01
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
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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 Stelle
place / position
'die Stelle' and 'die Gegend' can both mean a place. But 'die Stelle' is an exact point or spot, for example on a map, on the street, or in a room. 'Die Gegend' is larger and less exact; it means the surrounding area or a region. They can be confused when speaking generally about places. If you can show very precisely where something is, 'Stelle' fits better. If you are talking about the surrounding area, 'Gegend' fits better.
Gegend
Im Sommer kommen viele Wanderer in diese Gegend.
In summer, many hikers come to this area.
Stelle
An dieser Stelle ist der Weg besonders schmal.
At this spot, the path is especially narrow.
In real life
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