Gebrauch

Gebrauch is a German noun meaning use, utilization, or application. It denotes the act of using something as well as the manner, purpose, or mode of its use.

In everyday language, Gebrauch appears in many compound terms that describe specific uses. Examples include Sprachgebrauch, referring to the way a language is used in real communication, and Gebrauchsanweisung, the instruction manual that explains how to use a product. The phrase im Gebrauch is used to say something is in use or in operation. The term can also indicate customary practice or habit in some contexts, as in phrases discussing general Gebrauch und Gewohnheit.

In linguistics and related fields, Sprachgebrauch is a standard term for studying language as it is actually used by speakers, including variations by region, social group, or genre. The concept helps distinguish between normative rules and observed language behavior in real-world settings.

Etymology and related terms: Gebrauch derives from the verb gebrauchen, meaning to use. The noun marks the act or state of using and is commonly employed in many formal and semi-formal expressions across German, from technical manuals to academic discussion. Related concepts include Nutzung and Anwendung, which are often used as synonyms in more technical or formal contexts.