die Wache
guard
A person or group of people (e.g., soldiers, police officers) whose job is to guard and protect a place or someone.
EXAMPLE
Die Wache am Eingang kontrollierte die Ausweise.
The guard at the entrance checked the IDs.
die Wache
guard / station
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
die Wache
guard duty
The duty of guarding; the period of time during which someone stands guard.
EXAMPLE
Mein Bruder hat heute Nacht von Mitternacht bis vier Uhr morgens Wache.
My brother is on guard duty tonight from midnight until four in the morning.
die Wache
station
The building or room where the guard team stays; a police station.
EXAMPLE
Der Zeuge machte seine Aussage auf der Wache.
The witness gave his statement at the station.
Usage tips
Word family
'Die Wache' (the guard / station) is closely related to the verb 'wachen' (to stay awake, to watch) and the adjective 'wach' (awake). All of these words relate to the idea of alertness and protection.
EXAMPLE
Der Hund wacht die ganze Nacht vor der Tür.
The dog keeps watch in front of the door all night.
Context clues
You can recognize the meaning of 'Wache' from context: if it refers to a person, they often stand at a place ('die Wache am Tor' — the guard at the gate). If it refers to the activity, the verb 'halten' or 'haben' is usually used ('Wache halten' — to stand guard). If it means the building, location prepositions are used ('auf der Wache' — at the station).
EXAMPLE
Die Wache kontrollierte jeden, der das Gebäude betrat.
The guard checked everyone who entered the building.
Fixed expression
To express the activity of guarding, the fixed expression 'Wache halten' (to stand guard) or 'Wache haben' (to be on guard duty) is almost always used. The noun appears here without an article.
EXAMPLE
Wer hält heute Nacht Wache?
Who is standing guard tonight?
Correct preposition
When 'die Wache' means a building (e.g., a police station), pay attention to the prepositions: 'auf der Wache sein' (to be at the station) describes the location, while 'zur Wache gehen' (to go to the station) indicates direction.
EXAMPLE
Er musste seinen verlorenen Geldbeutel auf der Wache abholen.
He had to pick up his lost wallet at the station.
Compare with
Wache vs Polizei
police
Polizei and Wache can both refer to the building that houses a police station. „Polizei“ actually refers to the institution and denotes the building only from context, whereas „Wache“ explicitly names the place of duty but can also refer to other guard stations.
Wache
Ich gehe kurz zur Wache, um den Diebstahl zu melden.
I’m just going to the station to report the theft.
Polizei
Ich gehe kurz zur Polizei, um den Diebstahl zu melden.
I’m just going to the police station to report the theft.
In real life
Loading video examples...