die Gegend
area / region
An area or region with undefined boundaries; the immediate surroundings of a place.
EXAMPLE
In dieser Gegend gibt es viele schöne Wanderwege.
There are many beautiful hiking trails in this area.
die Gegend
area
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Meanings
die Gegend
area
Colloquial for a specific area of the body.
EXAMPLE
Mir tut es seit gestern in der Magengegend weh.
I've had pain in the stomach area since yesterday.
Usage tips
Fixed expression
The expression 'in der Gegend' is very common and means 'in the immediate area' or 'near here'. It is often used to talk about where you live or where you are staying.
EXAMPLE
Gibt es hier in der Gegend einen guten Bäcker?
Is there a good bakery here in the area?
Typical adjectives
When Gegend describes a region, it is often combined with adjectives that characterize the landscape or atmosphere. Typical phrases are 'eine schöne Gegend' (a beautiful area), 'eine ländliche Gegend' (a rural area), or 'eine gefährliche Gegend' (a dangerous area).
EXAMPLE
Sie sind in eine sehr schöne Gegend mit viel Natur gezogen.
They moved to a very beautiful area with lots of nature.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning 'Körperbereich' (area of the body) from the fact that Gegend is almost always combined with a body part. It often forms a compound word such as 'Magengegend' (stomach area) or 'Nierengegend' (kidney area).
EXAMPLE
Der Schmerz befindet sich in der Herzgegend.
The pain is located in the heart area.
Colloquial style
Using Gegend for an area of the body is typical of colloquial speech, especially at doctor's appointments or in everyday conversations about pain.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe seit gestern ein komisches Gefühl in der Magengegend.
I've had a strange feeling in the stomach area since yesterday.
Compare with
Gegend vs Bereich
area / field
Bereich and Gegend can refer to an approximate area of the body. Bereich sounds neutral and factual and is suitable, for example, in a medical conversation. Gegend is colloquial in this use and is better suited to a casual description.
Gegend
Mir tut es hier in der Gegend der rechten Schulter weh.
It hurts here around my right shoulder.
Bereich
Die Patientin hat Schmerzen im Bereich der rechten Schulter.
The patient has pain in the area of her right shoulder.
In real life
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