is dense enough for the new curtain.
Stoff
Für den neuen Vorhang kauft Mara einen leichten Stoff.
Mara buys a lightweight fabric for the new curtain.
In real life
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