01
der Westen
west
The cardinal direction in which the sun sets.
example
Unser Balkon ist nach Westen ausgerichtet, deshalb haben wir Abendsonne.
Our balcony faces west, so we get evening sun.
der Westen
west
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 03
Usage tips
Use with article
As a noun for a cardinal direction, 'der Westen' (the west) is almost always used with the definite article. You say 'im Westen' (in the west) for position or 'nach Westen' (to the west/westward) for direction.
EXAMPLE
Die Vögel ziehen im Herbst Richtung Süden, nicht nach Westen.
In autumn, the birds migrate south, not west.
Position vs. direction
Pay close attention to the prepositions: 'im Westen' (in the west) describes a static position, while 'nach Westen' (to the west/westward) indicates a direction of movement.
EXAMPLE
Frankfurt am Main liegt im Westen von Deutschland.
Frankfurt am Main is located in the west of Germany.
Context clues
The context reveals the meaning. If it is about the sun, a compass, or weather, the cardinal direction is meant. A geographical addition like 'Deutschlands' (of Germany) points to a region. Political or historical topics refer to the western industrialized nations.
EXAMPLE
Die Beziehungen zwischen dem Westen und China sind komplex.
Relations between the West and China are complex.
Geographical region
When 'Westen' (west) refers to part of a country or continent, this is often made clear by a genitive or the preposition 'von' (of/from). For example: 'der Westen der USA' (the west of the USA) or 'der Westen von Kanada' (the west of Canada).
EXAMPLE
Der Westen der USA ist für seine Nationalparks berühmt.
The west of the USA is famous for its national parks.
Compare with
Westen vs Osten
east
'der Osten' and 'der Westen' are opposite cardinal directions. 'der Osten' is the direction of the sunrise, while 'der Westen' is the direction of the sunset. Both words can also refer to a part of a country, city, or region. Learners may confuse them because both are used in the same way: for example, you say 'im Osten' (in the east) or 'im Westen' (in the west). As a helpful tip: in the morning, the sun rises in the east; in the evening, it sets in the west.
Westen
Am Abend steht die Sonne tief im Westen.
In the evening, the sun is low in the west.
Osten
Im Osten der Stadt gibt es viele neue Wohnungen.
There are many new apartments in the east of the city.
In real life
Loading video examples...