das Quartier
district / quarter
A district or a specific area within a city, often with its own character.
EXAMPLE
Das neue Quartier am Hafen ist sehr beliebt bei jungen Familien.
The new quarter by the harbor is very popular with young families.
das Quartier
quarter / accommodation
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Meanings
das Quartier
quarters / accommodation
Accommodation, especially for soldiers or for a temporary period of time.
EXAMPLE
Die Soldaten bezogen ihr Quartier in der alten Kaserne.
The soldiers took up their quarters in the old barracks.
das Quartier
shelter / quarters
An animal's shelter or resting place, for example winter quarters.
EXAMPLE
Fledermäuse suchen im Herbst ein frostsicheres Quartier für den Winterschlaf.
In autumn, bats look for frost-proof quarters for hibernation.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word 'Quartier' (quarter; accommodation) is related to the number 'vier' (four), as in 'Quartal' (quarter of a year) or 'quarter' in English. Originally it referred to a fourth part; today it more generally means a separated area or place.
EXAMPLE
Das lateinische Viertel in Paris ist ein berühmtes Quartier.
The Latin Quarter in Paris is a famous quarter.
Context clue: city
When the topic is cities, architecture, housing, or urban planning, 'Quartier' (quarter) always means 'Stadtteil' (district) or 'Wohnviertel' (residential neighborhood).
EXAMPLE
In unserem Quartier gibt es viele kleine Läden und Cafés.
There are many small shops and cafés in our quarter.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'Unterkunft' (accommodation), 'Quartier' (quarters; accommodation) is often used with the verbs 'beziehen' (to take up), 'aufschlagen' (to set up), or 'suchen' (to look for).
EXAMPLE
Die Wanderer suchten für die Nacht ein trockenes Quartier.
The hikers looked for dry accommodation for the night.
Context clue: animals
In connection with animals, especially in autumn or winter, 'Quartier' (quarters; shelter) means a shelter that protects from the cold, for example a 'Winterquartier' (winter quarters).
EXAMPLE
Igel suchen sich im Herbst ein Quartier aus Laub und Ästen.
Hedgehogs look for a shelter made of leaves and branches in autumn.
Compare with
Quartier vs Viertel
quarter / district
Viertel and Quartier can both refer to a specific area of a city. Viertel is the general, neutral choice; Quartier often has regional or urban-planning associations and tends to emphasize an area with its own character. Viertel is usually appropriate in everyday speech, while Quartier fits corresponding regional or planning contexts.
Quartier
Der Stadtplan beschreibt dieselbe Gegend als historisches Quartier.
The city map describes the same area as a historic quarter.
Viertel
Lea sagt im Alltag, dass sie in einem historischen Viertel wohnt.
In everyday conversation, Lea says that she lives in a historic neighborhood.
In real life
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