terrace / patio
Loading your saved state.
terrace / patio
A flat, often paved area directly next to a house where you can sit outdoors.
Im Sommer frühstücken wir gerne auf der Terrasse mit Blick in den Garten.
In summer, we like to have breakfast on the terrace with a view of the garden.
You can easily recognize the meaning from the context. If people are talking about a house or garden, it means the area next to the house (m01). If it's about agriculture, mountains, or slopes, it means the cultivated areas (m02).
Die neuen Gartenmöbel stehen jetzt auf der Terrasse.
The new garden furniture is now on the terrace.
To indicate a location, use the preposition 'auf' with the dative. To express movement to that place, use 'auf' with the accusative.
Die Katze schläft in der Sonne auf der Terrasse.
The cat is sleeping in the sun on the terrace.
The terrace next to a house is a place for leisure activities. Typical verbs are 'sitzen' (to sit), 'essen' (to eat), 'grillen' (to barbecue), or 'sich sonnen' (to sunbathe).
Am Wochenende grillen wir oft mit Freunden auf der Terrasse.
On weekends, we often barbecue with friends on the terrace.
In the agricultural meaning, 'Terrasse' (terrace) is often used in the plural and in compounds with the crops grown there. Common examples are 'Weinterrassen' (wine terraces) or 'Reisterrassen' (rice terraces).
Die Weinterrassen am Flussufer sind sehr malerisch.
The wine terraces along the riverbank are very picturesque.
balcony
'der Balkon' and 'die Terrasse' are both places by a house or apartment where you can sit outside. The difference is their location. A 'Balkon' is attached to the outside of a building, is usually higher up, and has a railing. A 'Terrasse' is normally directly next to the house at ground level and is often paved. The words can be confused because you can have plants, chairs, or a table on both. If you step outside from an upper-floor apartment, it is usually a 'Balkon'; if the area is at ground level next to the house, it is a 'Terrasse'.
Im Sommer frühstücken wir oft auf der Terrasse hinter dem Haus.
In summer, we often have breakfast on the terrace behind the house.
Am Abend sitzt Lena auf dem Balkon und liest ein Buch.
In the evening, Lena sits on the balcony and reads a book.