die Röhre
tube / pipe
A long, hollow, cylindrical object used mainly for carrying liquids or gases.
EXAMPLE
Die alte Wasserleitung besteht aus rostigen Röhren.
The old water line consists of rusty pipes.
die Röhre
tube
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Meanings
die Röhre
TV
A colloquial term for an older television that uses a cathode-ray tube to produce images.
EXAMPLE
Am Sonntagabend saß die ganze Familie vor der Röhre.
On Sunday evening, the whole family sat in front of the TV.
in die Röhre gucken
to lose out
A colloquial expression meaning that someone gets nothing, is at a disadvantage, or misses out.
EXAMPLE
Alle anderen bekamen ein Stück Kuchen, nur ich musste in die Röhre gucken.
Everyone else got a piece of cake; only I had to lose out.
die Röhre
tube
A tube-shaped part of an organism or plant, for example in certain mushrooms.
EXAMPLE
Der Steinpilz hat unter dem Hut feine Röhren anstelle von Lamellen.
The porcini mushroom has fine tubes under the cap instead of gills.
die Röhre
vacuum tube
An electronic component (vacuum tube) that was used in older radios, amplifiers, and other devices to amplify signals.
EXAMPLE
Der alte Gitarrenverstärker klingt erst richtig gut, wenn die Röhren warm sind.
The old guitar amplifier only sounds really good once the tubes are warm.
Usage tips
Word family
The word 'Röhre' (tube) is closely related to 'das Rohr' (pipe), which also describes a long, hollow object. This connection helps you understand the basic meaning of the word, which is present in almost all uses.
EXAMPLE
Durch die Röhre fließt heißes Wasser.
Hot water flows through the tube.
Context clues
You can recognize the meaning of 'Röhre' (tube) from context. If it is about lines or construction, a physical tube or pipe is meant. In connection with media ('vor der Röhre sitzen' — to sit in front of the TV), it means an old television. In electronics ('Verstärker' — amplifier), it refers to a component.
EXAMPLE
Die Abflussröhre unter dem Waschbecken ist verstopft.
The drainpipe under the sink is clogged.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'in die Röhre gucken' is fixed and means that someone gets nothing or is at a disadvantage. The person who gets nothing is the subject of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Wir kamen zu spät zur Party und mussten beim Essen in die Röhre gucken.
We arrived at the party too late and had to lose out when it came to the food.
Colloquial use
The term 'die Röhre' for a television is colloquial. It is often used in the expression 'vor der Röhre sitzen' or 'in die Röhre schauen' to mean 'to watch TV'.
EXAMPLE
Er verbringt jeden Abend Stunden vor der Röhre.
He spends hours in front of the TV every evening.
Typical collocations
When referring to a physical tube or pipe, typical verbs are 'verlegen' (to lay), 'einbauen' (to install), or 'austauschen' (to replace). Liquids or gases can 'durch eine Röhre fließen' (flow through a tube).
EXAMPLE
Ein Handwerker muss die kaputte Röhre austauschen.
A tradesperson has to replace the broken pipe.
Compare with
Röhre vs Rohr
pipe / tube
Both Rohr and Röhre can refer to a long, hollow cylinder used to carry liquids or gases. For permanently installed lines, Rohr is the usual choice. Röhre draws more attention to the cylindrical shape of the hollow object.
Röhre
Im Versuch fließt gefärbtes Wasser durch eine durchsichtige Röhre.
In the experiment, colored water flows through a transparent tube.
Rohr
Durch das fest eingebaute Rohr fließt Wasser in die Küche.
Water flows into the kitchen through the permanently installed pipe.
In real life
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