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A1 noun #4,500 le plus courant 8 min de lecture

Birne

Top 4,500

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces Birne en 30 secondes

Explication Birne in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'Birne' is learned as part of basic food vocabulary. Students learn that it is a fruit, it is feminine ('die Birne'), and its plural is 'Birnen'. Focus is on simple sentences like 'Ich mag Birnen' or 'Das ist eine Birne'. You will use it when shopping or describing your favorite food. It is one of the essential fruits alongside 'Apfel' and 'Banane'.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'Birne' in more complex sentence structures, such as using it with modal verbs ('Ich möchte eine Birne kaufen') or in the past tense ('Ich habe eine Birne gegessen'). You also learn to use it in the context of the home, specifically as a colloquial term for a light bulb ('Die Birne ist kaputt'). You start to recognize compound words like 'Birnensaft'.

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By B1, you are expected to use 'Birne' in a wider variety of social situations. You might use it in a recipe description or a story. You also encounter the famous German idiom 'Äpfel mit Birnen vergleichen' and understand that it means comparing things that shouldn't be compared. Your grammatical control over the feminine gender and plural forms should be solid.

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At the B2 level, you become familiar with the slang usage of 'Birne' to mean 'head'. You understand the nuance of using it in informal settings versus formal ones. You might read news articles about agriculture where 'Birnenernte' (pear harvest) is discussed. You can handle more technical discussions about different types of 'Birnen' (bulbs) in a DIY context.

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At the C1 level, you appreciate the cultural and literary significance of the word, such as in Fontane's poetry. you can use 'Birne' metaphorically in sophisticated ways. You understand regional dialects where the word might change slightly. You can discuss the environmental impact of pear farming or the history of the incandescent 'Birne' in industrial design.

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At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of every possible use of 'Birne'. This includes archaic uses, complex puns, and deep cultural references. You can switch effortlessly between the literal fruit, the technical bulb, and the slang head, using each with the perfect tone and register. You might even explore the word's etymology from the Latin 'pira' in a linguistic discussion.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

Birne en 30 secondes

Birne means pear, the sweet fruit.
It is also the common word for a light bulb.
Informally, it is used as slang for 'head'.
It is a feminine noun: die Birne, plural die Birnen.

The German word Birne is a fundamental noun that every beginner learner encounters early in their journey. Primarily, it refers to the 'pear'—the sweet, bell-shaped fruit that is a staple of European orchards. However, its utility in the German language extends far beyond the produce aisle. In everyday communication, Germans use this word in three distinct contexts: botanical, technical, and colloquial.

Botanical Context: The most common usage refers to the fruit of the Pyrus communis tree. Whether you are at a Wochenmarkt (weekly market) or a Supermarkt, you will see varieties like the 'Abate Fetel' or 'Williams Christ'.
Technical Context: The word is frequently used as a shorthand for 'Glühbirne' (light bulb). Because of the physical resemblance between the fruit and early incandescent bulbs, the name stuck. If your lamp stops working, you might say the Birne is kaputt.
Colloquial Context: In informal German, 'Birne' is a slang term for the human head. It is similar to the English 'noggin' or 'thinker'. You might hear someone say they have a 'weiche Birne' (soft head/stupid) or that they hit their Birne.

Ich esse jeden Morgen eine saftige Birne zum Frühstück.

Understanding the versatility of this word helps learners navigate diverse situations. For instance, in a culinary setting, you might discuss 'Birnen, Bohnen und Speck' (a traditional northern German dish), while in a hardware store, you are looking for a 'LED-Birne'. The word is feminine (die Birne), and its plural form is 'Birnen'. Culturally, the pear has a special place in German literature, most notably in Theodor Fontane's poem 'Herr von Ribbeck auf Ribbeck im Havelland', where a generous man gives pears to children. This poem is a staple of German school education, making the 'Birne' a symbol of kindness and heritage.

Die Birne im Wohnzimmer ist gestern Abend durchgebrannt.

Pass auf deine Birne auf, die Decke ist hier sehr niedrig!

In summary, while it starts as a simple fruit name at the A1 level, 'Birne' grows with the learner, appearing in technical manuals and gritty street slang alike. It embodies the German linguistic tendency to name objects based on their shape and visual characteristics.

Using Birne correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a feminine noun and its various semantic applications. In the nominative case, it functions as the subject: 'Die Birne schmeckt gut.' In the accusative case, as a direct object: 'Ich kaufe eine Birne.' In the dative case, often following prepositions: 'Mit einer Birne kann man leckeren Nachtisch machen.'

Singular vs. Plural: Singular: die Birne. Plural: die Birnen. Note that the plural adds an '-n', which is standard for feminine nouns ending in '-e'.
Adjective Agreement: Because it is feminine, adjectives change: 'eine reife Birne' (a ripe pear), 'die gelbe Birne' (the yellow pear).

Hast du die Birnen schon gewaschen?

When discussing light bulbs, the word is often used in the context of household maintenance. 'Die Birne wechseln' (to change the bulb) is a common phrase. In slang, 'Birne' often appears in the context of physical sensations or mental states. 'Einen Brummschädel' is common, but 'mir brummt die Birne' (my head is buzzing/aching) is a very idiomatic way to describe a headache or mental exhaustion after a long day of work.

Wir brauchen eine neue Birne für die Stehlampe.

Nach dem zehnten Bier war seine Birne völlig vernebelt.

Compound Words: Birnensaft (pear juice), Birnenkuchen (pear cake), Birnenbaum (pear tree). The 'n' acts as a linking element in many compounds.

Furthermore, 'Birne' is central to the famous idiom 'Äpfel mit Birnen vergleichen' (comparing apples with pears), which is the German equivalent of 'comparing apples to oranges'. This is used when someone tries to compare two things that are fundamentally different and cannot be logically compared. Using this idiom correctly shows a high level of fluency and cultural integration.

You will encounter Birne in a variety of real-world settings across German-speaking countries. In the marketplace (der Markt), vendors will shout about their 'frische Birnen'. In a grocery store (Supermarkt), you will see signs for 'Tafelbirnen' (dessert pears) or 'Kochbirnen' (cooking pears).

Ein Kilo Birnen kostet heute nur zwei Euro.

In a domestic setting, parents might tell their children to 'iss deine Birne auf' (finish your pear). If a fuse blows or a light goes out, you'll hear 'Ist die Birne kaputt?' in almost every German household. This technical-metaphorical usage is so ingrained that many people don't even think of the fruit when they say it. In sports, especially contact sports like boxing or football, 'Birne' is common locker-room talk. A coach might say 'Kopf hoch, benutzt eure Birne!' (Heads up, use your brains/heads!). In the workplace, if someone is acting foolishly, a colleague might whisper 'Der hat doch eine weiche Birne' (He's got a soft head/he's crazy).

Könnten Sie mir zeigen, wo die Birnen für die Halogenlampe sind?

Regional Differences: In Southern Germany and Austria, you might hear 'Bira' or 'Bire' in local dialects, but 'Birne' is universally understood as the standard German (Hochdeutsch) term.

You will also hear it in weather reports or gardening shows when discussing the 'Birnengitterrost' (pear rust), a common fungus that affects pear trees. From the dinner table to the hardware store to the doctor's office (when discussing a bump on the head), 'Birne' is an omnipresent term in the German linguistic landscape.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with Birne is confusing it with other similar-sounding words or misgendering it. Because 'pear' is masculine in some languages (like 'le poire' being feminine in French but 'der Apfel' being masculine in German), learners often default to 'der Birne'. This is incorrect; it is always die Birne. Phonetically, learners sometimes confuse 'Birne' with 'Beere' (berry). While both are fruits, a 'Birne' is a large pomaceous fruit, while a 'Beere' is a small berry like a strawberry (Erdbeere). Another common error is using 'Birne' in formal situations to mean 'head'. While 'Birne' is common in casual speech, using it in a business meeting or a formal letter to describe someone's head would be seen as disrespectful or overly slangy. In those cases, use 'Kopf'.

Falsch: Ich habe Schmerzen in der Birne (to a doctor).

Richtig: Ich habe Kopfschmerzen.

Spelling Trap: Do not confuse 'Birne' with 'Bühne' (stage). They look somewhat similar to a beginner's eye but have completely different pronunciations and meanings.
Pluralization Error: Some learners try to say 'Birne' for plural. Remember the '-n': 'Zwei Birnen', not 'Zwei Birne'.

Finally, when using the idiom 'Äpfel mit Birnen vergleichen', make sure not to swap the fruits. While the meaning remains clear, the fixed phrase is always apples then pears. Avoid saying 'Birnen mit Äpfeln vergleichen' if you want to sound like a native speaker.

Depending on the context, there are several words you might use instead of Birne. If you are talking about fruit in a general sense, you might use 'Obst' (fruit). If you want to be more specific about the type of pear, you might use the variety name like 'Conference' or 'Gute Luise'.

Birne vs. Apfel: Both are 'Kernobst' (pome fruit), but 'Apfel' (apple) is masculine (der), while 'Birne' is feminine (die). They are often grouped together in German culinary culture.
Birne vs. Glühbirne: 'Glühbirne' is the full, formal word for an incandescent light bulb. 'Birne' is the colloquial shortening. In modern times, you might also hear 'Leuchtmittel' (technical term for any light source) or 'LED-Lampe'.
Birne vs. Kopf: 'Kopf' is the standard, neutral word for head. 'Birne' is slang. Other slang terms for head include 'Rübe' (turnip), 'Dötz', or 'Omme'. 'Birne' is perhaps the most common of the fruit-based head metaphors.

Das Obst in dieser Schale ist sehr frisch, besonders die Birnen.

In cooking, if a recipe calls for pears but you don't have them, 'Quitten' (quinces) are the closest relative in terms of texture and flavor, though they usually require cooking. Understanding these alternatives allows you to adjust your register from the casual street talk of 'Birne' (head) to the precise technical language of 'Leuchtmittel' or the culinary specificity of 'Williams-Christ-Birne'.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The word 'Birne' is so old that it was borrowed into German before the High German consonant shift was fully complete in all regions, leading to various dialectal forms.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈbɪʁnə/

US /ˈbɪrnə/

The stress is on the first syllable: BIR-ne.

Rime avec

Zwirne Stirne Dirne Firne Gezwirne Bezirne Hinterstirne Vorderstirne

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the final 'e' like 'ee' (it should be a schwa like 'uh').
Making the 'i' too long (like 'bee-rne').
Over-rolling the 'r' in the middle.
Confusing the pronunciation with 'Bühne'.
Treating the 'r' as a hard English 'r'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text due to its short length and common usage.

Écriture 2/5

Easy, but remember the 'e' at the end and the feminine gender.

Expression orale 2/5

The vocalic 'r' can be tricky for English natives to master perfectly.

Écoute 1/5

Clear sound, usually easy to distinguish in context.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

Apfel Obst essen kaputt Lampe

Apprends ensuite

Pfirsich Pflaume wechseln Leuchtmittel Kopfschmerzen

Avancé

physiognomisch Kernobstgewächs Glühfaden etymologisch

Grammaire à connaître

Feminine Nouns ending in -e

Die Birne -> Die Birnen (add -n for plural).

Compound Noun Gender

Der Birnenbaum (takes the gender of 'Baum', which is masculine).

Accusative Object

Ich kaufe eine Birne (Birne is the direct object).

Dative Prepositions

Ich backe mit einer Birne (mit takes the dative case).

Adjective Declension (Feminine)

Eine süße Birne (ending -e for indefinite article nominative/accusative).

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Exemples par niveau

Das ist eine Birne.

That is a pear.

Nominative feminine singular.

Ich esse eine Birne.

I am eating a pear.

Accusative feminine singular.

Die Birne ist süß.

The pear is sweet.

Subject-predicate adjective.

Hast du eine Birne?

Do you have a pear?

Direct object in a question.

Ich mag Birnen.

I like pears.

Plural accusative.

Die Birnen sind grün.

The pears are green.

Plural nominative.

Eine Birne, bitte.

One pear, please.

Elliptical accusative phrase.

Hier ist die Birne.

Here is the pear.

Definite article feminine.

Ich muss eine neue Birne kaufen.

I must buy a new (light) bulb.

Modal verb construction.

Die Birne in der Lampe ist kaputt.

The bulb in the lamp is broken.

Prepositional phrase 'in der Lampe'.

Wir haben gestern viele Birnen gepflückt.

We picked many pears yesterday.

Perfekt tense.

Magst du Birnensaft?

Do you like pear juice?

Compound noun.

Kaufst du mir bitte zwei Birnen?

Will you please buy me two pears?

Dative 'mir' and accusative 'zwei Birnen'.

Die Birne schmeckt besser als der Apfel.

The pear tastes better than the apple.

Comparative structure.

Im Herbst gibt es viele Birnen.

In autumn there are many pears.

Impersonal 'es gibt'.

Ich schneide die Birne für den Salat.

I am cutting the pear for the salad.

Definite article accusative.

Man darf nicht Äpfel mit Birnen vergleichen.

One shouldn't compare apples to pears.

Idiomatic expression.

Die Birne ist eine sehr gesunde Frucht.

The pear is a very healthy fruit.

Apposition/Attribute.

Wenn die Birne durchbrennt, wird es dunkel.

When the bulb burns out, it gets dark.

Conditional 'wenn' clause.

Ich backe heute einen Kuchen mit Birnen und Walnüssen.

I am baking a cake with pears and walnuts today.

Prepositional object with 'mit'.

Er hat sich an der Birne verletzt.

He injured his head.

Reflexive verb with slang usage.

Die Birnen an diesem Baum sind noch nicht reif.

The pears on this tree are not yet ripe.

Genitive/Possessive context.

Können Sie mir helfen, die Birne zu wechseln?

Can you help me change the bulb?

Infinitiv mit zu.

Diese Birne hat eine sehr interessante Form.

This pear has a very interesting shape.

Demonstrative pronoun.

Mir brummt die Birne von dem ganzen Lernen.

My head is buzzing from all the studying.

Colloquial idiom for headache.

Er hat wohl eine weiche Birne, wenn er das glaubt.

He must be soft in the head if he believes that.

Slang insult.

Die Birne muss gegen eine LED ausgetauscht werden.

The bulb must be replaced with an LED.

Passive voice with modal verb.

In diesem Jahr war die Birnenernte besonders ertragreich.

This year the pear harvest was particularly fruitful.

Compound noun 'Birnenernte'.

Das ist doch alles hohl in der Birne!

That's just empty-headed!

Informal exclamation.

Die Birne fiel direkt auf seinen Kopf.

The pear fell directly onto his head.

Directional prepositional phrase.

Diese Birnensorte ist für den Export sehr wichtig.

This pear variety is very important for export.

Genitive context.

Ich habe mir ordentlich die Birne gestoßen.

I really bumped my head.

Reflexive dative 'mir'.

Fontanes Gedicht über die Birne ist weltberühmt.

Fontane's poem about the pear is world-famous.

Possessive genitive.

Die Birne als Symbol der Großzügigkeit ist ein literarisches Motiv.

The pear as a symbol of generosity is a literary motif.

Complex noun phrase.

Trotz der Umstellung auf LED sagen viele immer noch 'Birne'.

Despite the switch to LED, many still say 'bulb'.

Concessive 'trotz' with genitive.

Die physiognomische Ähnlichkeit zur Birne gab dem Objekt seinen Namen.

The physiognomic resemblance to the pear gave the object its name.

High-level vocabulary.

Es ist zwecklos, hier Äpfel mit Birnen zu vergleichen.

It is pointless to compare apples to oranges here.

Abstract idiomatic usage.

Die Birne reift am Baum, bis sie ihr volles Aroma entfaltet.

The pear ripens on the tree until it unfolds its full aroma.

Subordinate 'bis' clause.

Sein Verhalten lässt darauf schließen, dass er nichts in der Birne hat.

His behavior suggests that he has nothing in his head.

C1 level idiomatic insult.

Die Birne ist anfällig für bestimmte Schädlinge wie den Birnenblattsauger.

The pear is susceptible to certain pests like the pear psyllid.

Technical biological description.

Die metaphorische Birne in der Umgangssprache zeugt von visuellem Denken.

The metaphorical 'pear' in colloquial language testifies to visual thinking.

Academic register.

In der Stilllebenmalerei nimmt die Birne oft eine zentrale Rolle ein.

In still life painting, the pear often takes a central role.

Artistic context.

Die Etymologie der Birne lässt sich bis ins Lateinische zurückverfolgen.

The etymology of the pear can be traced back to Latin.

Passive-like 'lässt sich' construction.

Manche Dialekte bewahren archaische Formen des Wortes Birne.

Some dialects preserve archaic forms of the word pear.

Linguistic analysis.

Die Birne als Objekt der Begierde in der klassischen Literatur.

The pear as an object of desire in classical literature.

Thematic analysis.

Die Haltbarkeit der Birne hängt stark von der Lagerungstemperatur ab.

The shelf life of the pear depends heavily on the storage temperature.

Technical dependency.

Die Birne hat im Laufe der Jahrhunderte verschiedene Bedeutungen akkumuliert.

The pear has accumulated various meanings over the centuries.

Historical linguistics.

Eine Birne zu zeichnen, erfordert ein Verständnis für subtile Kurven.

Drawing a pear requires an understanding of subtle curves.

Infinitive subject.

Collocations courantes

saftige Birne

Birne wechseln

reife Birne

weiche Birne

Birne brennt durch

Birnen pflücken

Birnen schälen

eine helle Birne

Birnenform

Birnenmarmor

Phrases Courantes

Einen an der Birne haben

— To be crazy or slightly mad.

Du hast wohl einen an der Birne!

Die Birne einschalten

— To start thinking or to use one's brain.

Schalte mal deine Birne ein!

Birnen und Äpfel

— Often used together to describe fruit assortment.

Wir haben Birnen und Äpfel im Garten.

Eine Birne wie ein Sieb

— To have a memory like a sieve.

Meine Birne ist heute wie ein Sieb.

Die Birne voll haben

— To be drunk or completely full of thoughts.

Ich habe die Birne voll von der Arbeit.

Süß wie eine Birne

— Very sweet (less common than honey but used).

Das Kind ist süß wie eine Birne.

Birne hohl

— To be stupid or empty-headed.

Bei dem ist die Birne hohl.

Ab durch die Birne

— To go through the head (thoughts).

Das ging mir so durch die Birne.

Die Birne glüht

— Thinking very hard.

Nach der Prüfung hat mir die Birne geglüht.

Birne kaputt

— Broken bulb or mentally exhausted.

Lampe aus, Birne kaputt.

Souvent confondu avec

Birne vs Beere

Beere means berry. They sound similar but refer to different fruit sizes.

Birne vs Bühne

Bühne means stage. The spelling is similar but the meaning is unrelated.

Birne vs Bär

Bär means bear. Pronunciation is different but beginners sometimes mix them up.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Äpfel mit Birnen vergleichen"

— To compare two things that cannot be compared.

Du kannst Fußball nicht mit Schach vergleichen, das ist wie Äpfel mit Birnen vergleichen.

common

"Einen auf die Birne bekommen"

— To get hit on the head or to receive a blow.

Im Boxkampf hat er ordentlich einen auf die Birne bekommen.

informal

"Eine weiche Birne haben"

— To be stupid or foolish.

Glaubst du das wirklich? Du hast wohl eine weiche Birne!

slang

"Nichts in der Birne haben"

— To have no brains; to be unintelligent.

Der Kerl hat absolut nichts in der Birne.

informal

"Sich die Birne vollknallen"

— To get very drunk.

Sie haben sich am Wochenende die Birne vollgeknallt.

slang

"Die Birne raucht"

— To be thinking very hard or to be stressed.

Mir raucht die Birne von den vielen Hausaufgaben.

informal

"Einen an der Birne haben"

— To be slightly crazy.

Hast du einen an der Birne, bei dem Wetter ohne Jacke rauszugehen?

informal

"Die Birne ist matsch"

— The head is 'mushy' (tired or confused).

Nach 12 Stunden Arbeit ist meine Birne matsch.

slang

"Jemandem eins auf die Birne geben"

— To hit someone on the head.

Pass auf, sonst gebe ich dir eins auf die Birne!

informal

"Hohl in der Birne"

— Empty-headed.

Wie kann man nur so hohl in der Birne sein?

slang

Facile à confondre

Birne vs Glühbirne

It's the same thing as the technical 'Birne'.

Glühbirne is more specific and formal; Birne is the everyday shorthand.

Die Glühbirne ist eine Erfindung von Edison.

Birne vs Kopf

Both can mean head.

Kopf is anatomical and neutral; Birne is metaphorical and informal.

Er hat einen großen Kopf.

Birne vs Obst

Both refer to fruit.

Obst is a collective noun (uncountable in this sense); Birne is a specific, countable fruit.

Ich esse viel Obst.

Birne vs Quitte

Similar shape and family.

Quitten are usually hard and need cooking; Birnen can be eaten raw.

Quittengelee ist sehr lecker.

Birne vs Birne (slang)

Multiple meanings.

Context is key: 'essen' = fruit, 'wechseln' = bulb, 'weh tun' = head.

Meine Birne raucht.

Structures de phrases

Das ist eine [Adjektiv] Birne.

Das ist eine gelbe Birne.

Ich mag [Plural].

Ich mag Birnen.

Die Birne ist [Zustand].

Die Birne ist kaputt.

Ich habe eine Birne [Verb im Partizip II].

Ich habe eine Birne gegessen.

Man kann nicht [A] mit [B] vergleichen.

Man kann nicht Äpfel mit Birnen vergleichen.

Ich brauche eine Birne für [Nomen].

Ich brauche eine Birne für die Lampe.

Mir brummt die Birne von [Dativ].

Mir brummt die Birne von der lauten Musik.

Die Birne dient als [Metapher].

Die Birne dient als Metapher für den Kopf.

Famille de mots

Noms

Birnenbaum

Birnensaft

Birnenkuchen

Birnenmost

Glühbirne

Birnenform

Birnenernte

Verbes

birnen (rare)

abbirnen

Adjectifs

birnenförmig

birnenartig

Apparenté

Obst

Frucht

Kernobst

Apfel

Quitte

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very high in daily life.

Erreurs courantes

der Birne → die Birne
The noun is feminine, so it requires 'die' or 'eine'.
zwei Birne → zwei Birnen
The plural form must have the '-n' ending.
Ich habe Kopf in der Birne. → Ich habe Schmerzen in der Birne.
You don't have a 'head in the pear'; you use 'Birne' as a synonym for head.
Beere (when meaning pear) → Birne
Beere is a berry (like a blueberry). A pear is a Birne.
Äpfel mit Birne vergleichen → Äpfel mit Birnen vergleichen
The idiom uses the plural for both fruits.

Astuces

Gender Memory

Remember that most fruits ending in -e are feminine: die Birne, die Banane, die Kirsche. This makes it easier to guess the gender.

Fruit Pairs

Always learn 'Apfel' and 'Birne' together. They are the 'power couple' of German fruit and often appear in the same contexts.

Use with Caution

Only use 'Birne' for head with people you know well. It can sound a bit rough or uneducated in the wrong setting.

The Soft End

The final -e in German is very short. Don't stress it. It should sound like a quick breath out.

Poetry Power

If you want to impress Germans, mention the 'Ribbeck' poem when you see a pear tree. It's a huge cultural touchstone.

Asking for Weight

In Germany, you usually buy pears by the kilo (ein Kilo) or by the piece (Stück). 'Ich hätte gerne vier Birnen' is perfect.

Wattage

When buying a 'Birne' (bulb), you might need to know the 'Fassung' (socket), like E27 or E14.

Dessert Ideas

Look up 'Birne Helene'—it's a classic dessert of poached pears with chocolate sauce popular in German-speaking countries.

Comparison

Use the 'Äpfel mit Birnen' idiom when someone makes a bad argument. It's a very effective way to shut down a logical fallacy.

Shape

Anything 'birnenförmig' (pear-shaped) uses this word. It's a great adjective for describing vases, lamps, or even fruit.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'Bulb' and a 'Bear' eating a 'Pear'. Birne sounds a bit like 'Bear' but looks like a 'Bulb'.

Association visuelle

Imagine a light bulb shaped exactly like a green pear hanging from a ceiling.

Word Web

Obst Gelb Süß Licht Lampe Kopf Saft Baum

Défi

Try to use 'Birne' in three different sentences today: one about fruit, one about a lamp, and one about your head.

Origine du mot

Derived from the Old High German 'birna', which comes from the Vulgar Latin 'pira' (plural of 'pirum').

Sens originel : The fruit of the pear tree.

Indo-European, Germanic branch, influenced by Latin.

Contexte culturel

Be careful using 'Birne' for 'head' as it can be perceived as insulting or very informal.

English speakers use 'pear-shaped' to mean something went wrong, but Germans don't use 'birnenförmig' that way.

Theodor Fontane: Herr von Ribbeck auf Ribbeck im Havelland Helmut Kohl (Nickname: Birne) Stilleben mit Birne (various artists)

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

At the market

Was kosten die Birnen?
Sind die Birnen süß?
Ein Kilo Birnen, bitte.
Haben Sie reife Birnen?

Repairing a lamp

Die Birne ist durchgebrannt.
Welche Birne brauche ich?
Hast du eine Ersatzbirne?
Die Birne ist heiß.

Talking about health

Meine Birne tut weh.
Mir brummt die Birne.
Ich habe eins auf die Birne bekommen.
Pass auf deine Birne auf!

Cooking

Birnen schälen und entkernen.
Birnen in Spalten schneiden.
Ein Kuchen mit Birnen.
Birnenkompott kochen.

In an orchard

Der Birnenbaum trägt viele Früchte.
Die Birnen sind noch hart.
Wann ist die Birnenernte?
Frische Birnen direkt vom Baum.

Amorces de conversation

"Isst du lieber Äpfel oder Birnen?"

"Weißt du, wie man eine Birne in dieser Lampe wechselt?"

"Hast du schon mal das Gedicht über Herrn von Ribbeck und seine Birnen gehört?"

"Welche Birnensorte schmeckt dir am besten?"

"Warum sagen Deutsche 'Birne', wenn sie eine Glühbirne meinen?"

Sujets d'écriture

Beschreibe den Geschmack einer perfekten, reifen Birne.

Erinnere dich an eine Situation, in der dir 'die Birne gebrummt' hat. Was ist passiert?

Schreibe eine kurze Einkaufsliste für einen Obstsalat, der Birnen enthält.

Was denkst du über den Vergleich von Äpfeln und Birnen im täglichen Leben?

Stell dir vor, du hättest einen Birnenbaum im Garten. Was würdest du mit den Früchten machen?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Yes, it is always 'die Birne'. Even when used as slang for 'head' or as a 'light bulb', the grammatical gender remains feminine. This is a consistent rule for this noun.

No, it is better to avoid it. 'Birne' for 'head' is colloquial and slangy. In a formal German exam, you should use 'der Kopf' to remain professional and neutral.

The plural is 'die Birnen'. You simply add an '-n' to the singular form. Example: 'Ich habe drei Birnen gekauft'.

Yes, people still call LED bulbs 'Birnen' or 'LED-Birnen' because of their shape. Even though they don't 'glow' the same way, the name has persisted in the language.

It means comparing two things that are too different to be compared fairly. It's the German equivalent of the English 'comparing apples to oranges'.

It is 'der Birnenbaum'. Notice the 'n' in the middle which connects 'Birne' and 'Baum'.

Yes, 'Birne' is Standard German (Hochdeutsch). While some dialects might have their own words (like 'Bira'), everyone will understand 'Birne'.

Yes, many varieties like 'Conference' are green. In German, you would say 'Die Birne ist grün'.

There is no common verb 'birnen'. You use standard verbs like 'essen' (eat), 'kaufen' (buy), or 'wechseln' (change).

It was a nickname given to him by political cartoonists in the 1980s because the shape of his head and hair resembled a pear. It became a very famous piece of German political satire.

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