der
Sitzplatz
🪑 What exactly is a 'Sitzplatz'?
The German word der Sitzplatz (noun, masculine) refers to a specific spot or opportunity where one can sit down. It's a place designated for sitting, often found on public transport, at event venues, or even in private settings.
- Concrete place: A chair, a spot on a bench, an assigned seat on a plane or in a cinema (Kino).
- Opportunity: The possibility to sit down somewhere.
The word is a compound of sitzen (verb: to sit) and Platz (noun, masculine: place, spot, square). Because the last part of the compound word is der Platz, the whole word takes the masculine article: der Sitzplatz.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-tz → almost always masculine.
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Sitzplatz
The noun 'Sitzplatz' is masculine. The article is der.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Sitzplatz |
| Genitive | des | Sitzplatzes |
| Dative | dem | Sitzplatz / Sitzplatze¹ |
| Accusative | den | Sitzplatz |
¹ The dative ending -e is less common and more formal.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Sitzplätze |
| Genitive | der | Sitzplätze |
| Dative | den | Sitzplätzen |
| Accusative | die | Sitzplätze |
Example Sentences
- Nominative: Der Sitzplatz neben dem Fenster war noch frei. (The seat next to the window was still free.)
- Genitive: Die Reservierung des Sitzplatzes kostete extra. (The reservation of the seat cost extra.)
- Dative: Ich saß auf dem falschen Sitzplatz. (I was sitting in the wrong seat.)
- Accusative: Kann ich bitte einen Sitzplatz reservieren? (Can I reserve a seat, please?)
- Plural: Alle Sitzplätze im Zug waren besetzt. (All seats on the train were occupied.)
💬 How to Use 'Sitzplatz'?
'Sitzplatz' is used very frequently when talking about sitting, especially in contexts where seats are limited or assigned.
- Public Transport (Verkehrsmittel): On trains (Zug), buses (Bus), planes (Flugzeug), ships (Schiff). Example: „Haben Sie noch freie Sitzplätze nach Berlin?“ (Do you still have free seats to Berlin?)
- Events (Veranstaltungen): In cinemas (Kino), theaters (Theater), concerts (Konzert), stadiums (Stadion). Example: „Unsere Sitzplätze sind in der dritten Reihe.“ (Our seats are in the third row.)
- Dining (Gastronomie): In restaurants (Restaurant), cafés (Café) (often just 'Platz'). Example: „Wir hätten gerne einen Sitzplatz für zwei Personen.“ (We would like a table/seat for two people.)
- General: Any kind of seating opportunity. Example: „Findest du noch einen Sitzplatz auf der Parkbank?“ (Can you find a seat on the park bench?)
Typical Verbs: einen Sitzplatz finden (find), suchen (look for), reservieren (reserve), buchen (book), anbieten (offer), einnehmen (take), freimachen (vacate).
Distinction: While 'Platz' is more general and can also mean 'space' or 'square', 'Sitzplatz' specifically means a place to sit.
🧠 Memory Hooks
Article Mnemonic: Think of der Platz (the place/spot). A Sitzplatz is a specific type of Platz, which is masculine. So: der Platz -> der Sitzplatz.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you sit-z (like 'sit') on a specific Platz (place) – that's your Sitzplatz.
↔️ Similar & Opposite: Synonyms and Antonyms for Sitzplatz
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- der Platz: More general, but often used synonymously (e.g., „Ist dieser Platz noch frei?“ - Is this seat/spot free?).
- die Sitzgelegenheit: A bit more formal, emphasizes the opportunity to sit.
- der Stuhl: A specific piece of furniture for sitting (chair).
- der Sessel: A more comfortable chair (armchair).
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- der Stehplatz: A place where you can only stand (e.g., on a bus, at concerts).
⚠️ Potentially Misleading Words:
- der Parkplatz: A parking spot for a car, not for sitting!
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Schaffner im überfüllten Zug: „Hat hier jemand zwei Sitzplätze?“
Meldet sich ein Mann: „Ja, ich!“
Schaffner: „Dann stehen Sie bitte von einem auf, damit sich die Dame setzen kann!“
Translation: The conductor asks on the crowded train: "Does anyone here have two seats?"
A man answers: "Yes, I do!"
Conductor: "Then please get up from one so the lady can sit down!"
📜 A Little Poem
Im Zug, im Bus, im großen Saal,
such ich ihn, manchmal mit Qual.
Ist er bequem und schön und mein,
will ich auf diesem Sitzplatz sein.
Manchmal reserviert, oft frei,
ein guter Platz, ich bin dabei!
Translation:
On the train, the bus, in the grand hall,
I search for it, sometimes through thrall.
If it's comfy and nice and mine,
I want to be on this seat divine.
Sometimes reserved, often free,
A good seat, that's the place for me!
❓ Riddle Time
Ich habe keine Beine, doch man ruht sich auf mir aus.
Im Kino, Zug und Flugzeug fühlst du dich bei mir zuhaus'.
Manchmal musst du mich suchen, manchmal reservieren fein.
Was kann das nur sein?
Translation:
I have no legs, but people rest on me.
In the cinema, train, and plane, you feel at home with me.
Sometimes you must search for me, sometimes reserve me nicely.
What could I possibly be?
Solution: der Sitzplatz (the seat)
🧩 More Details
Word Composition (Kompositum):
The word 'Sitzplatz' is a typical German compound noun. It consists of:
- The verb stem of sitzen (to sit)
- The noun der Platz (place, spot, square)
In German, compound nouns generally take the gender (and thus the article) of the last noun in the compound (das Grundwort). Since 'Platz' is masculine ('der Platz'), 'der Sitzplatz' is also masculine.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Sitzplatz?
The noun "Sitzplatz" is masculine, so the correct article is always der. It means a place or opportunity for sitting (e.g., on a train, in a cinema). The plural form is "die Sitzplätze".