A mountain meadow in the Alps that is used in summer as pasture for livestock such as cows or sheep. There is often also a hut there for managing the pasture.
example
Im Sommer treiben die Bauern ihre Kühe auf die Alm.
In summer, the farmers drive their cows up to the Alpine pasture.
Usage tips
Regional context
The word 'Alm' (Alpine pasture) is used mainly in Alpine regions, that is, in southern Germany (Bavaria), Austria, and Switzerland. In other parts of Germany, the word is less common, but it is understood.
EXAMPLE
Im Urlaub in Österreich haben wir eine Wanderung zu einer Alm gemacht.
On vacation in Austria, we went on a hike to an Alpine pasture.
Correct preposition
With 'Alm' (Alpine pasture), the preposition 'auf' is used. Pay attention to the case: 'auf die Alm' describes direction (accusative), while 'auf der Alm' describes location (dative).
EXAMPLE
Die Familie wandert auf die Alm.
The family is hiking up to the Alpine pasture.
Typical collocations
Common word combinations are 'die Kühe auf die Alm treiben' (to drive the cows up to the Alpine pasture), 'auf einer Alm übernachten' (to stay overnight on an Alpine pasture), or 'eine bewirtschaftete Alm besuchen' (to visit a managed Alpine pasture). There is often an 'Almhütte' (Alpine hut) there.
EXAMPLE
Viele Touristen besuchen im Sommer eine bewirtschaftete Alm mit Restaurant.
Many tourists visit a managed Alpine pasture with a restaurant in summer.
Compare with
synonym · confusable
Alm vs Alpe
alpine pasture
'die Alpe' and 'die Alm' both mean a high alpine pasture in the Alps where animals are kept in summer. The difference is mainly in the region and in usage. 'Alm' is more familiar to many learners and is often used in Bavaria and Austria. 'Alpe' is heard especially in some southern German, Austrian, or Swiss regions. The words are easy to confuse because they mean almost the same thing. In a specific area, you should use the word that is common there.
Alm
Nach der Wanderung haben wir auf der Alm frische Milch getrunken.
After the hike, we drank fresh milk on the alpine pasture.
Alpe
Im Sommer bringen die Bauern ihre Kühe auf die Alpe.
In summer, the farmers take their cows up to the alpine pasture.