die Gärtnerei
nursery
A business where plants, especially ornamental plants and vegetables, are grown and often also sold.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe in der Gärtnerei neue Blumen für den Balkon gekauft.
I bought new flowers for the balcony at the nursery.
die Gärtnerei
nursery / gardening
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Meanings
die Gärtnerei
gardening
The activity or craft of gardening; the full range of gardening work. This meaning is less common than the term for the business.
EXAMPLE
Er widmete sich mit Leidenschaft der Gärtnerei und verbrachte jede freie Minute im Garten.
He devoted himself passionately to gardening and spent every free minute in the garden.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is formed from 'der Gärtner' (the gardener) and the ending '-ei'. The ending '-ei' often refers to a place where a craft or business is carried out, as in 'Bäckerei' (bakery) or 'Metzgerei' (butcher’s shop).
EXAMPLE
Die örtliche Gärtnerei ist bekannt für ihre große Auswahl an Rosen.
The local nursery is known for its large selection of roses.
Correct preposition
To describe movement, use 'in die Gärtnerei' with the accusative. To describe a place or stay, use 'in der Gärtnerei' with the dative.
EXAMPLE
Wir fahren am Samstag in die Gärtnerei, um neue Kräuter zu holen.
We’re going to the nursery on Saturday to get new herbs.
Typical collocations
Common verbs used in connection with a Gärtnerei (nursery) are 'eine Gärtnerei betreiben' (to run a nursery), 'in einer Gärtnerei arbeiten' (to work in a nursery), or 'Pflanzen aus der Gärtnerei beziehen' (to obtain plants from the nursery).
EXAMPLE
Meine Tante betreibt eine kleine Gärtnerei am Stadtrand.
My aunt runs a small nursery on the outskirts of town.
Context clue
The meaning 'Handwerk des Gärtnerns' (craft of gardening) is very rare and more likely to be found in formal or literary language. In everyday speech, 'Gärtnerei' almost always means the business where you buy plants.
EXAMPLE
Sein Buch über die hohe Kunst der Gärtnerei war ein großer Erfolg.
His book on the high art of gardening was a great success.
Compare with
Gärtnerei vs Gartenbau
horticulture
“Gartenbau” and “Gärtnerei” can both be associated with the professional cultivation of plants. “Gartenbau” refers to the professional or scientific field, while “Gärtnerei” usually means the business where plants are grown and sold. When talking about the industry, “Gartenbau” is appropriate; when referring to the business, use “Gärtnerei”.
Gärtnerei
Meine Schwester arbeitet in einer Gärtnerei und verkauft dort verschiedene Pflanzen.
My sister works at a nursery, where she sells a variety of plants.
Gartenbau
Meine Schwester arbeitet im Gartenbau und plant Anlagen für verschiedene Pflanzen.
My sister works in horticulture and plans landscapes for a variety of plants.
In real life
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