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.
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.
area / surface
'die Fläche' and 'die Freifläche' can both refer to a specific area. 'die Fläche' is the more general word: it can be a piece of ground, a surface, or a larger area. 'die Freifläche' emphasizes that an area is open, empty, or not built on. This can be a piece of land in a city, but also an empty area on a plan or a page. Learners may confuse the words because both describe measurable areas. If only the size or location is important, people usually say 'Fläche'. If it is important that nothing is there or that the area can still be used, 'Freifläche' fits better.
Neben dem Bahnhof bleibt eine Freifläche für den Wochenmarkt.
Next to the station, an open space remains for the weekly market.
Die Fläche hinter dem Haus wird im Sommer als Garten genutzt.
The area behind the house is used as a garden in summer.