adjoining room
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adjoining room
A room that is directly next to another, usually larger main room and connected to it.
Die Kinder spielen im Nebenzimmer, während die Erwachsenen im Wohnzimmer sitzen.
The children are playing in the adjoining room while the adults are sitting in the living room.
The word is clearly composed of 'neben' (next to) and 'Zimmer' (room). So it literally describes a room that is located next to another one.
Die Besprechung findet im Nebenzimmer statt.
The meeting is taking place in the adjoining room.
The element 'Neben-' often means 'additional', 'secondary', or 'lying next to'. So a Nebenzimmer (adjoining room) is not the main room, but an adjacent, often smaller room.
Vom Wohnzimmer führt eine Tür direkt ins Nebenzimmer.
A door leads directly from the living room into the adjoining room.
Pay attention to the difference in prepositions: 'im Nebenzimmer' (in the adjoining room; dative) describes a location, while 'ins Nebenzimmer' (into the adjoining room; accusative) describes movement into the room.
Die Gäste unterhalten sich im Nebenzimmer.
The guests are talking in the adjoining room.
back room
'das Hinterzimmer' and 'das Nebenzimmer' can both mean a room that is not the main room. A 'Hinterzimmer' is more likely to be at the back, for example behind a shop or dining room. In addition, 'Hinterzimmer' can be used figuratively and often negatively when secret agreements are made. A 'Nebenzimmer' is simply next to another room and sounds neutral. The words can be confused when talking about rooms in restaurants, offices, or shops. If only the position next to the main room is important, 'Nebenzimmer' fits. If the room is at the back or there is a hint of something secretive, 'Hinterzimmer' is a better fit.
Nach dem Gespräch hat das Team im Nebenzimmer weitergearbeitet.
After the meeting, the team continued working in the adjoining room.
Die Entscheidung wurde nicht öffentlich besprochen, sondern in einem Hinterzimmer getroffen.
The decision was not discussed publicly, but made in a back room.