German word

Gegenstand

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈgeːgn̩ʃtant/

Meaning

  • masculine nounthing

Example

Ich lege den Gegenstand auf den Tisch.

I put the thing on the table.

Illustration for Gegenstand (thing)

More examples

Ich habe einen kleinen Gegenstand in meiner Tasche gefunden.

I found a small object in my bag.

Core concept

A distinct thing placed before attention, either as a tangible item or as a topic being examined.

Common phrases

  • kleiner Gegenstand

    small object

  • wertvoller Gegenstand

    valuable object

Similar words

Ding: A casual term for a concrete thing whose name is unknown or unimportant.
Sache: A matter or object that people handle, deal with, or discuss.
Thema: A subject or topic treated in a discussion or piece of writing.

Definition in German

Etwas, das als einzelner Gegenstand erkennbar ist; neben dem konkreten Objekt auch der Gegenstand einer Untersuchung oder Diskussion.

Word origin

Gegenstand combines gegen, meaning "against" or "opposite," with Stand, meaning "standing," and developed from something standing opposite to an object or topic under consideration.

Usage tips

  • Gegenstand is masculine, and its plural is Gegenstände with an umlaut: der Gegenstand, die Gegenstände.

Other meanings

  • objectnoun
  • itemnoun
  • subjectnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • gegenstandslosirrelevantadjective

Word lists with this word