open space
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open space
An open, undeveloped, or otherwise unused piece of land, for example a field, a meadow, or an empty lot in a city.
Die Kinder spielen auf der großen Freifläche hinter dem Wohnblock Fußball.
The children play soccer on the large open space behind the apartment block.
blank space
An empty, unused area on a surface, in a layout, or on a plan.
Auf dem Werbeplakat ist noch eine Freifläche für das Logo des Sponsors vorgesehen.
On the advertising poster, a blank space is still reserved for the sponsor's logo.
The word is made up of 'frei' (free/open) and 'Fläche' (area/surface). Its meaning is therefore very literal: an area that is free, meaning undeveloped or unused.
In der Stadt gibt es kaum noch Freiflächen.
There are hardly any open spaces left in the city.
The context makes clear which meaning is intended. If the topic is urban planning, nature, or plots of land, it means an open piece of land. If the topic is design, documents, or advertising, it means an empty area on a surface.
Die Stadt plant, die Freifläche in einen Park umzuwandeln.
The city plans to turn the open space into a park.
In the context of pieces of land, 'Freifläche' is often combined with verbs such as 'bebauen' (to build on), 'gestalten' (to design/shape), or 'nutzen' (to use). Common prepositions are 'auf' (on) or 'zu' (into/as).
Die große Freifläche wurde als Parkplatz genutzt.
The large open space was used as a parking lot.
freedom / open space
Freiraum and Freifläche can both refer to an open area in a city. Freifläche mainly denotes the specific undeveloped or empty piece of land, while Freiraum places greater emphasis on the open area available for use or design. Freifläche is suitable for a meadow or an empty lot, while Freiraum is more suitable for usable space.
Die Stadt legte auf der unbebauten Freifläche eine Wiese an.
The city created a meadow on the undeveloped land.
Zwischen den Häusern blieb ein großer Freiraum für einen Spielplatz.
A large open space was left between the buildings for a playground.
