der Balkon
balcony
A platform on the outside of a building that is accessible from an apartment and surrounded by a railing.
EXAMPLE
Im Sommer stellen wir immer Blumenkästen auf den Balkon.
In summer, we always put flower boxes on the balcony.
der Balkon
balcony
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Meanings
der Balkon
balcony
A raised seating area in a theater or concert hall located above the stalls/orchestra section. Synonymous with 'der Rang' (the circle/balcony).
EXAMPLE
Von unseren Plätzen auf dem Balkon hatten wir eine hervorragende Sicht auf die Bühne.
From our seats on the balcony, we had an excellent view of the stage.
Usage tips
Prepositions: location and direction
Pay attention to the case after the preposition 'auf' (on/onto). 'Auf dem Balkon' (dative) describes a location, while 'auf den Balkon' (accusative) indicates a direction.
EXAMPLE
Die Katze schläft auf dem Balkon in der Sonne.
The cat is sleeping in the sun on the balcony.
Context clue
You can easily recognize which meaning is intended from the context. If it is about an apartment or house, the platform on the building is meant. If a theater, opera house, or concert hall is being discussed, the raised seats are meant.
EXAMPLE
Unsere neue Wohnung hat einen großen Balkon.
Our new apartment has a large balcony.
Typical collocations
Common expressions include 'einen Balkon haben' (to have a balcony), 'auf dem Balkon sitzen' (to sit on the balcony), 'rauchen' (to smoke) or 'frühstücken' (to have breakfast), and 'Pflanzen auf dem Balkon haben' (to have plants on the balcony).
EXAMPLE
An warmen Abenden sitzen wir gerne auf dem Balkon.
On warm evenings, we like to sit on the balcony.
Compare with
Balkon vs Galerie
gallery
Galerie and Balkon can both refer to an elevated seating area for spectators in a theater. Galerie emphasizes the upper tier or gallery, while Balkon usually refers to the raised seating area above the stalls. Both words are possible; the choice mainly depends on the hall's customary terminology.
Balkon
Für die günstigen Plätze auf dem obersten Balkon mussten wir viele Treppen steigen.
We had to climb many stairs to reach the inexpensive seats on the top balcony.
Galerie
Für die günstigen Plätze in der obersten Galerie mussten wir viele Treppen steigen.
We had to climb many stairs to reach the inexpensive seats in the top gallery.
In real life
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