Gegenstand

object

noun GAY-gen-shtant Less Common

Also means

subject matter

Usage Note

Gegenstand is a physical object or item, but in formal speech Gegenstand der Debatte means the 'subject' of a debate. It is literally 'against-stand', a calque of Latin 'objectum'. The plural takes an umlaut: Gegenstände.

Examples

"Auf dem Tisch liegt ein Gegenstand."

Natural Translation

There is an object lying on the table.

Literal Translation

On the table lies an object.

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