die City
city center
The center of a larger city, especially the area with the most shops, offices, and cultural institutions.
EXAMPLE
Wir treffen uns um 18 Uhr in der City zum Abendessen.
We're meeting at 6 p.m. in the city center for dinner.
die City
city center
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
Usage tips
Anglicism in usage
The word 'City' (city center) is an Anglicism, that is, a loanword from English. In German, it is often used in colloquial speech and informal contexts for the city center.
EXAMPLE
Lass uns später in der City einen Kaffee trinken gehen.
Let's go have a coffee in the city center later.
Movement and location
Pay attention to the preposition and case: when you are moving into the city center, you say 'in die City' (accusative). When you are already there, you use 'in der City' (dative).
EXAMPLE
Wir fahren am Abend in die City, um ins Kino zu gehen.
We're going into the city center in the evening to go to the movies.
Typical collocations
Common activities associated with 'City' (city center) are 'in der City shoppen' (to shop in the city center), 'in die City fahren' (to go into the city center), or 'in der City bummeln' (to stroll around the city center).
EXAMPLE
Am Samstag gehe ich mit Freunden in der City shoppen.
On Saturday, I'm going shopping with friends in the city center.
Compare with
City vs Innenstadt
city center
City and Innenstadt can both refer to the central area with many shops, offices, and cultural institutions. City sounds more colloquial and has stronger commercial associations, while Innenstadt describes the central location more neutrally. Innenstadt is usually the better choice in a factual statement, while City is also common in everyday speech.
City
Am Samstag gehen wir zum Einkaufen in die City.
On Saturday, we're going shopping downtown.
Innenstadt
Am Samstag gehen wir zum Einkaufen in die Innenstadt.
On Saturday, we're going shopping downtown.
In real life
Loading video examples...