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.

Free starter pack

Building your German vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common German words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore German by topic

GermanNow

German Modal Particles: doch, mal, ja, eben

German modal particles doch, mal, ja, and eben add attitude, not meaning. Before/after examples show how to use each one so your German stops sounding stiff.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

GermanNow

German Greetings by Region: Grüß Gott to Grüezi

German greetings change by region: say Moin in Hamburg, Grüß Gott in Bavaria, Grüezi in Switzerland. A map of every hello and goodbye, plus du vs. Sie.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

GermanNow

Du vs. Sie: When to Use Each in German

Use Sie with strangers, elders, and at work; use du with friends, family, kids, and peers. Here's how to pick the right German you every time.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

GermanNow

German Word Order: The Verb Rules That Trip You Up

German word order comes down to three verb-position rules: the verb is second in main clauses, last after weil and dass, and time comes before place.

June 5, 2026 6 min read