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.
lounge
A Lounge and an Aufenthaltsraum (common room) are both comfortable rooms for waiting or relaxing. A Lounge usually seems more elegant and more often offers additional service, while an Aufenthaltsraum is more functional and shared by a group. In a hotel or club, Lounge is therefore usually the better choice; in a school or office, Aufenthaltsraum is more appropriate.
In der Schulpause trafen sich die Schüler im Aufenthaltsraum.
The students met in the common room during their school break.
Vor dem Abflug warteten wir mit Getränken in der eleganten Lounge.
Before our flight, we waited with drinks in the elegant lounge.
