01
der Gerichtssaal
courtroom
The room in a courthouse where court hearings and trials take place.
example
Der Angeklagte wurde von den Wachtmeistern in den Gerichtssaal geführt.
The defendant was led into the courtroom by the bailiffs.
der Gerichtssaal
courtroom
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word composition
'Gerichtssaal' (courtroom) is a compound noun made from 'das Gericht' (court), the linking s, and 'der Saal' (hall; a large room). So it is literally the 'Saal des Gerichts' (hall of the court).
EXAMPLE
Die Verhandlung findet im größten Gerichtssaal des Gebäudes statt.
The trial is taking place in the largest courtroom in the building.
Prepositions: location vs. direction
Pay attention to the case after the preposition 'in'. 'In den Gerichtssaal' (into the courtroom; accusative) describes movement into it, while 'im Gerichtssaal' (in the courtroom; dative) describes the place where someone is located.
EXAMPLE
Der Zeuge betrat den Gerichtssaal.
The witness entered the courtroom.
Typical verbs
Common verbs connected with 'Gerichtssaal' (courtroom) describe entering, leaving, or what happens in the room. Typical phrases are: 'den Gerichtssaal betreten' (to enter the courtroom), 'jemanden in den Saal führen' (to lead someone into the hall), or 'im Gerichtssaal verhandeln' (to hold proceedings in the courtroom).
EXAMPLE
Alle mussten aufstehen, als der Richter den Gerichtssaal betrat.
Everyone had to stand up when the judge entered the courtroom.
Compare with
Gerichtssaal vs Gerichtshof
court of justice
'Gerichtshof' and 'Gerichtssaal' both have to do with courts, but they do not mean the same thing. A 'Gerichtshof' is a high court or an important judicial body that makes decisions. A 'Gerichtssaal' is only the room where a hearing or trial takes place. Learners may confuse the words because both begin with 'Gericht'. Pay attention to the second part: '-hof' refers here to the institution, while '-saal' refers to the room.
Gerichtssaal
Vor der Verhandlung warteten die Zeugen leise vor dem Gerichtssaal.
Before the hearing, the witnesses waited quietly outside the courtroom.
Gerichtshof
Der Gerichtshof hat über den Streit zwischen den beiden Ländern entschieden.
The court of justice decided on the dispute between the two countries.
In real life
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