01
das Land
country
A state or nation with its own government and its own territory.
example
Frankreich ist ein Nachbarland von Deutschland.
France is a neighboring country of Germany.
das Land
country / countryside / land
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Meanings
01 / 05
Usage tips
Context clue
Pay attention to the prepositions and the context to distinguish the meanings. 'In einem Land' usually means a country, while 'auf dem Land' refers to the countryside.
EXAMPLE
In welchem Land möchtest du am liebsten leben?
Which country would you most like to live in?
Compound formation
'Land' is the basis for many important words. Examples are 'das Ausland' (foreign country/abroad), 'das Inland' (domestic country/home country), or 'das Nachbarland' (neighboring country).
EXAMPLE
Nächstes Jahr möchte ich eine Reise ins Ausland machen.
Next year I would like to take a trip abroad.
Note on the plural
The plural 'die Länder' almost always refers to countries (m01) or federal states (m03). For the rural region (m02), the plural is hardly ever used.
EXAMPLE
Die Länder der Europäischen Union haben eine gemeinsame Währung.
The countries of the European Union have a common currency.
Direction and location
For the meaning 'ländliche Region' (rural region), the prepositions are crucial. 'Aufs Land' (with accusative) describes movement there, while 'auf dem Land' (with dative) describes a location.
EXAMPLE
Am Wochenende fahren wir oft aufs Land.
We often drive to the countryside on weekends.
Fixed expression
The exclamation 'Land in Sicht!' (Land in sight!) is a fixed expression. It is used not only on ships, but also figuratively when the end of a long, difficult phase has been reached.
EXAMPLE
Nach der langen Fahrt rief jemand: „Land in Sicht!“
After the long journey, someone shouted: 'Land in sight!'
Figurative meaning
The idiom 'Land sehen' is meant figuratively. It means that in a difficult or drawn-out situation, you are finally making progress or finding a solution.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss nur noch dieses Kapitel schreiben, dann sehe ich bei meiner Abschlussarbeit endlich Land.
I only have to write this chapter, and then I can finally see light at the end of the tunnel with my thesis.
Compare with
Land vs Stadt
city
'die Stadt' and 'das Land' are often opposites when talking about places to live or living environments. 'Stadt' means a larger, built-up place with many houses, streets, shops, and people. Here, 'Land' means the rural area outside cities, often with villages, fields, and more nature. Important: 'das Land' can also mean a country, but in this contrast it is not about a country like Germany; it is about life outside the city.
Land
Auf dem Land hört man abends oft nur die Tiere und den Wind.
In the countryside, in the evening you often hear only the animals and the wind.
Stadt
In der Stadt gibt es viele Busse, Geschäfte und Restaurants.
In the city there are many buses, shops, and restaurants.
In real life
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