das  Hallenbad

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈhalənˌbaːt/

🏊‍♀️ What exactly is a Hallenbad?

Das Hallenbad refers to a public swimming pool located inside a closed building. In contrast to a Freibad (outdoor pool), it is covered and can therefore be used all year round and regardless of the weather. It serves for recreation, sports (Schwimmen, Wassergymnastik - swimming, water aerobics), and often for swimming lessons (Schwimmunterricht).

There is only one article for this word: das. It is a neuter noun.

📊 Grammar: Declension of 'das Hallenbad'

"Hallenbad" is a neuter noun (sächliches Substantiv). Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

• Im Winter gehe ich gerne ins Hallenbad. (In winter, I like going to the indoor swimming pool. - Accusative: in + das = ins)
• Die Öffnungszeiten des Hallenbades sind online zu finden. (The opening hours of the indoor swimming pool can be found online. - Genitive)
• Mit meiner Freundin treffe ich mich oft im Hallenbad. (I often meet my friend at the indoor swimming pool. - Dative: in + dem = im)
• Die Stadt plant den Bau neuer Hallenbäder. (The city is planning to build new indoor swimming pools. - Accusative Plural)

💡 When to use 'das Hallenbad'

Das Hallenbad is used whenever you are talking about a covered, public swimming pool. It's the standard term in German-speaking countries.

• Context: Leisure activities, sports, swimming lessons, family outings, especially during colder months or bad weather.
• Contrast: The direct opposite is das Freibad (outdoor pool, usually only open in summer). A Badeanstalt is a more general, somewhat older term. Die Therme often refers to a bath with thermal water, focusing on wellness.
• Usage: You gehen ins Hallenbad (go to the indoor pool), schwimmen im Hallenbad (swim in the indoor pool), besuchen das Hallenbad (visit the indoor pool).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Think of das Gebäude (the building) and das Bad (the bath). While not all neuter nouns end in -d, das Bad is a key component, and a Hallenbad is a type of Bad inside a building. So, das Hallenbad.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine taking a Bad (bath/swim) inside a large Halle (hall/large building). That's exactly what a Hallenbad is – an indoor pool!

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Bademeister: "Warum schwimmen Sie denn mit einem Helm?" Sagt der Schwimmer: "Damit ich keinen Köpfer ins flache Wasser mache!"

English: The lifeguard asks: "Why are you swimming with a helmet?" The swimmer says: "So I don't dive headfirst into the shallow water!"

📜 Poem about the Hallenbad

German:
Draußen ist es kalt und grau,
doch ich weiß es ganz genau:
Im Hallenbad, da ist es warm,
da schwimm' ich Bahn um Bahn, ganz arm?
Nein, ganz froh und unbeschwert,
das Wasser mich das Schwimmen lehrt.
Das Echo klingt, das Wasser spritzt,
bis man müde auf der Bank sitzt.

English Translation:
Outside it's cold and gray,
but I know it right away:
In the indoor pool, it's warm there,
I swim lap after lap, in despair?
No, quite happy and lighthearted,
the water teaches me swimming, started.
The echo sounds, the water splashes bright,
until tired, you sit on the bench in sight.

❓ Little Riddle

German:
Ich habe Becken, groß und klein,
lade dich zum Planschen ein.
Mein Dach schützt dich vor Regen, Wind und Schnee,
drum komm herbei, es tut nicht weh!

Was bin ich?
...
Das Hallenbad

English Translation:
I have pools, big and small,
invite you to splash and call.
My roof protects you from rain, wind, and snow,
so come on over, don't you know!

What am I?
...
The indoor swimming pool (das Hallenbad)

🤓 Other Information

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):

• Halle: Refers to the building, the covered space (hall).
• Bad: Refers to the activity of bathing or swimming, or the facility for it (bath, pool).

Trivia: Many Hallenbäder in Germany offer additional facilities besides the swimming pool, such as saunas (Saunen), slides (Rutschen), or children's pools (Kinderbecken).