lecture hall
Loading your saved state.
lecture hall
A large room at a university or college where lectures are held for a large number of students.
Der Professor betrat den überfüllten Hörsaal und begann seine Vorlesung.
The professor entered the overcrowded lecture hall and began his lecture.
The word 'Hörsaal' (lecture hall) is a compound of the verb 'hören' (to hear/listen) and the noun 'der Saal' (hall). So it literally describes a hall where people listen, typically to a lecture.
Die Akustik in diesem Hörsaal ist leider sehr schlecht.
Unfortunately, the acoustics in this lecture hall are very bad.
Pay attention to the difference with the preposition 'in'. When describing movement, use the accusative: 'in den Hörsaal gehen' (to go into the lecture hall). When describing a location, use the dative: 'im Hörsaal sitzen' (to sit in the lecture hall).
Die Studierenden strömten in den Hörsaal.
The students streamed into the lecture hall.
'Hörsaal' (lecture hall) is used almost exclusively in the context of universities and colleges. Typical adjectives are 'überfüllt' (overcrowded), 'leer' (empty), or 'modern' (modern), and typical verbs are 'betreten' (to enter), 'verlassen' (to leave), or 'eine Vorlesung halten' (to give a lecture).
Der größte Hörsaal der Uni fasst über 500 Personen.
The university's largest lecture hall holds over 500 people.
auditorium
Hörsaal and Auditorium can both refer to a large room for talks at a university. Hörsaal clearly means a room for lectures, while Auditorium is also used for other events such as talks or concerts. For a regular lecture, Hörsaal is therefore more precise.
Die wöchentliche Vorlesung findet im großen Hörsaal statt.
The weekly lecture is being held in the large lecture hall.
Der öffentliche Festvortrag findet im großen Auditorium statt.
The public ceremonial lecture is being held in the large auditorium.
