der  Leerstand

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈleːɐ̯ˌʃtant/

🏢 What exactly does "Leerstand" mean?

Der Leerstand refers to the state where a building, apartment, commercial space, or other property is uninhabited or unused. So, it describes the absence of tenants or users.

Essentially, it means vacancy, especially in the context of real estate. A high Leerstand in a city can indicate economic problems or a surplus of housing.

🚨 Attention: The term is almost exclusively used for real estate.

🧐 Grammar: Der Leerstand in Detail

The noun "Leerstand" is masculine. So, the article is der.

It is mostly used in the singular because it often describes a state. The plural "die Leerstände" exists but is used less frequently and refers to multiple specific vacant properties or statistical data.

Declension (Singular)

Note: The Genitive and Dative ending "-e" is optional and considered more formal or dated.

Declension (Plural - rare)

Example Sentences

1. Der hohe Leerstand in der Innenstadt bereitet Sorgen.
   (The high vacancy rate in the city center is causing concern.)
2. Wir müssen Maßnahmen gegen den zunehmenden Leerstand ergreifen.
   (We must take measures against the increasing vacancy.)
3. Die Verwaltung erfasst die Leerstände in der Region (Plural usage).
   (The administration records the vacant properties in the region.)
4. Während des Leerstands wurde das Gebäude renoviert.
   (The building was renovated during the period of vacancy.)

🗣️ How to use "Leerstand"?

"Leerstand" is a key term in the fields of real estate management (Immobilienwirtschaft), urban planning (Stadtplanung), and housing policy (Wohnungspolitik).

• It's used when talking about vacant apartments (Wohnungen), offices (Büros), retail spaces (Ladenlokale), or entire buildings (Gebäude).
• It often appears in discussions about rental prices (Mietpreise), housing shortages (Wohnraummangel), or economic development (wirtschaftliche Entwicklung).
• Statistics use the Leerstandsquote (vacancy rate).

Compared to "Vakanz": "Leerstand" is more common in German, especially in spoken language and for residential properties. "Vakanz" sounds a bit more formal or technical and is also often used for unfilled job positions (Jobvakanz), which "Leerstand" is not.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: Think of a market Stand. If the stand is leer (empty), it's der Leerstand. (Words ending in '-stand' in German are often masculine: der Abstand (distance), der Zustand (state), der Widerstand (resistance)).

Meaning Mnemonic: The house is leer (empty), it's in a sad Stand (state) – that's Leerstand (vacancy). 👻

↔️ Opposites and Similar Words

⚠️ Don't confuse it with "Stillstand" (standstill, lack of movement/progress) or "Leerlauf" (idling, like an engine running without load).

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Makler den Interessenten: "Und, wie gefällt Ihnen die Wohnung?"
Antwortet der Interessent: "Sehr gut, besonders der viele Platz für Echos!"

Translation:
The real estate agent asks the potential tenant: "So, how do you like the apartment?"
The potential tenant replies: "Very much, especially all the space for echoes!"

📜 Poem about Vacancy (Leerstand)

Ein Fenster blind, die Tür verschlossen,
kein Lachen hallt, kein Wort ergossen.
Das Haus steht still, in Staub gehüllt,
ein stummer Zeuge, ungestillt.
Der Leerstand nagt, frisst Stein um Stein,
wartet auf Leben, Licht und Schein.

Translation:
A window blind, the door is locked,
No laughter echoes, no word is talked.
The house stands still, enveloped in dust,
A silent witness, unfulfilled, unjust.
The vacancy gnaws, eats stone by stone,
Waiting for life, light, and a home.

🧩 Riddle: What am I?

Ich bin ein Zustand, kalt und still,
in Häusern, die niemand nutzen will.
Makler fürchten mich gar sehr,
ich bedeute: keine Mieter mehr.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I am a state, cold and still,
In houses no one wants to fill.
Real estate agents fear me greatly,
I mean: no more tenants lately.

What am I?
... Der Leerstand (Vacancy)

💡 Other Information

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):

The word "Leerstand" is a compound noun, composed of:

• leer: Adjective meaning 'empty', 'unoccupied'.
• Stand: Noun, derived from 'stehen' (to stand), here meaning 'state' or 'condition'.

Cultural Significance: Leerstand can be a symbol of decay, but also of potential and transformation in cities. The repurposing of vacant buildings (Umnutzung von Leerständen) is an important topic in modern urban development (Stadtentwicklung).