ground
der Erdboden, die Erdböden
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ground
The solid surface of the planet Earth; the ground on which one stands, walks, or builds.
Nach der langen Seereise war er froh, wieder festen Erdboden unter den Füßen zu haben.
After the long sea voyage, he was glad to have solid ground under his feet again.
to raze something to the ground
An idiomatic expression meaning to destroy something completely or raze it to the ground so that nothing is left of it.
Der Tornado hat das gesamte Viertel dem Erdboden gleichgemacht.
The tornado razed the entire neighborhood to the ground.
vanished into thin air
An idiom used when someone or something has suddenly disappeared without a trace.
Seit gestern ist meine Katze wie vom Erdboden verschluckt.
Since yesterday, my cat has vanished into thin air.
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Erdböden |
| genitive | des Erdbodens |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Erdboden | die Erdböden |
| accusative | den Erdboden | die Erdböden |
| dative | dem Erdboden | den Erdböden |
| genitive | des Erdbodens | der Erdböden |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The word 'Erdboden' (ground) is a compound of 'die Erde' (the earth) and 'der Boden' (the ground/floor). It literally means the ground of the earth and emphasizes the solid surface of the planet.
Der Schatz war tief im Erdboden vergraben.
The treasure was buried deep in the ground.
'Erdboden' (ground) is often an elevated or figurative way of saying 'Boden' (ground/floor). It is used to emphasize the solid, basic surface, especially in contrast to the sea or the air.
Der Regen machte den Erdboden weich und matschig.
The rain made the ground soft and muddy.
The idiom 'etwas dem Erdboden gleichmachen' (to raze something to the ground) requires an accusative object. This object is the thing that is completely destroyed.
Die alte Fabrik wurde dem Erdboden gleichgemacht.
The old factory was razed to the ground.
The expression 'wie vom Erdboden verschluckt' (as if swallowed by the ground / vanished into thin air) is always used with a form of the verb 'sein' (to be). It describes that someone or something has disappeared without a trace.
Mein Schlüssel ist einfach weg, wie vom Erdboden verschluckt.
My key is simply gone, vanished into thin air.
floor / ground
Boden is the general term for a surface on which you stand or walk, and it can also refer to the floor in a building. Erdboden, by contrast, refers to the natural, solid surface of the earth outdoors. In such contexts, either word will often work.
Im Garten liegt feuchtes Laub auf dem Erdboden.
Damp leaves are lying on the ground in the garden.
Im Wohnzimmer liegt ein weicher Teppich auf dem Boden.
There is a soft carpet on the floor in the living room.
