das  Erdgeschoss

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈeːɐ̯tɡəˌʃɔs/

🚪 What exactly is an Erdgeschoss?

The German word Erdgeschoss (neuter, hence das Erdgeschoss, abbreviated as EG) refers to the floor of a building that is at or slightly above ground level. It's the floor you enter directly from the ground.

It's important to note the difference in floor numbering compared to American English. In Germany (and many European countries), the Erdgeschoss is considered 'level 0'. The floor above it is the erster Stock or erstes Obergeschoss (first floor/upper floor). So, the German Erdgeschoss corresponds to the British English ground floor and often the American English first floor.

The word is neuter, so it always uses the article das.

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Das Erdgeschoss

The noun 'Erdgeschoss' is neuter. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

1. Die Wohnung befindet sich im Erdgeschoss.
   (The apartment is on the ground floor.)
2. Wir suchen ein Haus mit einem großen Garten im Erdgeschoss.
   (We are looking for a house with a large garden on the ground floor.)
3. Der Aufzug hält nicht in allen Erdgeschossen des Gebäudekomplexes.
   (The elevator does not stop on all ground floors of the building complex.)
4. Vom Erdgeschoss aus hat man direkten Zugang zur Terrasse.
   (From the ground floor, you have direct access to the terrace.)

🏢 Everyday Use: When to use Erdgeschoss?

The term Erdgeschoss is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Real Estate & Housing: When describing apartments, houses, or office spaces (e.g., Erdgeschosswohnung - ground floor apartment, Büro im Erdgeschoss - office on the ground floor).
• Addresses & Directions: To indicate the location within a building (e.g., Die Praxis finden Sie im Erdgeschoss rechts. - You'll find the practice on the ground floor on the right.).
• Architecture & Construction: As a technical term for the lowest building level above the basement (if one exists).

Abbreviation: The most common abbreviation is EG.

Difference from Parterre: The word 'Parterre' (also neuter: das Parterre) is often used synonymously with Erdgeschoss, especially in older buildings or for a slightly more formal tone. It comes from French (par terre = on the ground).

⚠️ Floor Counting Caution: Remember that in Germany, the Erdgeschoss is not the first floor in the American sense! The German erster Stock (1. OG) is the floor above the Erdgeschoss.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Remembering the Article: Think of 'das Haus' (the house). A house has floors or levels, called Geschosse. Just like 'das Haus' is neuter, so is das Geschoss, and therefore das Erdgeschoss.

Remembering the Meaning: The word is composed of 'Erde' (earth/ground) and 'Geschoss' (floor/level). It's the floor ('Geschoss') located at the level of the Erde – the ground floor.

🔄 Related Terms: Synonyms & Antonyms

😂 A Little Joke

Warum ziehen Geister so gerne ins Erdgeschoss?

Weil sie dort ebenerdig spuken können!

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Translation:

Why do ghosts love moving into the ground floor?

Because they can haunt at ground level there! ('ebenerdig' means 'at ground level')

📜 A Poem about the Erdgeschoss

Im Haus ganz unten, nah der Erd',
Liegt das Geschoss, das jeder kennt und ehrt.
Kein Treppensteigen, leicht herein,
Das Erdgeschoss, so soll es sein.
Mit Garten, Hof, oft gleich zur Hand,
Das ist das Leben, nah am Land (der Straße zumindest).

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Translation:

In the house down low, near the earth so grand,
Lies the floor that everyone knows in the land.
No climbing stairs, easy to get inside,
The Erdgeschoss, where folks reside.
With garden, yard, often close at hand,
That's life, close to the land (or street, at least).

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich liege im Haus ganz nah der Straße,
Bin weder Keller noch hohe Blase.
Man tritt oft direkt durch meine Tür ein,
Welches Stockwerk mag ich nur sein?

Lösung: Das Erdgeschoss

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Translation:

I'm in the house, quite close to the street,
Neither basement nor high-up retreat.
Often you enter directly through my door,
What floor could I be, tell me more?

Answer: The Erdgeschoss (Ground Floor)

🧩 Trivia and Details

Word Composition:

The word 'Erdgeschoss' is a compound noun, formed from:

• Erde (die): Meaning 'earth' or 'ground', referring to the ground level.
• Geschoss (das): Meaning 'floor', 'storey', or 'level' of a building.

International Differences:

As mentioned earlier, the floor numbering system is crucial. What is the Erdgeschoss in German is often called the first floor in American English. Consequently, the German erstes Obergeschoss (1. OG) corresponds to the American second floor. British English aligns more closely, where the ground floor corresponds to the German Erdgeschoss.