neighborhood / entertainment district
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neighborhood
A city neighborhood or a smaller, manageable part of a district with its own character and a strong sense of community, especially in Berlin and northern Germany.
Sie wohnt in einem lebendigen Kiez in Kreuzberg mit vielen Cafés und kleinen Läden.
She lives in a lively neighborhood in Kreuzberg with many cafés and small shops.
entertainment district
Colloquially, especially in Hamburg, a term for an entertainment and red-light district.
Am Wochenende ist auf dem Hamburger Kiez immer viel los.
On weekends, there is always a lot going on in Hamburg's entertainment district.
'Kiez' is a colloquial term used mainly in Berlin and northern Germany. In southern Germany or Austria, the word is uncommon.
Er kennt jeden in seinem Kiez.
He knows everyone in his neighborhood.
The meaning depends strongly on the city. In Berlin, 'Kiez' means a residential neighborhood. In Hamburg, 'der Kiez' is a fixed term for the St. Pauli entertainment district.
In Berlin hat jeder Kiez seinen eigenen Charakter.
In Berlin, every neighborhood has its own character.
When 'Kiez' describes a residential neighborhood, it is often combined with possessive pronouns to express a personal connection. Typical phrases are 'mein Kiez' (my neighborhood), 'unser Kiez' (our neighborhood), or 'im Kiez leben' (to live in the neighborhood).
Sie fühlt sich in ihrem Kiez sehr wohl.
She feels very comfortable in her neighborhood.
When referring to Hamburg's entertainment district, the preposition 'auf' is used. You go 'auf den Kiez' or celebrate 'auf dem Kiez'.
Gestern Abend waren wir auf dem Kiez etwas trinken.
Yesterday evening we went for drinks in the entertainment district.
quarter / district
Viertel and Kiez can both refer to the part of the city that someone considers their own. Viertel is neutral and generally understood. Kiez is colloquial, especially in Berlin and northern Germany, and often conveys a sense of familiarity, distinctive character, and community. Viertel is suitable for a neutral description, while Kiez fits a familiar local area.
Ein Berliner nennt dieselbe vertraute Gegend seinen Kiez.
A Berliner calls the same familiar area his neighborhood.
Im Stadtführer wird die Gegend neutral als lebendiges Viertel beschrieben.
The guidebook describes the area neutrally as a lively district.
