das  Hochhaus

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈhoːxˌhaʊs/

🏙️ What does "das Hochhaus" mean?

The German noun Hochhaus (neuter gender, article 'das') refers to a very tall building with many floors. It's typically found in urban areas and often serves as a residential or office building. In English, it translates to high-rise building or sometimes skyscraper.

Unlike a normal apartment building (Mehrfamilienhaus), a Hochhaus significantly towers over the surrounding structures. The exact definition of the height at which a building qualifies as a Hochhaus can vary according to building codes (Bauordnung), but it's often above 22 meters (around 72 feet) measured to the floor level of the highest habitable room.

There is only one article, das, for Hochhaus.

📚 Grammar of "das Hochhaus"

"Hochhaus" is a neuter noun. Here is its declension (Deklination):

Example Sentences

• In Frankfurt stehen viele beeindruckende Hochhäuser.
  (There are many impressive high-rise buildings in Frankfurt.)
• Vom Hochhaus hat man eine tolle Aussicht über die Stadt.
  (From the high-rise building, you have a great view over the city.)
• Der Bau eines neuen Hochhauses wurde genehmigt.
  (The construction of a new high-rise building was approved.)
• Die Fenster des Hochhauses spiegeln die Sonne.
  (The windows of the high-rise building reflect the sun.)

💡 How to use "Hochhaus"?

"Hochhaus" is used to describe tall, multi-story buildings that stand out significantly from their surroundings.

• Context: Mostly used when talking about cities, architecture, urban planning, and living/working spaces.
• Distinction: A Wolkenkratzer is a step up from a Hochhaus – an exceptionally tall, often prestigious high-rise. Not every Hochhaus is a Wolkenkratzer, but every Wolkenkratzer is a type of Hochhaus. A Wohnblock (apartment block) can be tall, but refers more to a specific building type with many apartments, not necessarily a high-rise in the technical sense. A Turm (tower, e.g., TV tower) is tall but usually not primarily designed as residential or office space.
• Typical Collocations: im Hochhaus wohnen (to live in a high-rise), ein Hochhaus bauen (to build a high-rise), die Skyline der Hochhäuser (the skyline of high-rises).

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Hochhaus"

Remembering the Article ('das'): Think of das Haus (the house). Many compound German nouns ending in "-haus" are neuter, and das Hochhaus follows this pattern (like das Rathaus - city hall, das Krankenhaus - hospital).

Remembering the Meaning: This one's easy! "Hoch" means "high" or "tall", and "Haus" means "house". So, a Hochhaus is literally a "high house" or tall building.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Note: A Plattenbau (panel building/prefabricated building) can be tall (and thus a type of Hochhaus), but primarily refers to a specific construction method using prefabricated concrete slabs and often carries negative connotations.

😂 A little Joke

Was sagt ein Hochhaus zum anderen?

„Triff mich unten im Erdgeschoss, ich muss dir was erzählen!“

(What does one high-rise building say to the other?
"Meet me downstairs on the ground floor, I need to tell you something!")

📜 Poem about a High-Rise

Hoch hinaus, Stockwerk für Stockwerk,
Fenster glänzen, Stahl und Werk.
Die Stadt zu Füßen, klein und grau,
das ist das Hochhaus, schau, schau, schau.
Ob Wohnraum knapp, ob Büro modern,
es reckt sich himmelwärts so gern.

(High up, floor by floor,
Windows gleam, steel and work galore.
The city at its feet, small and gray,
that is the high-rise, look, look, look away.
Whether housing's tight, or office sleek,
it gladly stretches towards heaven's peak.)

❓ Riddle

Ich rage hoch zum Himmelszelt,
hab Fenster viel, bin nicht aus Zelt.
In Städten steh ich, groß und breit.
Wer bin ich wohl zu jeder Zeit?

(I reach high towards the canopy of heaven,
Have many windows, I'm not made of woven leaven [tent].
In cities I stand, large and wide.
Who am I, then, at any tide?)

Answer: Das Hochhaus (The high-rise building)

🧩 Additional Info

Word Composition: The word "Hochhaus" is a compound noun (Kompositum), composed of:

• hoch (adjective): meaning 'high' or 'tall'
• Haus (noun): meaning 'house' or 'building'

Trivia: The first building often considered a high-rise or skyscraper was built in Chicago in the late 19th century. In Germany, Frankfurt am Main has the most high-rises, which is why the city is sometimes nicknamed "Mainhattan" (a portmanteau of the river Main and Manhattan).