outdoors
das Freie
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the outdoors
The area outside under the open sky, away from buildings. It is mostly used in the phrases „im Freien“ (outdoors) and „ins Freie“ (outside).
Bei schönem Wetter findet der Unterricht im Freien statt.
When the weather is nice, classes take place outdoors.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Freien |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Freie | – |
| accusative | das Freie | – |
| dative | dem Freien | – |
| genitive | des Freien | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
„Das Freie“ (the outdoors) is formed from the adjective „frei“ (free), which is used here as a noun. In the common phrases „im Freien“ (outdoors) and „ins Freie“ (outside), the ending is important: the word does not appear as the unchanged „frei“ (free).
Wir verbringen unsere Mittagspause gern im Freien.
We like to spend our lunch break outdoors.
Nach dem Frühstück gehen wir ins Freie.
After breakfast, we go outside.
„Im Freien“ (outdoors) takes the dative and describes the location of an activity. „Ins Freie“ (outside) takes the accusative and describes movement outdoors; what matters is whether something happens outside or leads outside.
Die Kinder laufen im Freien um die Wette.
The children race each other outdoors.
Die Kinder laufen aus der Turnhalle ins Freie.
The children run out of the gymnasium into the open air.
Common phrases include „im Freien übernachten“ (to spend the night outdoors), „im Freien Sport treiben“ (to do sports outdoors), and „im Freien stattfinden“ (to take place outdoors). For events, the phrase „im Freien“ (outdoors) can be important because the weather affects the planning.
Das Konzert findet im Freien statt und fällt bei starkem Regen aus.
The concert takes place outdoors and will be canceled if it rains heavily.
