der
Kurzurlaub
🌍 What Exactly is a Kurzurlaub?
A Kurzurlaub (noun, masculine) refers to a short trip or vacation, typically lasting only a few days, often over a weekend or a public holiday. It's a break from everyday life that isn't as long as an annual vacation (Jahresurlaub).
The focus is on relaxation or experiences within a short period. Popular destinations include cities, wellness hotels, or nearby nature areas.
There is only one article: der Kurzurlaub.
📚 Grammar Compass: Der Kurzurlaub in Detail
The word "Kurzurlaub" is a masculine noun. The article is always "der". It is declined like most masculine nouns.
Declension (Deklination)
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | ein | Kurzurlaub |
| Genitive | des | eines | Kurzurlaubs / Kurzurlaubes |
| Dative | dem | einem | Kurzurlaub |
| Accusative | den | einen | Kurzurlaub |
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | keine / einige | Kurzurlaube |
| Genitive | der | keiner / einiger | Kurzurlaube |
| Dative | den | keinen / einigen | Kurzurlauben |
| Accusative | die | keine / einige | Kurzurlaube |
Example Sentences (Beispielsätze) 📝
- Wir machen nächstes Wochenende einen Kurzurlaub an der Ostsee.
(We're taking a short break at the Baltic Sea next weekend.) - Ein Kurzurlaub tut gut, um die Batterien wieder aufzuladen.
(A short break is good for recharging your batteries.) - Die Kosten des Kurzurlaubs waren überschaubar.
(The costs of the short break were manageable.) - Sie freut sich schon auf ihren Kurzurlaub in den Bergen.
(She's looking forward to her short break in the mountains.) - Viele Hotels bieten spezielle Angebote für Kurzurlaube an.
(Many hotels offer special deals for short breaks.)
💡 How and When to Use "Kurzurlaub"?
"Kurzurlaub" is a very common word in German, especially concerning leisure activities and travel.
- Typical Use: You talk about a Kurzurlaub when the travel duration is short, usually 2 to 5 days. A typical case is a weekend trip (Wochenendtrip) or using bridging days (Brückentage).
- Context: The word is used in private conversations as well as in the tourism industry (advertising, offers).
- Distinction: An Ausflug (excursion, day trip) is usually shorter (often just one day without an overnight stay). A Reise (journey, trip) is a more general term and can be of any duration. An Urlaub (vacation, holiday) is often longer than a Kurzurlaub (e.g., the annual vacation, Jahresurlaub).
- Combinations: Often combined with destinations (Kurzurlaub in Paris - short break in Paris), purposes (Wellness-Kurzurlaub - wellness short break), or time frames (Wochenend-Kurzurlaub - weekend short break).
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic: Think of der Urlaub (the vacation). Since Urlaub is masculine (der), the shortened version der Kurzurlaub also stays masculine. Think: the Urlaub is the man (masculine) in charge of free time, even if he's short (kurz).
Meaning Mnemonic: The word explains itself! It's a vacation (Urlaub) that is short (kurz). Imagine packing only short trousers for your short vacation (Kurzurlaub).
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Kurzreise: (Short trip) Very similar, often interchangeable.
- Wochenendtrip: (Weekend trip) More specific, refers to the weekend.
- Trip: (Trip) More general and can be shorter, also used for business trips.
- Auszeit: (Time out) Emphasizes the break from everyday life, doesn't necessarily have to be a trip.
- (Kurzer) Abstecher: (Short detour/side trip) More like a brief visit during a longer journey or activity.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- Langzeiturlaub: (Long-term vacation) A vacation lasting several weeks or months.
- Jahresurlaub: (Annual vacation) The main vacation of the year, usually longer.
- Weltreise: (Round-the-world trip) A very long journey across continents.
- Fernreise: (Long-distance travel) A trip to faraway destinations, usually lasting longer.
⚠️ Caution: An Ausflug (day trip, excursion) is typically shorter than a Kurzurlaub and often doesn't include an overnight stay.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum nehmen Skelette keinen Kurzurlaub?
Weil sie niemanden (no body) haben, der mitfährt! 😉
(Why don't skeletons take a short break? Because they have no body to go with!)
📜 Poem: Oasis in Everyday Life
Der Alltag grau, die Arbeit schwer,
Ein Wunsch nach Auszeit, bitte sehr!
Nicht lang, nicht weit, nur für ein paar Tag',
Ein Kurzurlaub, das ist's, was ich mag.
Die Koffer klein, das Ziel ganz nah,
Entspannung pur, wie wunderbar!
Die Seele baumelt, frei und leicht,
Ein Kurzurlaub, der viel erreicht.
(Everyday life grey, work is hard,)
(A wish for time out, please regard!)
(Not long, not far, just for a few days,)
(A Kurzurlaub, that's what I praise.)
(The suitcases small, the goal nearby,)
(Pure relaxation, oh how nice!)
(The soul dangles, free and light,)
(A Kurzurlaub, that achieves much might.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin kurz, doch bringe Freud'
Vertreibe Stress und Alltagsleid.
Ein Wochenende reicht oft schon,
Für Erholung und neuen Lohn.
Was bin ich?
(I am short, but bring delight,
Chase away stress and daily plight.
A weekend is often enough,
For relaxation and new stuff [energy].)
What am I?
Solution: Der Kurzurlaub (The short break/vacation)
🧩 More Details on Kurzurlaub
Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):
"Kurzurlaub" is a compound noun (Kompositum) made of two parts:
- kurz: Adjective, meaning 'short' (in duration or length).
- Urlaub: Noun (masculine, der), meaning 'paid time off work for recreation' or 'journey/trip during this time'.
Together, the meaning is: a vacation of short duration.
Popularity: Short breaks (Kurzurlaube) have gained popularity in recent decades as they are more flexible to plan and offer a quick escape from everyday life. 🏖️🏙️🏞️
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Kurzurlaub?
The word "Kurzurlaub" is always masculine. The correct article is der Kurzurlaub. It refers to a short trip for relaxation or recreation, typically lasting a few days.