das
Polizeirevier
🏢 What exactly is a Polizeirevier?
The German word das Polizeirevier (neuter gender) refers to a local police station or police precinct. It's the place where police officers are based, reports (Anzeigen) are filed, and police administrative tasks are handled.
It's a compound noun made up of:
Because the base word "Revier" is neuter (das Revier), the compound word "Polizeirevier" is also neuter: das Polizeirevier.
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Das Polizeirevier
The noun "Polizeirevier" is neuter (sächlich). Here is its declension:
Singular Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | das | Polizeirevier |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | das | Polizeirevier |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem | Polizeirevier |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des | Polizeireviers |
Plural Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Polizeireviere |
| Accusative | die | Polizeireviere |
| Dative | den | Polizeirevieren |
| Genitive | der | Polizeireviere |
📝 Example Sentences
- Das nächste Polizeirevier ist nur wenige Straßen entfernt.
(The nearest police station is only a few streets away.) - Er musste eine Anzeige auf dem Polizeirevier erstatten.
(He had to file a report at the police station.) - Die Zuständigkeit dieses Polizeireviers erstreckt sich über drei Stadtteile.
(The jurisdiction of this police precinct covers three districts.) - In der Stadt gibt es mehrere Polizeireviere.
(There are several police stations in the city.)
🗣️ How to use "Polizeirevier"?
"Polizeirevier" is used to refer to a specific, local police station. It's a common term in news reports, official communications, and everyday language when talking about the physical location of the police.
- Official Context: Used in official documents or when naming specific stations.
- Everyday Language: Used when giving directions to the police station or reporting an incident that was handled there.
- Distinction: While "Polizeiwache" or "Polizeistation" are often used synonymously, "Revier" can also emphasize the area of jurisdiction (the *Gebiet*) covered by the station. Some regions or federal states (Bundesländer) might use specific terms like "Polizeiinspektion".
⚠️ Be careful not to confuse it with "Jagdrevier" (hunting ground), although both contain the word "Revier".
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic: Remember that a Revier is a type of area or territory (Gebiet). Das Gebiet is neuter, just like das Revier and therefore das Polizeirevier.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine the Polizei (police) having their own Revier (precinct/station) where they work and maintain order.
↔️ Opposites and Alternatives: Das Polizeirevier
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Polizeiwache: Very common synonym (police station).
- Polizeistation: Also a frequently used synonym (police station).
- Polizeiinspektion: Sometimes a more specific designation, depending on the federal state and structure (police inspectorate).
- Wache: Shorter, more colloquial term (station, guardhouse).
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
A direct antonym for "Polizeirevier" doesn't really exist. You could mention contrasting places, such as:
- Verbrecherhöhle / Gaunerzinken (colloquial): A den of thieves / crooks' hideout (very informal).
- Gericht: Court (place of jurisdiction, not initial police reporting/investigation).
Similar but Different Words
- Jagdrevier: A hunting ground.
- Revier (general): Can also refer to an animal's territory or an area of responsibility (e.g., for a sales representative).
😂 A Little Chuckle
Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Waren Sie schon einmal im Polizeirevier?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Nein, Herr Richter, nur im Urlaub am Meer war ich im Revier der Strandpolizei!"
Translation:
The judge asks the defendant: "Have you ever been in a police station (Polizeirevier)?"
The defendant answers: "No, Your Honor, only on vacation by the sea was I in the beach police's precinct (Revier)!"
✍️ Poem about the Word
Im Herzen der Stadt, nicht zu übersehen,
steht das Haus, wo die Uniformierten gehen.
Das Polizeirevier, ein sicherer Ort,
hilft bei Not, bringt Recht und Wort.
Tag und Nacht, bei Sonne und Regen,
dienen sie dem Bürgersegen.
Translation:
In the heart of the city, hard to miss,
stands the house where the uniformed walk.
The police station, a safe place,
helps in need, brings justice and word.
Day and night, in sun and rain,
they serve the citizens' gain.
❓ Do You Know the Answer?
Ich bin ein Haus mit Blaulicht oft davor,
hab Zellen manchmal, öffne stets mein Tor.
Wer Schutz sucht oder etwas anzeigen muss,
findet bei mir meist schnell Anschluss.
Was bin ich?
Translation:
I am a house often with blue lights outside,
I sometimes have cells, always open my gate wide.
Whoever seeks protection or needs to report,
usually finds quick support within my fort.
What am I?
Solution: Das Polizeirevier (The police station)
🧩 Further Details about Polizeirevier
Word Composition
The word "Polizeirevier" is a classic example of a German compound noun (Kompositum):
- Determinant word (Bestimmungswort): Polizei (specifies the type of Revier)
- Base word (Grundwort): Revier (determines the gender of the entire word)
Since "das Revier" is neuter, the compound noun "das Polizeirevier" also becomes neuter.
Function
A Polizeirevier is not just a building, but also an organizational unit within the police structure, responsible for a specific geographical area.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Polizeirevier?
The German word "Polizeirevier" is neuter. The correct article is das Polizeirevier. The plural is "die Polizeireviere".