der  Kiosk

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/kiˈɔsk/

📰 What exactly is a Kiosk?

A Kiosk (der Kiosk, plural: die Kioske) is a small, often free-standing sales booth or stall. Typically, everyday items like newspapers (Zeitungen), magazines (Zeitschriften), tobacco products (Tabakwaren), sweets (Süßigkeiten), drinks (Getränke), and sometimes tickets or small snacks are sold there.

You often find kiosks in busy places like train stations (Bahnhöfen), bus stops (Haltestellen), in parks, or on street corners. They are used for quick purchases of small items.

🚨 Attention: The word originally comes from Turkish/Persian, where it referred to a garden pavilion. Today's meaning in German is more specific to the small sales stand.

📐 Grammar of 'der Kiosk' in Detail

The word "Kiosk" is a masculine noun. The article is "der". Here is the declension:

Example Sentences

1. Ich kaufe meine Zeitung immer am Kiosk.
   I always buy my newspaper at the kiosk.
2. Der Besitzer des Kiosks ist sehr freundlich.
   The owner of the kiosk is very friendly.
3. Kannst du mir bitte vom Kiosk eine Flasche Wasser mitbringen?
   Can you please bring me a bottle of water from the kiosk?
4. Siehst du den Kiosk dort drüben an der Ecke?
   Do you see the kiosk over there on the corner?
5. In dieser Stadt gibt es viele kleine Kioske.
   There are many small kiosks in this city.

🗣️ When and How to Use 'Kiosk'?

The term Kiosk is used very frequently in German to describe small points of sale. Here are some typical contexts:

• Quick purchases: People go to the Kiosk to quickly buy a newspaper, magazine, cigarettes, a drink, or sweets. "Ich hole mir kurz am Kiosk eine Cola." (I'll quickly grab a Coke at the kiosk.)
• Meeting point: Sometimes the Kiosk also serves as an informal meeting point in the neighborhood. "Wir treffen uns um acht am Kiosk." (We'll meet at eight at the kiosk.)
• Location reference: Used to describe places. "Die Haltestelle ist direkt neben dem Kiosk." (The bus stop is right next to the kiosk.)

Compared to a Supermarkt (supermarket) or Geschäft (shop/store), a Kiosk is significantly smaller and has a more limited range of goods. Regionally, there are other terms like Bude (Ruhr area, informal), Trinkhalle (often synonymous, sometimes focusing more on drinks), or Späti (Berlin, for kiosks open late).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Kiosk'

1. For the article 'der': Think of 'der'termined man running the little shop - DER Kiosk. Or imagine 'the' (which often corresponds to 'der' for masculine singular) man in the kiosk handing you a newspaper.
2. For the meaning: Imagine needing Keys, Ice cream, Orange juice, Stamps, and Kaugummi (chewing gum) - you might find them at the KIOSK.

Sometimes der Kiosk is like a small, saving lighthouse when you urgently need something! 🗼

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: The word Pavillon (pavilion) has a similar etymological origin but in German usually refers to a light garden house or an exhibition stand, not a sales kiosk.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Kunde am Kiosk: "Haben Sie Wechselgeld für einen 500-Euro-Schein?"
Sagt der Kioskbesitzer: "Klar! Einen Fünfhunderter oder zwei Zweihundertfünfziger?" 😄

A customer asks at the kiosk: "Do you have change for a 500 Euro bill?"
The kiosk owner says: "Sure! One five-hundred or two two-hundred-fifties?" 😄

📜 Poem about the Kiosk

Am Eck, ganz klein,
steht er allein,
der Kiosk fein.
Bringt Zeitung, Glück,
und süßes Stück,
kommt schnell zurück!

On the corner, small and neat,
it stands alone,
the Kiosk sweet.
Brings papers, luck,
and candy stuck,
come quickly back!

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin klein und steh' am Rand,
verkaufe vieles allerhand.
Zeitungen, Limo, Schokolade süß,
wer bin ich, sag's mir mit Verdruss?

I am small and stand aside,
selling many things inside.
Papers, soda, chocolate sweet,
who am I, can you repeat?

(Solution: der Kiosk)

ℹ️ More about the Kiosk

• Etymology: The word "Kiosk" comes from the Turkish köşk, which in turn was borrowed from the Persian kōšk (garden pavilion, villa). It entered German via French (kiosque).
• Culture: Kiosks, especially the Buden in the Ruhr area or the Spätis in Berlin, often have their own distinct subculture and serve as important social hubs in the neighborhood.
• Variety: There are specialized kiosks, e.g., Blumenkioske (flower kiosks), Imbisskioske (snack kiosks), or pure Zeitungskioske (newspaper kiosks).