01
der Boden
floor / ground
The surface on which you stand or walk, whether outdoors (ground) or in a building (floor).
example
Das Glas fiel auf den Boden und zerbrach.
The glass fell on the floor and broke.
der Boden
floor / ground
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 06
Usage tips
Movement and location
Pay attention to the preposition and the case. 'Auf dem Boden' (on the floor/ground; dative) describes a location. 'Auf den Boden' (onto the floor/ground; accusative) describes movement toward it.
EXAMPLE
Die Katze schläft auf dem Boden in der Sonne.
The cat is sleeping on the floor in the sun.
Word component
'Boden' (floor/ground) is a very productive word and part of many compounds. When you see '-boden' at the end of a word, it often has to do with a surface, the ground, or a level, e.g. 'Fußboden' (floor), 'Meeresboden' (seabed), 'Dachboden' (attic).
EXAMPLE
Der Holzboden im Wohnzimmer ist neu.
The wooden floor in the living room is new.
Typical collocations
When 'Boden' (soil) means earth, it is often described with adjectives such as 'fruchtbar' (fertile), 'sandig' (sandy), or 'trocken' (dry). Plants 'wachsen im Boden' (grow in the soil).
EXAMPLE
Für diese Pflanzen brauchen Sie einen sehr fruchtbaren Boden.
For these plants, you need very fertile soil.
Context clue
In the combination 'Boden + von/des' (bottom of) with a container or body of water, it always means the lowest part. Typical phrases are 'der Boden des Glases' (the bottom of the glass) or 'der Boden des Sees' (the bottom of the lake).
EXAMPLE
Am Boden der Tasse war noch Kaffeesatz.
There were still coffee grounds at the bottom of the cup.
Regional usage
The use of 'der Boden' (the attic) for the attic is common especially in northern and central Germany. In other regions, especially in the south, 'der Dachboden' (the attic) is more common.
EXAMPLE
Die alten Kisten stehen oben auf dem Boden.
The old boxes are upstairs in the attic.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'am Boden zerstört sein' (to be devastated) is a fixed expression and means that someone is emotionally very down. The person who feels this way is the subject of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Nach der schlechten Nachricht war er tagelang am Boden zerstört.
After the bad news, he was devastated for days.
Compare with
Boden vs Grund
reason / ground
'der Grund' and 'der Boden' can both refer to something low down or to land. 'Der Boden' is the normal word for the surface you stand on, for soil, or for the lower part of a room or container. 'Der Grund' is more suitable for land as property or for the deepest part of a body of water. Learners may confuse the words because both sometimes have to do with earth or something below. In everyday language, you usually say 'Boden' when you mean the floor, the ground, or the surface.
Boden
Nach der Arbeit hat Mehmet den Boden in der Küche geputzt.
After work, Mehmet cleaned the kitchen floor.
Grund
Am Grund des Sees liegen viele alte Äste.
At the bottom of the lake, there are many old branches.
In real life
Loading video examples...