old building
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old building
A building that was constructed before a certain time, in Germany often before 1949, and is typically characterized by features such as high ceilings, wooden floors, and solid construction.
Sie hat eine wunderschöne Wohnung in einem renovierten Altbau mit Stuck an der Decke gefunden.
She found a beautiful apartment in a renovated old building with stucco on the ceiling.
This word is made up simply and logically of the adjective 'alt' (old) and the noun 'der Bau' (the building). So it literally describes an old building.
Die Mieten für einen Altbau in der Innenstadt sind oft sehr hoch.
The rents for an old building in the city center are often very high.
In Germany, 'Altbau' (old building) often has a positive meaning. It is associated with charm and special features such as high ceilings, large windows, stucco, and wooden floors, not simply with an old house.
Viele Leute schätzen den besonderen Charme, den nur ein Altbau bietet.
Many people appreciate the special charm that only an old building offers.
Very often, the word is compounded into 'die Altbauwohnung' (apartment in an old building). Typical adjectives that describe an 'Altbau' (old building) are 'saniert' (refurbished), 'renoviert' (renovated), or 'charmant' (charming).
Sie sucht eine sanierte Altbauwohnung mit Balkon.
She is looking for a refurbished apartment in an old building with a balcony.
new building
'der Neubau' and 'der Altbau' both describe buildings according to their age and construction style. 'Neubau' means a building that was built only recently. 'Altbau' means a much older building, often with high ceilings, wooden floors, and an older style of construction. The words can be confused because both are often used when talking about apartments and houses. In practice: if the building is modern and new, you say 'Neubau'; if it comes from an older period, you say 'Altbau'.
Der Altbau hat hohe Decken und einen schönen alten Holzboden.
The old building has high ceilings and a beautiful old wooden floor.
Im Neubau neben dem Bahnhof sind die Wohnungen hell und modern.
In the new building next to the train station, the apartments are bright and modern.