der
Außenbereich
🌳 What does "der Außenbereich" mean?
Der Außenbereich refers to the area outside a building or a defined space. It's the part that is in the open air or at least not part of the main interior.
It is a masculine noun, so it's always der Außenbereich.
- Context 1: In construction and urban planning (Bauwesen und Stadtplanung), der Außenbereich often refers to areas outside developed settlements (according to § 35 BauGB - German Federal Building Code), where building is only permitted under specific conditions.
- Context 2: In general usage (allgemeiner Sprachgebrauch), it means the outer part of a property (Grundstück), an apartment (balcony - Balkon, terrace - Terrasse), a restaurant (outdoor seating - Außengastronomie), or a facility.
⚠️ There are no different meanings depending on the article, as only "der" is correct.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ich → mostly masculine.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Außenbereich
"Außenbereich" is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der Außenbereich | ein Außenbereich |
| Genitive | des Außenbereichs / Außenbereiches | eines Außenbereichs / Außenbereiches |
| Dative | dem Außenbereich / Außenbereiche | einem Außenbereich / Außenbereiche |
| Accusative | den Außenbereich | einen Außenbereich |
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Außenbereiche | Außenbereiche |
| Genitive | der Außenbereiche | Außenbereiche |
| Dative | den Außenbereichen | Außenbereichen |
| Accusative | die Außenbereiche | Außenbereiche |
💬 Example Sentences
- Der Außenbereich des Restaurants ist bei gutem Wetter sehr beliebt.
(The restaurant's outdoor area is very popular in good weather.) - Wir müssen den Außenbereich des Gartens noch gestalten.
(We still need to design the outdoor area of the garden.) - Bauen im Außenbereich ist streng reglementiert.
(Building in the non-developed exterior area is strictly regulated.) - Die Kinder spielen gerne im Außenbereich der Kita.
(The children enjoy playing in the outdoor area of the daycare center.)
💡 How "Außenbereich" is Used
The term "Außenbereich" is used in various contexts:
- Gastronomie (Restaurants/Cafés): Refers to the tables and seating outdoors (Terrasse, Biergarten). Example: "Haben Sie auch einen Platz im Außenbereich frei?" (Do you have a free table in the outdoor area?)
- Immobilien & Wohnen (Real Estate & Living): Describes the outdoor area belonging to a house or apartment (Garten, Balkon, Terrasse). Example: "Die Wohnung verfügt über einen großzügigen Außenbereich." (The apartment has a spacious outdoor area.)
- Bau- und Planungsrecht (Building and Planning Law): A specific legal term for areas outside contiguous built-up areas. Example: "Für Bauvorhaben im Außenbereich gelten besondere Regeln." (Special rules apply to building projects in the exterior zone.)
- Öffentliche Einrichtungen (Public Facilities): The open-air area of schools, kindergartens, swimming pools, etc. Example: "Der Außenbereich des Schwimmbads wird gerade saniert." (The outdoor area of the swimming pool is currently being renovated.)
Distinction: The clear opposite is the Innenbereich (interior area). While draußen (outside) or im Freien (in the open air) can often be used synonymously, Außenbereich emphasizes a specific, defined area that belongs to something (a house, restaurant, etc.).
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Think of the Daredevil who loves doing stunts outside (außen) in a specific area (Bereich). Daredevil sounds a bit like 'der'. So, it's der Außenbereich.
Meaning Mnemonic: Außen sounds like 'outside'. Bereich sounds like 'reach'. The area you can 'reach' when you are 'outside' the main building is the Außenbereich.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms of Außenbereich
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Außenanlage: Often used for designed areas like parks or gardens.
- Freigelände / Freifläche: Emphasizes the open, undeveloped character.
- Außengelände: Similar to Freigelände, often used for institutions or companies.
- Draußen: More general, colloquial term for 'outside'.
- (In gastronomy context): Terrasse (terrace), Biergarten (beer garden), Freisitz (outdoor seating)
🚨 Caution: Words like Umland (surrounding area) or Peripherie (periphery) also describe outer areas, but usually in a larger geographical context (e.g., of a city), not directly adjacent to a building.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Architekt seinen Stuhl in den Außenbereich gestellt?
Damit er mal über den Tellerrand hinaus bauen kann! 😄
(Why did the architect put his chair in the outdoor area?
So he could build outside the box! (Literally: 'build beyond the edge of the plate'))
📜 A Little Poem
Der Wind weht sanft, die Sonne lacht,
im Außenbereich, schön gemacht.
Stühle, Tische, Blumen bunt,
hier verbringt manch frohe Stund'.
Ob Garten, Hof, ob am Café,
draußen sitzen tut nicht weh!
(The wind blows gently, the sun laughs,
in the outdoor area, nicely done.
Chairs, tables, colourful flowers,
here one spends many happy hours.
Whether garden, yard, or at the café,
sitting outside doesn't hurt!)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich lieg' vor der Tür, doch bin kein Teppich.
Ich hab' kein Dach, bin trotzdem stattlich.
Im Sommer bin ich heiß begehrt,
von Bauherrn manchmal schwer erklärt.
Was bin ich?
(I lie before the door, but am not a carpet.
I have no roof, yet I am stately.
In summer, I am highly sought after,
By builders, sometimes hard to explain.
What am I?)
Solution: Der Außenbereich (The outdoor area / exterior zone)
🧩 Word Building Blocks & More
The word "Außenbereich" is a compound noun, composed of:
- Außen: Adverb/preposition indicating a position outside of something.
- Bereich: Noun meaning a defined area, zone, or region.
Together, they logically mean: an area that is outside.
Interesting Fact: The term has a very specific and important meaning in German building law (§ 35 Baugesetzbuch - BauGB), which goes beyond everyday use and defines where and under what circumstances construction is permitted outside of established settlements.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Außenbereich?
The word "Außenbereich" is always masculine. The correct article is der. It refers to the area outside a building or defined space, such as a garden, terrace, or, in building law, areas outside built-up settlements.