der  Campus

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈkæmpʊs/

🎓 What does "der Campus" mean?

Der Campus refers to the connected grounds of a university, college (Hochschule), or sometimes a large school or company. It typically includes the buildings (lecture halls - Hörsäle, labs - Labore, libraries - Bibliotheken, cafeterias - Mensen, dormitories - Wohnheime) and the associated open spaces (parks - Parks, paths - Wege, squares - Plätze).

The word is a loanword from Latin (campus = field, open space) and was adopted into German via American English. It's almost exclusively used in the singular; the plural die Campus is rare, and people often use alternatives like die Campusanlagen (the campus facilities) or die Universitätsgelände (the university grounds) instead.

🚨 Attention: Although the word ends in "-us", it is masculine (der Campus).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar of "der Campus" in Detail

The noun "der Campus" is masculine. Declension can be a bit tricky, especially in the genitive singular.

Declension Singular

Note: The genitive singular is usually des Campus; the form des Campusses is less common.

Declension Plural

The plural "die Campus" is very rare. Circumlocutions are often preferred.

📝 Example Sentences

• Der neue Campus der Universität liegt am Stadtrand. (The university's new campus is on the outskirts of the city.)
• Die Größe des Campus ist beeindruckend. (The size of the campus is impressive.)
• Wir treffen uns auf dem Campus vor der Bibliothek. (We'll meet on campus in front of the library.)
• Ich muss heute noch auf den Campus fahren. (I still have to go to the campus today.)

🌐 How to use "der Campus"?

"Der Campus" is primarily used in the context of higher education. It describes the physical grounds of a university (Universität) or college of applied sciences (Fachhochschule).

• Academic Environment: The term is strongly associated with student life (Studentenleben), lectures (Vorlesungen), research (Forschung), and university facilities. (e.g., "Auf dem Campus herrscht reges Treiben." - The campus is bustling with activity.)
• Corporate Context: Less commonly, the term is also used for large, consolidated company sites, especially for modern tech companies (e.g., "der Apple Campus").
• Distinction: While Gelände (grounds) or Universitätsgelände (university grounds) are more neutral, Campus often emphasizes the sense of community and student life.

Typical collocations include: auf dem Campus sein/wohnen/studieren (to be/live/study on campus), das Campusleben (campus life), die Campus-Bibliothek (the campus library), der grüne Campus (the green campus).

💡 Mnemonics for "der Campus"

For the article (der): Think of DER Professor walking across the campus. Or imagine DER big place (Latin campus = place, field) where students learn. Masculine authority (professor) on the masculine campus.

For the meaning (university grounds): Think of students setting up a Camp for us on the university grounds during their studies. The Campus is their base 'camp'.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "der Campus"

⚠️ Caution: Not every Gelände (grounds) is a Campus. The term usually implies an educational or research institution.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Studenten auf dem Campus immer eine Leiter mit zur Vorlesung?

... Damit sie höhere Bildung erreichen können! 😂

(Why do students on campus always take a ladder to lectures? — So they can reach higher education!)

📜 Campus Whispers

Der Campus weit, bei Tag und Nacht,
Wo Wissen wächst und mancher lacht.
Zwischen Hörsaal, Mensa, grüner Au,
Lebt der Geist, so schlau, so schlau.
Von Büchern schwer, von Träumen leicht,
Ein Ort, der viele Ziele erreicht.

(The campus wide, by day and night,
Where knowledge grows and some laugh bright.
Between lecture hall, canteen, green lea,
Lives the spirit, so clever, you see.
Heavy with books, with dreams so light,
A place that reaches many a height.)

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Ort des Lernens, groß und breit,
Mit Gebäuden, Wegen, für die Studienzeit.
Studenten eilen hier von A nach B,
Manchmal grün, manchmal voller Schnee.
Mein Name klingt lateinisch, nach Feld und Platz,
Ich bin der Uni liebster Schatz.

Wer bin ich?

(I am a place of learning, large and wide,
With buildings, paths, for study time.
Students hurry here from A to B,
Sometimes green, sometimes full of snow, you see.
My name sounds Latin, like field and square,
I am the university's dearest treasure to share.

What am I?)

Solution: Der Campus

ℹ️ More about "der Campus"

• Etymology: The word comes directly from the Latin campus, meaning "flat field", "plain", or also "playground", "open space". In ancient Rome, the Campus Martius (Field of Mars) was a well-known area.
• Cultural Significance: The term "Campus" often evokes images of American college life but has become firmly established in German usage for university grounds.
• Compounds: Popular compound words include Campusleben (student life on campus), Campus-App (university app), Mensa auf dem Campus (canteen on campus), Campus-Tour (campus tour).