01
der Hort
after-school care
An institution for supervising schoolchildren after lessons.
example
Nach der vierten Stunde geht meine Tochter direkt in den Hort.
After the fourth lesson, my daughter goes straight to after-school care.
der Hort
after-school care / refuge / treasure
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Context clue
You can clearly recognize the meaning of 'Hort' from context. If it is about schoolchildren and care, it means after-school care. In poetic language, it refers to a place of protection. In fairy tales and legends, it means a treasure.
EXAMPLE
Mein Sohn ist nach der Schule im Hort.
My son is in after-school care after school.
Typical collocations
In connection with childcare, fixed phrases are common: 'ein Kind in den Hort bringen' (to take a child to after-school care), 'das Kind vom Hort abholen' (to pick the child up from after-school care), or 'einen Platz im Hort bekommen' (to get a place in after-school care).
EXAMPLE
Wir suchen für unsere Tochter dringend einen Platz im Hort.
We urgently need a place in after-school care for our daughter.
Elevated style
In the meaning 'Ort des Schutzes' (place of protection), 'Hort' is used only in elevated or poetic language. It often sounds solemn or emotional.
EXAMPLE
Für viele Verfolgte wurde das Land zu einem Hort der Freiheit.
For many persecuted people, the country became a haven of freedom.
Genitive construction
In the elevated meaning, 'Hort' is almost always combined with a genitive that describes what kind of place it is. Typical phrases are: 'ein Hort des Friedens' (a haven of peace), 'der Stabilität' (of stability), or 'der Geborgenheit' (of security).
EXAMPLE
Sein Zuhause war für ihn ein Hort der Geborgenheit.
His home was a place of security for him.
Literary context
The meaning 'Schatz' (treasure) is outdated today and is found almost only in literature, myths, or legends, often in connection with dragons or dwarves.
EXAMPLE
Der Held machte sich auf die Suche nach dem verborgenen Hort.
The hero set out in search of the hidden treasure.
Compare with
Hort vs Schatz
darling / treasure
'der Schatz' and 'der Hort' can both mean a hidden collection of valuable things such as gold or jewelry. 'Schatz' is the normal, easy-to-understand word for this. 'Hort' in this meaning sounds literary, old-fashioned, or like something from a fairy tale. So in everyday language, you almost always say 'Schatz'. 'Hort' fits better in stories, legends, or very elevated texts.
Hort
In der Sage bewachte ein Drache einen Hort aus Gold und Edelsteinen.
In the legend, a dragon guarded a hoard of gold and gemstones.
Schatz
Die Kinder fanden im Garten eine alte Kiste und spielten, sie sei ein Schatz.
The children found an old box in the garden and pretended it was a treasure.
In real life
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