der  Park

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/paʁk/

🌳 What does "der Park" mean?

The German word der Park primarily has two meanings:

1. Public green space: A larger green area, usually within a city, intended for recreation. Often equipped with trees, paths, benches, and sometimes playgrounds or ponds. Example: Wir gehen am Wochenende im Park spazieren (We go for a walk in the park on the weekend).
2. Parking lot/area (less common, often in compounds): An area for parking vehicles. This meaning is often found in compound words like der Parkplatz (parking lot), das Parkhaus (parking garage), or die Parkbucht (parking bay), but "der Park" alone can sometimes refer to this in specific contexts (e.g., signs, "Parken verboten" - No Parking). 🚨 Be careful: The primary meaning is the green area. For a parking lot, people usually say der Parkplatz.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Park

The noun "Park" is masculine. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

• Der Park lädt zum Verweilen ein. (The park invites you to linger.)
• Die Schönheit des Parks (or des Parkes) ist beeindruckend. (The beauty of the park is impressive.)
• Wir treffen uns im Park (or im Parke). (We are meeting in the park.)
• Ich sehe den Park vom Fenster aus. (I see the park from the window.)
• Viele Parks in der Stadt bieten Spielplätze. (Many parks in the city offer playgrounds.)
• Die Verwaltung der städtischen Parks ist aufwendig. (The administration of the city parks is complex.)
• In den Parks (or Parken) blühen jetzt die Blumen. (The flowers are blooming in the parks now.)
• Die Stadt verschönert die Parks (or Parke). (The city is beautifying the parks.)

🚶 How to use "der Park"?

"Der Park" is mostly used in the sense of a green space. You go in den Park (into the park), walk im Park (in the park), meet am Park (at the park).

• Context Recreation & Nature: "Lass uns im Park picknicken." (Let's have a picnic in the park.), "Die Kinder spielen im Park." (The children are playing in the park.)
• Context Urban Planning: "Der neue Stadtteil bekommt einen großen Park." (The new district is getting a large park.)
• Distinction from Parkplatz: Although "Park" can also mean "parking lot", this is less common and usually part of compound words (Parkhaus, Parklücke, Parkscheibe). When in doubt, "der Park" refers to the green space. If you're talking about parking cars, der Parkplatz is the clearer word. Example: "Ich suche einen Parkplatz, nicht einen Park zum Spazierengehen!" (I'm looking for a parking spot, not a park to walk in!)
• Other similar words: Die Anlage (often more general, can also be a sports facility), die Grünfläche (often smaller or more specific), der Garten (usually private or botanical).

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Park"

1. For the article: Think of things you find in a park that are often masculine in German: der Baum (the tree), der Weg (the path), der Rasen (the lawn). These masculine elements shape the image of der Park.
2. For the meaning: A Park is a place where you pause and relax – the initial letters P and R are almost in the word. Imagine taking a pause in the Park.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Risk of Confusion:

• Die Parka: An item of clothing (anorak). Sounds similar, but completely different meaning and gender.

😂 A little joke

Warum nehmen Eichhörnchen keine U-Bahn?

Weil sie lieber im Park umsteigen! 🐿️

(Why don't squirrels take the subway?)

(Because they prefer to change in the park! - "Umsteigen" means to change trains/transport, but also literally "to climb over/around".)

📜 Poem about the Park

Der Park ruft leis', komm tritt herein,
Lass Hektik und den Lärm mal sein.
Wo Bäume rauschen, alt und groß,
Fällt Alltagsdruck dir in den Schoß.
Ein grüner Fleck, für dich, für mich,
Der Park, er wartet sicherlich.

(The park calls softly, come step inside,
Let hustle and noise subside.
Where trees rustle, old and grand,
Daily stress falls from your hand.
A green spot, for you, for me,
The park, it waits assuredly.)

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich habe Wege, doch keine Reise.
Ich habe Bänke, doch kein Haus.
Ich biete Ruhe auf meine Weise,
Und locke dich zur Tür hinaus. Bin oft in Städten zu finden,
Ein grünes Herz, um zu entspannen geschwinden. Was bin ich?

(I have paths, but no journey.
I have benches, but no house.
I offer peace in my own way,
And lure you out of the door to play.
I'm often found in cities near,
A green heart, to relax and hold dear.
What am I?)

Solution: Der Park (The Park)

💡 More about der Park

• Etymology: The word "Park" comes from the French parc, which originally meant an enclosed (animal) area or hunting ground. It entered German via English.
• Compound Words (Komposita): There are many words containing "Park": Parkbank (park bench), Parkwächter (park ranger), Parkgebühr (parking fee), Parkhaus (parking garage), Parkscheibe (parking disc), Nationalpark (national park), Freizeitpark (amusement park), Tierpark (zoo/animal park), Schlosspark (palace park), Kurpark (spa park), Parkett (parquet flooring, etymologically related via 'small enclosed area').
• Idiom: "Jemandem die Parkuhr volllabern" (dated) – to talk someone's ear off incessantly (literally: to fill someone's parking meter with chatter).