der  Hof

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/hoːf/

🌳 What exactly is 'der Hof'?

The word der Hof is a masculine noun in German and has several meanings, often referring to an open, enclosed space or a specific type of estate:

• Courtyard/Yard 🧱: An open space surrounded by buildings or walls, often part of a larger building complex (e.g., Schulhof - schoolyard, Hinterhof - backyard/rear courtyard).
• Farm/Farmstead 🚜: An agricultural enterprise with residential and farm buildings and the associated land.
• Royal Court/Princely Court 👑: The residence and household of a prince or king; the circle of people surrounding the ruler (nobility, officials, servants).
• Court of Law (as part of compounds) 🏛️: A place of justice, often found in compound words like Bundesgerichtshof (Federal Court of Justice).

🚨 Even with different meanings, the article always remains der.

🧐 Grammar of 'der Hof' in Detail

Der Hof is a strong masculine noun. The plural form is die Höfe.

Example Sentences ✍️

1. Die Kinder spielen im Hof der Schule.
   (The children are playing in the school yard.)
2. Der Bauer arbeitet auf seinem Hof.
   (The farmer works on his farm.)
3. Am königlichen Hof gab es viele Intrigen.
   (There were many intrigues at the royal court.)
4. Die Größe des Hofes ist beeindruckend.
   (The size of the courtyard/farm is impressive.)
5. Wir besuchten mehrere alte Höfe in der Region.
   (We visited several old farms/farmsteads in the region.)

🗣️ How to use 'der Hof'?

The usage of der Hof strongly depends on the context:

• In an urban context: Usually refers to a Innenhof (inner courtyard), Hinterhof (backyard/rear courtyard), or Schulhof (schoolyard). Example: "Wir treffen uns im Hof." (We'll meet in the courtyard.)
• In a rural context: Generally means a Bauernhof (farm/farmstead). Example: "Sie lebt auf einem Hof außerhalb des Dorfes." (She lives on a farm outside the village.)
• In a historical or noble context: Refers to the Fürstenhof (princely court) or Königshof (royal court). Example: "Er wurde an den Hof berufen." (He was summoned to the court.)
• In a legal context (in compounds): Part of terms like Gerichtshof (court of law), Rechnungshof (court of auditors).

⚠️ Be careful not to confuse it with das Gericht (meal or court of law). While der Gerichtshof is a specific institution, das Gericht is more general (and can also mean a dish/meal!).

💡 Mnemonics for 'der Hof'

Article Mnemonic (der): Think of der Farmer working in der Hof. 'Farmer' is often associated with masculinity, helping remember the masculine article 'der'. Or imagine: Der janitor sweeps den Hof.

Meaning Mnemonic (Place/Yard): A Hof is often an Open Flat area (at least in the middle). The letters O and F are in HOF. Picture an open yard or space.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar Words

Be careful not to confuse der Hof with:

• Die Höflichkeit: (Politeness) - sounds similar, but completely different meaning.
• Hofieren: (To court someone, pay court to) - Verb derived from 'Hof' (royal court).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Bauer immer kalte Füße auf seinem Hof?

... Weil er zwischen den Zeilen jätet!

(Translation: Why does the farmer always have cold feet on his farm? ... Because he weeds between the rows/lines! - This is a pun, as 'Zeilen' means rows/lines, and 'Zehen' means toes. 'Zwischen den Zehen' means 'between the toes'.)

📜 Poem about 'der Hof'

Der Hof, ein Platz, mal groß, mal klein,
Mal sonnig hell, mal schattig rein.
Im Hinterhaus, versteckt und still,
Wo Efeu rankt, wie es ihm will.

Der Hof des Bauern, weit und breit,
Voll Leben, Arbeit, Jahreszeit.
Wo Tiere wohnen, Traktor dröhnt,
Und frisches Heu die Luft verwöhnt.

Der Hof des Königs, voller Pracht,
Wo einst der Adel hat gelacht.
Ein Ort der Macht, der Eleganz,
Vergang'ner Zeiten Glanz.

Translation:

The Hof (yard/court/farm), a place, sometimes big, sometimes small,
Sometimes sunny bright, sometimes purely shaded.
In the back building, hidden and quiet,
Where ivy climbs, as it pleases.

The Hof (farm) of the farmer, far and wide,
Full of life, work, season.
Where animals live, the tractor drones,
And fresh hay scents the air.

The Hof (court) of the king, full of splendor,
Where once the nobility laughed.
A place of power, of elegance,
The brilliance of times gone by.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin von Mauern oft umgeben,
Kann Bauern oder Kön'gen Leben geben.
Mal bin ich Platz für Spiel und Spaß,
Mal bin ich voller hohem Gras.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: der Hof

Translation:

I am often surrounded by walls,
Can give life to farmers or kings.
Sometimes I'm a place for games and fun,
Sometimes I'm full of tall grass.

What am I?

Answer: der Hof (the courtyard/farm/court)

🧩 Additional Information

Word Compounds

Der Hof is a very productive base word for compound nouns:

• Bauernhof: Farm
• Hinterhof: Backyard, rear courtyard
• Schulhof: Schoolyard
• Bahnhof: Train station (originally perhaps with a yard?)
• Friedhof: Cemetery (originally 'enclosed yard')
• Hofhund: Yard dog, farm dog
• Hofnarr: Court jester
• Hofstaat: Royal/princely household, court
• Gerichtshof: Court of law

Origin (Etymology)

The word Hof comes from the Old High German word hof, which originally meant an 'enclosed, fenced-in place', often related to an agricultural estate. It is related to the English word hope (in place names meaning 'enclosed valley') and possibly distantly related to haben (to have) in the sense of 'encompassing, holding'.