der Zwinger
kennel
A usually fenced-in area or small outdoor building in which one or more dogs are kept.
EXAMPLE
Der Wachhund des Hofes lebt in einem großen Zwinger neben der Scheune.
The farm's guard dog lives in a large kennel next to the barn.
der Zwinger
kennel / Zwinger
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Meanings
der Zwinger
Zwinger
The fortified area between the inner and outer wall of a medieval castle complex. Also the name of a famous Baroque building in Dresden.
EXAMPLE
Bei unserem Besuch in Dresden haben wir natürlich auch den Zwinger besichtigt.
During our visit to Dresden, we of course also toured the Zwinger.
Usage tips
Word family
The word 'Zwinger' is related to the verb 'zwingen' (to force). In both meanings, there is the idea of being forced to stay somewhere: the dog is forced to remain in the enclosure, and attackers of a castle were forced into the Zwinger in order to fight them there.
EXAMPLE
Man sollte einen Hund nicht den ganzen Tag im Zwinger lassen.
You shouldn't leave a dog in a kennel all day.
Context clue
The context makes the meaning clear. If it is about dogs or animal keeping, it means an enclosure. If it is about history, architecture, castles, or the city of Dresden, it means the fortification or the famous building.
EXAMPLE
Der Tierschutzverein befreite die Hunde aus den engen Zwingern.
The animal welfare association freed the dogs from the cramped kennels.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'Hundegehege' (dog enclosure), the word is often combined with verbs such as 'halten' (to keep), 'sperren' (to lock up), or 'leben' (to live).
EXAMPLE
Es ist verboten, Hunde dauerhaft im Zwinger zu halten.
It is forbidden to keep dogs permanently in a kennel.
Cultural context
When people talk about the 'Dresdner Zwinger' (Dresden Zwinger) or simply 'dem Zwinger' in the context of a trip, they almost always mean the world-famous Baroque building with its museums in Dresden. It is a proper name for a specific building.
EXAMPLE
Im Zwinger befindet sich die berühmte Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister.
The famous Old Masters Picture Gallery is located in the Zwinger.
Compare with
Zwinger vs Gehege
enclosure
A Gehege and a Zwinger are fenced outdoor areas where animals are kept. Gehege is the general term for different kinds of animals, while Zwinger specifically refers to keeping dogs. For an area for dogs, Zwinger is therefore usually the better choice; for other animals, use Gehege.
Zwinger
Der Hund wartete im Zwinger neben dem Haus.
The dog waited in the kennel next to the house.
Gehege
Die Kinder beobachteten die Rehe im großen Gehege.
The children watched the deer in the large enclosure.
In real life
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