das  Parterre

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/paʁˈtɛʁ/

🏠 What does 'das Parterre' mean?

The word Parterre [paʁˈtɛʁ] comes from French ("par terre" = on the ground) and primarily refers to three things in German:

• The ground floor of a building: The level situated at ground level. It's a synonym for Erdgeschoss.
  Example: "Die Wohnung liegt im Parterre." (The apartment is on the ground floor.)
• The seating area on the ground floor of a theatre or cinema: Often also called Parkett (orchestra stalls or stalls). These seats are usually level or only slightly raked.
  Example: "Wir haben Karten fürs Parterre bekommen." (We got tickets for the stalls/parterre.)
• An ornamental flowerbed in a garden: Especially an elaborately designed, often symmetrical flowerbed found in Baroque gardens.
  Example: "Das Parterre im Schlosspark ist wunderschön." (The parterre in the palace park is beautiful.)

⚠️ Attention: Although it originates from French, in German it is used as a neuter noun ("das Parterre").

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of das Parterre in Detail

The noun "Parterre" is neuter (sächlich). It is generally used only in the singular, especially when referring to the ground floor. The plural form ("die Parterres") is rare and mainly used for garden parterres or sometimes colloquially for theatre sections.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural - Rare

📝 Example Sentences

• Meine Großmutter wohnt im Parterre, weil sie keine Treppen steigen kann. (My grandmother lives on the ground floor because she cannot climb stairs.)
• Die Sicht von unserem Platz im Parterre war ausgezeichnet. (The view from our seat in the stalls/parterre was excellent.)
• Der Gärtner pflegt die kunstvollen Blumenbeete im Parterre des Schlosses. (The gardener tends the elaborate flowerbeds in the parterre of the castle.)
• Der Architekt plante für das Erdgeschoss einen offenen Wohnbereich, das sogenannte Parterre. (The architect planned an open living area for the ground floor, the so-called parterre.)

💡 How is 'das Parterre' used?

"Das Parterre" is used in specific contexts:

• Real Estate/Housing: Here, it's a synonym for Erdgeschoss (ground floor). It often sounds slightly more sophisticated or traditional than "Erdgeschoss". You might find it in apartment listings or descriptions of older buildings.
  Comparison: "Erdgeschoss" is the more general and common term.
• Theatre/Cinema: Refers to the lower seating area, often synonymous with Parkett (orchestra stalls). Depending on the theatre, "Parterre" might sometimes be perceived as slightly less exclusive than "Parkett".
  Comparison: "Parkett" is often more common in the theatre context.
• Garden Architecture: Describes a low, often formally designed bed, typically in historical gardens or parks.
  Context: Almost exclusively used in relation to garden design.

Generally, "Parterre" is a word with a slightly formal or traditional feel. In everyday language for the lowest floor of a house, "Erdgeschoss" is usually preferred.

🧠 Mnemonics for das Parterre

For the article 'das': Imagine das Auto (the car, which is neuter) PARking TERribly close to the ground - right on das Parterre (the ground floor). Neutral things often use "das".

For the meanings: Think "PARk on TERrain": You park your car on the lowest terrain, the ground floor (Parterre). In the theatre, you park yourself in the stalls (Parterre). In the garden, flowers are parked in the garden bed (Parterre).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Paterre: Incorrect spelling.
• Partie: Has many meanings (game section, outing, body part), but nothing to do with floors.

😂 A Little Joke

Tenant asks the landlord: "Ist die Wohnung im Parterre wirklich ruhig?"

Landlord: "Absolut! Sie hören nur die Leute über Ihnen, wenn sie auf Socken durchs Wohnzimmer schleichen... oder Elefanten züchten."

Translation:

Tenant asks the landlord: "Is the apartment on the ground floor really quiet?"

Landlord: "Absolutely! You only hear the people above you when they tiptoe through the living room in socks... or breed elephants."

📜 Poem about the Parterre

Im alten Haus, ganz unten breit,das Parterre, zur Erd' bereit.

Im Theater sitzt man gern, im Parterre, nicht allzu fern. Die Bühne nah, der Klang so klar, so wird die Vorstellung wunderbar.

Translation:

In the old house, quite wide below,the parterre, ready for earth's show. No climbing stairs, no strain or plight, here one lives level, early bright.

In the theatre, seating's keen, in the parterre, a nearby scene. The stage is close, the sound so clear, the performance becomes wonderful here.

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich bin die Etage ganz am Grund,

Lösung: das Parterre

Translation:

I am the floor right at the ground, In the theatre, I make the round (with seats). In the garden, I lie flat and fine, Often with flowers, as ornament divine. Who or what am I?

Solution: das Parterre

✨ Other Interesting Facts

Origin: As mentioned, "Parterre" comes directly from French: par means "through" or "on", and terre means "earth" or "ground". The literal meaning is thus "on the ground".

Architectural Variations: Sometimes a distinction is made between Tiefparterre (slightly below street level) and Hochparterre (slightly above street level, often above a basement or cellar).