Where You Live (Leaving Cert German): Revision Notes
Your Home
When learning to talk about where you live in German, it's essential to master vocabulary for different rooms and know how to describe their locations within your house. This topic helps you explain your living situation and describe the layout of your home.
Rooms in your house (die Zimmer)
Understanding the names of different rooms is the foundation for describing your home. German room names follow specific patterns with their articles, and it's helpful to learn them organised by where they're typically located in the house.
Learning Strategy: German nouns always come with articles (der, die, das). Learning room names with their correct articles from the beginning will save you from making mistakes later when forming sentences.
Ground floor rooms (im Erdgeschoss)
The ground floor typically contains the main living areas where families spend most of their time together.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| die Küche | the kitchen |
| das Wohnzimmer | the living room |
| das Esszimmer | the dining room |
| die Waschküche | the utility room/laundry room |
Example sentences:
- Im Erdgeschoss gibt es eine große Küche. (On the ground floor there is a large kitchen.)
- Unser Wohnzimmer ist sehr gemütlich. (Our living room is very cosy.)
- Wir essen immer im Esszimmer. (We always eat in the dining room.)
First floor rooms (im ersten Stock)
The first floor usually houses the private areas like bedrooms and bathrooms.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| das Badezimmer | the bathroom |
| mein Schlafzimmer | my bedroom |
| das Zimmer von meinen Eltern | my parents' bedroom |
| das Gästezimmer | the guest room |
Example sentences:
- Im ersten Stock ist mein Schlafzimmer. (On the first floor is my bedroom.)
- Das Badezimmer hat eine neue Dusche. (The bathroom has a new shower.)
- Meine Eltern schlafen im großen Schlafzimmer. (My parents sleep in the large bedroom.)
Top floor and outside areas
Many German homes make use of attic spaces and have outdoor areas that are important parts of the living environment.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| ein Schlafzimmer | a bedroom |
| eine Dusche | a shower |
| der Garten | the garden |
| die Terrasse | the terrace |
| die Garage | the garage |
| der Keller | the cellar |
| das Arbeitszimmer | the study |
Example sentences:
- Im Dach ist noch ein Schlafzimmer. (In the attic there is another bedroom.)
- Draußen haben wir einen schönen Garten. (Outside we have a beautiful garden.)
- Im Keller ist das Arbeitszimmer von meinem Vater. (In the cellar is my father's study.)
Describing locations in your home
To describe where rooms are located, German uses specific phrases that indicate different levels of the house. These expressions are essential for giving clear descriptions of your home's layout.
Location phrases
| German phrase | English meaning |
|---|---|
| im Erdgeschoss gibt es... | on the ground floor there is... |
| im ersten Stock ist... | on the first floor is... |
| im Dach ist... | on the top floor (literally: in the roof) is... |
| draußen ist... | outside is... |
| im Keller ist... | in the cellar is... |
Pronunciation tip: The "ch" sound in "Erdgeschoss" and "Dach" is pronounced like the "ch" in the Scottish word "loch".
Worked Example: Building Location Sentences
Step 1: Choose your location phrase Im ersten Stock...
Step 2: Add the appropriate verb Im ersten Stock ist...
Step 3: Complete with the room and description Im ersten Stock ist mein Schlafzimmer.
Example dialogue
Here's a typical conversation about describing your home:
Dialogue Practice: Describing Your Home
A: Wie ist dein Haus? (What's your house like?) B: Es ist ziemlich groß. Im Erdgeschoss gibt es die Küche und das Wohnzimmer. (It's quite big. On the ground floor there is the kitchen and living room.)
A: Und wo ist dein Zimmer? (And where is your room?) B: Mein Schlafzimmer ist im ersten Stock, neben dem Badezimmer. (My bedroom is on the first floor, next to the bathroom.)
A: Habt ihr auch einen Garten? (Do you also have a garden?) B: Ja, draußen haben wir einen kleinen Garten mit einer Terrasse. (Yes, outside we have a small garden with a terrace.)
Cultural insight: allotment gardens (Schrebergärten)
Cultural Context: Schrebergärten
In German-speaking countries, allotment gardens called Schrebergärten play an important cultural role. These small plots of land allow people, especially those living in apartments, to grow their own vegetables and have outdoor space. Originally created in the 19th century to help poor families grow food, these gardens remain extremely popular today. Many people build small sheds or summer houses on their plots, creating peaceful retreats for relaxation and socialising with family and friends.
Common mistakes and tips
Mistake 1: Forgetting the correct articles
- ❌ Der Küche ist groß.
- ✅ Die Küche ist groß.
Remember that "Küche" is feminine, so it takes "die".
Mistake 2: Mixing up floor terminology
- ❌ Im erste Stock...
- ✅ Im ersten Stock...
"Ersten" needs the correct adjective ending after "im".
Mistake 3: Word order with location phrases
- ❌ Gibt es im Erdgeschoss die Küche.
- ✅ Im Erdgeschoss gibt es die Küche.
The location phrase typically comes first, followed by the verb.
Top tip: Learn room vocabulary with their articles from the beginning - this will help you use them correctly in sentences later.
Key Points to Remember:
- Learn room names with their correct articles (der, die, das) to avoid mistakes later
- Use im Erdgeschoss gibt es... for ground floor and im ersten Stock ist... for first floor descriptions
- Draußen means "outside" and is useful for describing gardens, terraces, and garages
- German homes often have cellars (der Keller) which serve various purposes like storage or additional rooms
- Allotment gardens (Schrebergärten) are an important part of German culture, especially for apartment dwellers