01
der Garten
garden
A defined piece of land, usually by a house, where plants such as flowers, vegetables, or fruit are grown.
example
Im Sommer sitzen wir oft im Garten und grillen.
In summer, we often sit in the garden and barbecue.
der Garten
garden
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Place and direction
Pay attention to the preposition 'in' and the case. 'Im Garten' (in the garden, dative) describes a location, while 'in den Garten' (into the garden, accusative) expresses movement or direction.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder spielen im Garten.
The children are playing in the garden.
Compound words
'Garten' (garden) is a very productive word and forms many useful compounds. Examples are 'die Gartenarbeit' (gardening), 'der Gemüsegarten' (vegetable garden), or 'das Gartentor' (garden gate).
EXAMPLE
Am Wochenende mache ich immer die Gartenarbeit.
I always do the gardening on the weekend.
Typical activities
Common verbs associated with a private garden are 'im Garten arbeiten' (to work in the garden), 'im Garten sitzen' (to sit in the garden), 'im Garten grillen' (to barbecue in the garden), or 'Blumen pflanzen' (to plant flowers).
EXAMPLE
Mein Nachbar arbeitet jeden Tag in seinem Garten.
My neighbor works in his garden every day.
Public parks
When 'Garten' (garden) is part of a proper name, as in 'Englischer Garten' (English Garden) or 'Botanischer Garten' (Botanical Garden), it almost always refers to a large public park.
EXAMPLE
Der Englische Garten in München ist weltberühmt.
The English Garden in Munich is world-famous.
Compare with
Garten vs Park
park
'der Garten' and 'der Park' are both green places with plants. A 'Garten' often belongs to a house and is more private. People plant flowers, vegetables, or fruit there. A 'Park' is usually public and larger. People go there to walk, sit, or relax. The words can be confused because both can be green spaces. In some proper names, 'Garten' can also mean a public park. In everyday use, however, the rule is: private and by a house is usually 'Garten'; public and in the city is usually 'Park'.
Garten
Im Sommer essen wir oft im Garten hinter dem Haus.
In summer, we often eat in the garden behind the house.
Park
Nach der Arbeit bin ich noch eine Runde durch den Park gegangen.
After work, I went for another walk through the park.
In real life
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