das  Revier

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʁeˈviːɐ̯/

🗺️ What exactly is 'das Revier'?

The German word das Revier (neuter gender) has several meanings, mostly referring to a defined area:

• Animal territory: The area claimed by an animal or group of animals as their living space, often defended against conspecifics. Example: Der Löwe markiert sein Revier (The lion marks its territory).
• District / Area of responsibility (Police, Foresters, etc.): A specific district or section for which a person or authority is responsible. Most common examples are Polizeirevier (police station/precinct) or Jagdrevier (hunting ground).
• Mining area: An area where mining is conducted (e.g., the Ruhr area known as "das Revier").
• Colloquially: An area where someone operates or has expertise; their "turf" or "domain". Example: Die Küche ist ihr Revier (The kitchen is her domain).

🚨 The only article for "Revier" is das.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Das Revier

The noun "Revier" is neuter. Here are the declension tables:

💬 Example Sentences

1. Der Förster kennt sein Revier sehr gut. (The forester knows his territory very well.)
2. Die Grenzen des Reviers sind klar markiert. (The borders of the territory are clearly marked.)
3. Die Polizei hat mehrere Reviere in der Stadt. (The police have several precincts in the city.)
4. In diesen Revieren leben seltene Vogelarten. (Rare bird species live in these territories.)

💡 How 'das Revier' is Used

The term "Revier" is used specifically depending on the context:

• In the animal kingdom: When talking about animals, "Revier" refers to the territory that is defended (Revierkampf - territorial fight, Reviergrenzen - territorial boundaries).
• With authorities: A Polizeirevier is a local police station or precinct. A Forstrevier or Jagdrevier is the area managed by a forester or hunter.
• In mining: Historically and regionally significant, e.g., Kohlenrevier (coal district).
• Colloquially: Can be used metaphorically for one's own sphere of influence or area of expertise. ("Bleib aus meinem Revier!" - Stay off my turf!, "Das Marketing ist sein Revier." - Marketing is his domain.).

Distinction: While "Gebiet" (area) or "Bereich" (area, zone) are more neutral, "Revier" often implies responsibility, claim, or defense.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Revier'

For the article 'das': Think of das Gebiet (area) or das Territorium (territory). Many neutral German nouns describe places or zones (das Land, das Gebiet). Das Revier is a neutral zone.

For the meaning: Imagine a police officer saying: "Hier ist mein Revier!" (Here is my beat/territory! - sounds like "here" in German). Or picture an animal marking its territory and saying "Mine! Hier!".

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Be careful not to confuse:

Although similar, "Gebiet", "Bereich", and "Bezirk" often have a more neutral or administrative connotation than "Revier", which is more frequently linked to responsibility, defense, or specific use (hunting, police).

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Polizist seinen Kollegen: "Ist das hier dein Revier?"
Sagt der Kollege: "Nein, nur geliehen. Ich bring's nachher zurück zur Wache!"

Translation: One police officer asks his colleague: "Is this your beat/territory?"
The colleague replies: "No, it's just borrowed. I'll return it to the station later!"

📜 A Little Poem

Das Reh im Wald, es kennt sein Stück,
Das Revier, sein trautes Glück.
Der Fuchs schleicht leis durch Busch und Tann,
Bewacht sein Reich, so gut er kann.
Der Wachtmann auf der Straße wacht,
Sein Dienstbezirk bei Tag und Nacht.
Ein jeder hat, ob groß, ob klein,
Sein eig'nes Reich, sein „Hier-bin-ich-heim“.

Translation:
The deer in the woods knows its patch,
The territory, its cherished latch.
The fox creeps quietly through bush and fir,
Guarding its realm, a silent stir.
The watchman keeps watch on the street,
His precinct day and night complete.
Everyone has, whether big or small,
Their own domain, their 'here-I'm-home' call.

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich bin ein Ort, mal wild, mal zahm,
Für Tier und Mensch hab ich 'nen Nam'.
Die Polizei hat mich als Bezirk,
Der Jäger kennt hier jeden Kniff und Trick.
Ich werde oft bewacht, verteidigt, klar,
Mein Artikel ist stets sächlich, wunderbar.

Was bin ich? Lösung: das Revier

Translation:
I am a place, sometimes wild, sometimes tame,
For animal and human, I have a name.
The police have me as their district's site,
The hunter knows every trick here, day and night.
I'm often guarded, defended, it's clear,
My article is always neuter, my dear.

What am I?
Answer: das Revier

✨ Other Interesting Facts

Word Formation & Origin: The word "Revier" comes from Middle Low German / Middle Dutch "rivier(e)", which originally meant "river" or "riverbank". Riverbanks were popular hunting grounds, which led to the meaning shifting to "hunting ground" and later more generally to "district" or "territory".

Compounds: "Revier" is part of many compound nouns that specify the meaning:

• Polizeirevier (police precinct/station)
• Jagdrevier (hunting ground)
• Forstrevier (forestry district)
• Kohlenrevier (coal district)
• Wohnrevier (residential area, rarer)
• Revierförster (district forester)
• Revierleiter (district manager/chief)
• Revierverhalten (territorial behavior - zoology)