ländlich
rural
Refers to the countryside as opposed to the city; characteristic of villages and nature outside urban areas.
EXAMPLE
Wir genießen die Ruhe in dieser ländlichen Gegend.
We enjoy the peace and quiet in this rural area.
ländlich
rural
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Meanings
ländlich
rustic / country-style
Describes a simple, traditional, or rustic style that is often associated with life in the countryside.
EXAMPLE
Das Gasthaus ist für seine gute, ländliche Küche bekannt.
The inn is known for its good, rustic country cooking.
Usage tips
Word formation
The adjective 'ländlich' (rural) is derived from the noun 'das Land' (the country/countryside). The ending '-lich' is often used to form an adjective from a noun that describes belonging or a characteristic.
EXAMPLE
Wir machen Urlaub in einer sehr ländlichen Region in Bayern.
We are taking a vacation in a very rural region in Bavaria.
Context clue
When 'ländlich' (rural) describes geographic terms like 'Gegend' (area), 'Region' (region), or 'Raum' (area/space), it means 'belonging to the countryside.' If it describes things like 'Küche' (cuisine), 'Möbel' (furniture), or 'Charme' (charm), it more likely means 'simple, traditional, rustic.'
EXAMPLE
Die ländliche Bevölkerung hat oft andere Sorgen als die Menschen in der Stadt.
The rural population often has different concerns than people in the city.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'belonging to the countryside,' 'ländlich' (rural) is frequently combined with geographic or administrative terms. Typical examples are 'ländliche Gegend' (rural area), 'ländlicher Raum' (rural area), or 'ländliche Gemeinde' (rural municipality).
EXAMPLE
Die Regierung fördert die Entwicklung im ländlichen Raum.
The government is promoting development in rural areas.
Typical collocations
To describe a simple, traditional style, 'ländlich' (rustic/country-style) is often connected with culture, food, or atmosphere. Common combinations are 'ländliche Küche' (rustic country cooking), 'ländliche Idylle' (rural idyll), or 'ländliche Sitten' (country customs).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Spaziergang genossen wir die deftige, ländliche Küche des Gasthofs.
After the walk, we enjoyed the hearty, rustic country cooking of the inn.
Compare with
ländlich vs bäuerlich
rural / peasant-like
Ländlich generally describes a place or way of life outside the city. Bäuerlich, on the other hand, emphasizes a connection with farmers, agriculture, or their way of life. Ländlich is suitable for a village without any particular connection to agriculture; bäuerlich is more appropriate for a farm or a way of life shaped by agriculture.
ländlich
Das kleine Dorf mit seinen ruhigen Straßen ist deutlich ländlich geprägt.
The small village, with its quiet streets, is distinctly rural in character.
bäuerlich
Der aktive Bauernhof mit seinen Ställen ist deutlich bäuerlich geprägt.
The working farm, with its barns, is distinctly agricultural in character.
In real life
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