das  Wohngebiet

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈvoːnɡəˌbiːt/

🏘️ What Exactly is a Wohngebiet?

Das Wohngebiet (noun, neuter) refers to an area, usually within a city or municipality, that is predominantly or exclusively used for housing. It's defined by zoning plans (Bebauungspläne) and differs from industrial areas (Industriegebiete), commercial areas (Gewerbegebiete), or mixed-use areas (Mischgebiete).

Typical characteristics of a Wohngebiet include:

• Residential buildings (Wohngebäude: single-family houses, apartment buildings, housing blocks)
• A small proportion of commercial facilities (gewerbliche Einrichtungen), often just small shops for daily needs
• Traffic-calmed zones (verkehrsberuhigte Zonen) or streets with speed limits
• Green spaces (Grünflächen), playgrounds (Spielplätze), or parks

There is only one meaning for das Wohngebiet, so the assignment to the article 'das' is clear. 🚨 Don't confuse it with die Gegend (the area/region, more general) or der Stadtteil (the district, which can contain more than just residential areas).

📝 Grammar of 'das Wohngebiet' in Detail

The word "Wohngebiet" is a neuter noun. The article is das.

💡 Example Sentences

1. Wir suchen eine Wohnung in einem ruhigen Wohngebiet.
   We are looking for an apartment in a quiet residential area.
2. Die Stadt plant die Erschließung neuer Wohngebiete am Stadtrand.
   The city is planning the development of new residential areas on the outskirts.
3. In diesem Wohngebiet gibt es viele Grünflächen.
   There are many green spaces in this residential area.
4. Der Lärm aus dem Gewerbegebiet stört die Anwohner des Wohngebietes.
   The noise from the commercial area disturbs the residents of the residential area.
5. Die Mieten sind in zentralen Wohngebieten oft sehr hoch.
   Rents are often very high in central residential areas.

🗣️ How 'Wohngebiet' is Used

The term das Wohngebiet is primarily used in contexts related to urban planning (Stadtplanung), real estate (Immobilien), daily life, and describing places.

• Urban Planning & Administration: When designating land for construction (e.g., "reines Wohngebiet" - purely residential area, "allgemeines Wohngebiet" - general residential area).
• Real Estate Market: To describe the location of houses or apartments ("liegt in einem bevorzugten Wohngebiet" - is located in a preferred residential area).
• Everyday Language: To characterize a district or neighborhood ("ein kinderfreundliches Wohngebiet" - a child-friendly residential area).
• Differentiation: In contrast to Gewerbegebiet (commercial area), Industriegebiet (industrial area), or Mischgebiet (mixed-use area), where other uses (work, production) are predominant.

Compared to synonyms:

• Wohnviertel (das): Similar, often understood as a smaller part of a larger district and feels less 'planned' than a Wohngebiet.
• Siedlung (die): Can be a Wohngebiet, but often more specific for a group of houses built together (e.g., a miners' settlement - Bergarbeitersiedlung).
• Wohngegend (die): More colloquial and less specific than Wohngebiet.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Wohngebiet'

Mnemonic for the article 'das':

Think of other German words ending in '-gebiet', like das Skigebiet (ski area) or das Hoheitsgebiet (territory). They are often neuter ('das'). An area (Gebiet) for living (Wohnen)? It stays neuter: das Wohngebiet.

Mnemonic for the meaning:

Break it down: Wohnen means 'to live' or 'reside'. Gebiet means 'area' or 'district'. Put them together: Wohn + Gebiet = an area for living = residential area.

↔️ Opposites and Similarities: Wohngebiet

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Wohnbereich (der): Usually refers to the living area within a house or apartment (like the living room), not a whole urban area.
• Gebiet (das): General term for area, region, territory; not specific to housing.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum ziehen Schnecken so gerne in Neubau-Wohngebiete?

Weil sie dort endlich ihr eigenes Haus auf dem Rücken tragen können, ohne aufzufallen! 🐌🏠

(Why do snails love moving into new residential areas? Because they can finally carry their own house on their back without standing out!)

📜 Poem about a Wohngebiet

Das Wohngebiet, still und breit, (The residential area, quiet and wide,)
Häuser stehen Seit' an Seit'. (Houses stand side by side.)
Kinderlachen, Gartenzwerg, (Children's laughter, garden gnome,)
Ruhe hier, kein lautes Werk. (Quiet here, no loud work.)

Straßen schmal, Laternenlicht, (Streets narrow, lantern light,)
Autos fahren hier mit Bedacht. (Cars drive carefully here.)
Ein Platz zum Leben, Tag für Tag, (A place to live, day by day,)
Wo man gerne wohnen mag. (Where one likes to reside.)

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Ort, geplant und rein, (I am a place, planned and pure,)
wo Menschen schlafen, leben fein. (where people sleep, live nicely.)
Kein Lärm von Fabrik weit und breit, (No factory noise far and wide,)
nur Häuser für die Wohnlichkeit. (only houses for domesticity.)
Mit 'das' steh ich im Duden klar, (With 'das' I stand clearly in the dictionary,)
was bin ich denn, ist dir das klar? (what am I then, is that clear to you?)

Solution: Das Wohngebiet (The residential area)

🧩 Other Interesting Details

Word Composition:

Das Wohngebiet is a compound noun (Kompositum):

• Wohn(en): The stem of the verb "wohnen" (to live, reside).
• Gebiet: The noun "das Gebiet" (area, district, territory).

Together, the meaning is: An area for living.

Term in Planning Law:

In Germany, the Land Use Ordinance (Baunutzungsverordnung - BauNVO) distinguishes different types of residential areas, e.g.:

• Reines Wohngebiet (WR): Purely residential area - Exclusively for housing; very limited other uses permitted.
• Allgemeines Wohngebiet (WA): General residential area - Primarily for housing; shops, social facilities, non-disruptive businesses are permissible.
• Besonderes Wohngebiet (WB): Special residential area - Primarily for housing, but also allows offices, shops, and other uses that do not significantly disturb residents.