das  Einzelzimmer

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaɪntsəlˌtsɪmɐ/

🛌 What exactly is an Einzelzimmer?

An Einzelzimmer (article: das) refers to a room intended for occupancy by a single person, especially in a hotel, guesthouse, hospital, or sometimes a shared apartment (Wohngemeinschaft). It typically contains one single bed.

It is a compound noun formed from:

• einzeln (adjective): single, individual
• das Zimmer (noun, neuter): room

Since the base word "Zimmer" is neuter (sächlich), "Einzelzimmer" is also neuter: das Einzelzimmer.

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: das Einzelzimmer

The word "Einzelzimmer" is a noun of neuter gender (Neutrum). The article is "das". Here is its declension (Deklination):

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

💡 Example Sentences

1. Ich habe ein Einzelzimmer für eine Nacht gebucht.
   (I booked a single room for one night.)
2. Der Preis des Einzelzimmers war überraschend günstig.
   (The price of the single room was surprisingly low.)
3. Können Sie mir bitte das Einzelzimmer zeigen?
   (Can you please show me the single room?)
4. In dem Einzelzimmer gab es leider keinen Schreibtisch.
   (Unfortunately, there was no desk in the single room.)
5. Alle Einzelzimmer in diesem Hotel haben Meerblick.
   (All single rooms in this hotel have a sea view.)

🏨 When and where to use "Einzelzimmer"?

The term "Einzelzimmer" is primarily used in the context of accommodation establishments:

• Hotels & Guesthouses (Pensionen): This is the most common use case. You book an Einzelzimmer when traveling alone.
• Hospitals & Clinics (Krankenhäuser & Kliniken): Here, it refers to a patient room for one person, often available as an optional service at an additional cost.
• Youth Hostels (Jugendherbergen) & Hostels: Sometimes single rooms are offered here as an alternative to shared dormitories (Mehrbettzimmer or Schlafsäle).
• Shared Apartments (Wohngemeinschaften - rare): Occasionally, a room for just one person might be called this to distinguish it from rooms for couples, but simply "Zimmer" is more common.

Differentiation:

• Doppelzimmer (das): Room for two people, usually with one double bed or two single beds.
• Mehrbettzimmer (das): Room for more than two people, typical for hostels or family rooms.

The abbreviation for Einzelzimmer in booking systems is often EZ.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic (das): The base word is "das Zimmer" (the room). No matter what comes before it (Einzel-, Doppel-, Kinder-), it stays das Zimmer. Imagine: Das (This) is my room, entirely single (einzeln) for me alone!

Meaning Mnemonic: The word's structure is quite logical: Einzel (single) + Zimmer (room) = a room for a single person.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Note: Just "Zimmer" alone can mean any type of room (living room, bedroom, office). "Einzelzimmer" specifies its use as accommodation for one person.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Hotelgast an der Rezeption: "Ist Ihr Einzelzimmer wirklich schalldicht?"
Darauf der Rezeptionist: "Absolut! Sie werden die Party im Nebenzimmer nicht mal bemerken – außer Sie sind eingeladen!" 🎉

Translation:
A hotel guest asks at the reception: "Is your single room really soundproof?"
The receptionist replies: "Absolutely! You won't even notice the party in the next room – unless you're invited!" 🎉

✍️ A Little Poem

Im Hotel, ganz für mich allein,
buch' ich das Einzelzimmer fein.
Ein Bett, ein Tisch, die Tür geht zu,
hier find' ich meine Nachtesruh'.
Kein Schnarchen, Plaudern nebenan,
nur Stille, die ich genießen kann.

Translation:
In the hotel, just for myself alone,
I book the nice single room, my own.
A bed, a table, the door closes tight,
Here I find my rest at night.
No snoring, chatting next door's bane,
Just silence, which I can enjoy again.

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich biete Platz für nur Person Nummer Eins,
Im Hotel bin ich oft ein Beweis,
dass jemand reist ganz unbegleitet und froh.
Wie nennt man mich denn sowieso?

Translation:
I offer space for only person number one,
In a hotel, I'm often proof begun,
that someone travels unaccompanied and glad.
What am I called, it's not so bad?

→ Das Einzelzimmer (The single room)

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition

The word "Einzelzimmer" is a type of compound noun called a Determinativkompositum in German. This means the first part (Einzel-) specifies or determines the second part (-zimmer).

• Determinant (Determinans): Einzel (from the adjective 'einzeln' meaning 'single')
• Base Word (Grundwort): Zimmer (the noun 'das Zimmer' meaning 'room')

The gender of the compound noun is always determined by the base word, hence "das Zimmer" → "das Einzelzimmer".

Common Abbreviation

In the tourism industry and on booking websites, the abbreviation EZ is commonly used for Einzelzimmer.