grounds / terrain
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grounds
A defined, larger area of land that is used for a specific purpose or belongs to a particular property.
Das Betreten des Firmengeländes ist für Unbefugte verboten.
Entering the company grounds is prohibited for unauthorized persons.
The word 'Gelände' is related to 'Land' (land). The prefix 'Ge-' is often used in German to form a collective term, similar to 'das Gebirge' (a mountain range; a collection of mountains). So 'Gelände' describes a connected area of land.
Das gesamte Gelände um den See herum steht unter Naturschutz.
The entire area around the lake is under nature protection.
When referring to a defined area, 'Gelände' is often combined with the purpose or owner. Typical compounds are 'Firmengelände' (company grounds), 'Messegelände' (exhibition grounds), or 'Schulgelände' (school grounds). You are then 'auf dem Gelände' (on the grounds).
Das Festival findet auf einem riesigen Gelände außerhalb der Stadt statt.
The festival takes place on huge grounds outside the city.
To describe the natural character of the ground, 'Gelände' is often used with certain adjectives. Common combinations are 'hügeliges Gelände' (hilly terrain), 'flaches Gelände' (flat terrain), 'unwegsames Gelände' (rough terrain), or 'steiles Gelände' (steep terrain).
Für diese Bergtour braucht man Schuhe für unwegsames Gelände.
For this mountain tour, you need shoes for rough terrain.
Whether an area or the natural landscape is meant can be recognized from context. If it is about ownership, boundaries, or a specific purpose (e.g., 'Fabrikgelände' — factory grounds), the first meaning is intended. If it is about nature, sports, or geography (e.g., 'bergiges Gelände' — mountainous terrain), the second meaning is intended.
Auf dem privaten Gelände ist das Parken verboten.
Parking is prohibited on the private grounds.
area / field
'das Gebiet' and 'das Gelände' can both mean a piece of land or a spatial area. 'Gebiet' is more general and can refer to a large region, an area, or a territory. 'Gelände' refers more strongly to the concrete area on site, often with its use or its shape, for example 'ein Firmengelände' (company grounds), 'ein Schulgelände' (school grounds), or 'schwieriges Gelände' (difficult terrain) in the mountains. Learners may confuse the words because both are related to land. When talking about a region on a map, 'Gebiet' fits better. When talking about a specific property or the nature of the ground, 'Gelände' is more natural.
Wegen des Regens war das Gelände beim Fußballplatz sehr rutschig.
Because of the rain, the ground by the soccer field was very slippery.
Dieses Gebiet ist im Winter oft schwer zu erreichen.
This area is often difficult to reach in winter.