common room
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common room
A shared room in an institution such as a school, office, or hospital that is used for waiting, breaks, or relaxation.
In der Mittagspause treffen sich die Kollegen oft im Aufenthaltsraum zum Kaffeetrinken.
During the lunch break, the colleagues often meet in the common room for coffee.
The word is made up of 'der Aufenthalt' (stay) and 'der Raum' (room). So it is literally a room for spending time in, for example during a break.
Der neue Aufenthaltsraum hat bequeme Sofas.
The new common room has comfortable sofas.
The first part of the word, 'Aufenthalt' (stay), comes from the verb 'sich aufhalten' (to be in a place / to linger).
Wo hältst du dich in der Mittagspause meistens auf?
Where do you usually spend time during the lunch break?
You typically find an 'Aufenthaltsraum' (common room) in public or shared facilities such as offices, schools, youth hostels, or hospitals.
Die Schüler essen ihr Pausenbrot im Aufenthaltsraum.
The students eat their packed snacks in the common room.
living room
'das Wohnzimmer' and 'der Aufenthaltsraum' are both rooms where people can sit, wait, or relax. The most important difference is the location. A Wohnzimmer belongs to a private apartment or house. An Aufenthaltsraum is more likely to be in a school, office, hospital, or another institution. There, several people use it for breaks or waiting times. The words can be confused because both are places to spend time. At home, however, you say 'Wohnzimmer'; in an institution, usually 'Aufenthaltsraum'.
In der Pause trinken die Mitarbeiter im Aufenthaltsraum Kaffee.
During the break, the employees drink coffee in the common room.
Das Wohnzimmer ist der hellste Raum in unserer Wohnung.
The living room is the brightest room in our apartment.