building
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building
A structure with a roof and walls that was built by people in order to live, work, or store things in it.
Das alte Gebäude am Marktplatz wird gerade renoviert.
The old building on the market square is currently being renovated.
'Gebäude' (building) derives from the verb 'bauen' (to build). The prefix 'Ge-' forms a collective word here that means 'das Gebaute' (what has been built). This structure is also found in words like 'Gebirge' (mountain range, many mountains) or 'Gemälde' (painting, what has been painted).
Die Firma hat ein neues Bürogebäude gebaut.
The company built a new office building.
Pay attention to the case with prepositions: 'in das Gebäude gehen' (to go into the building, accusative) describes movement into it, while 'in dem Gebäude sein' (to be in the building, dative) describes a fixed location.
Die Feuerwehrleute rannten sofort in das brennende Gebäude.
The firefighters immediately ran into the burning building.
Common verbs in connection with 'Gebäude' (building) describe its life cycle: 'ein Gebäude errichten' (to construct/build a building), 'renovieren' (to renovate), and 'abreißen' (to demolish).
Das alte Fabrikgebäude wurde letztes Jahr abgerissen.
The old factory building was demolished last year.
'Gebäude' (building) is often described with adjectives like 'historisch' (historic), 'modern' (modern), 'öffentlich' (public), 'verlassen' (abandoned), or 'denkmalgeschützt' (listed/protected as a historic monument).
In der Altstadt stehen viele historische Gebäude.
There are many historic buildings in the old town.
house
'das Haus' and 'das Gebäude' both refer to something built with walls and a roof. 'Haus' is used especially for a building where people live. It sounds more personal and more typical in everyday speech. 'Gebäude' is more general: it can be a residential house, a school, an office, or a warehouse. Learners may confuse the words because every house is also a building. But not every building is a house. If the function of living there is important, 'Haus' fits better. If the type of structure is meant in general, 'Gebäude' is more precise.
Vor der Schule wird gerade ein neues Gebäude gebaut.
A new building is currently being built in front of the school.
Unsere Nachbarn haben ein kleines Haus mit Garten gekauft.
Our neighbors bought a small house with a garden.