das  Appartement

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/apɑʁtəˈmɑ̃/

🏠 What exactly is an Appartement?

An Appartement (neuter gender, article: das) is a self-contained housing unit, an apartment or flat. It often refers to a smaller unit, one within a complex of similar units, or one used for holidays (Ferienwohnung). It can sometimes imply a slightly more upscale or specific type of flat compared to the general term die Wohnung.

There's only one article for this word: das. No confusion here! ✅

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Das Appartement

The noun „Appartement“ is neuter (sächlich).

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

✨ Example Sentences

1. Wir haben für den Urlaub ein schönes Appartement am Meer gemietet.
   (We rented a nice apartment by the sea for the holiday.)
2. Das Appartement verfügt über eine kleine Küche und ein Bad.
   (The apartment has a small kitchen and a bathroom.)
3. Der Preis des Appartements war sehr günstig.
   (The price of the apartment was very reasonable.)
4. In diesem Gebäude gibt es zwanzig Appartements zu vermieten.
   (There are twenty apartments for rent in this building.)

💡 How to use 'das Appartement' correctly

The term Appartement is often used in specific contexts:

• Holiday rentals: Very common for holiday flats (Ferienwohnungen) or units in holiday resorts. Example: „Wir suchen ein Appartement für zwei Wochen in Italien.“ (We are looking for an apartment for two weeks in Italy.)
• Smaller, often furnished flats: Sometimes used for studio apartments or smaller flats rented out furnished.
• Slightly upscale context: Can sometimes sound a bit more exclusive than the general word die Wohnung.
• Difference from „Wohnung“: Die Wohnung is the more general and common term for any kind of apartment or flat. Das Appartement is more specific, often associated with holidays or smaller, self-contained units.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

For the article (das): Think of other neuter places to live: das Haus (the house), das Zimmer (the room), das Studio (the studio). An Appartement is also such a neutral place → das Appartement.

For the meaning: The word sounds very much like the English 'apartment'. Imagine booking an 'apart' room on holiday – something separate, small, neat → an Appartement.

↔️ Similar and Different: Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Note: A WG-Zimmer (room in a shared flat) is not an Appartement, just a single room within a larger shared living space.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Vermieter den neuen Mieter: „Haben Sie Haustiere?“ Sagt der Mieter: „Nein, keine Sorge, ich habe nur Stubenfliegen in meinem Appartement – die sind ganz ruhig!“

Translation: The landlord asks the new tenant: "Do you have pets?" The tenant says: "No, don't worry, I only have houseflies in my apartment – they are very quiet!"

📜 A Little Poem

Ein kleines Nest, adrett und fein,
das soll mein Appartement nun sein.
Mit Küche, Bad und Bettstatt klein,
ziehe ich bald glücklich ein.
Ob Stadt, ob Land, ob Meeresstrand,
ein Appartement ist schnell zur Hand.

Translation:
A little nest, neat and fine,
that shall now be this apartment of mine.
With kitchen, bath, and small bedstead,
I'll soon move in happily instead.
Whether city, country, or seaside sand,
an apartment is quickly at hand.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin oft klein, doch hab' mein Reich,
mal für den Urlaub, mal für gleich.
Man mietet mich, wohnt Tür an Tür,
Französisch klingt mein Name hier.
Ich bin kein Haus, doch biete Platz.
Wie heiß ich wohl, mein kleiner Schatz?

Translation:
I'm often small, but have my domain,
sometimes for holidays, sometimes for main.
People rent me, live door to door,
My name sounds French, that's for sure.
I'm not a house, but offer space.
What am I called, my little grace?

Answer: das Appartement

🌍 Origin and Other Info

The word Appartement comes from French (appartement), which in turn comes from the Italian word appartamento. It originally meant 'separated room'. In German, it's often abbreviated as 'App.' especially in advertisements (Anzeigen).