der  Trakt

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/tʁakt/

🏢 What does "der Trakt" mean?

The German word der Trakt has several meanings:

• Part of a building: A specific wing or section of a larger building (e.g., hospital, school, office building). Example: Der West-Trakt des Krankenhauses wird renoviert. (The west wing of the hospital is being renovated.)
• Tract of land: A larger, contiguous area or region, often used for agriculture or forestry. Example: Ein weiter Trakt Ackerland erstreckte sich vor ihnen. (A wide tract of farmland stretched out before them.)
• Pamphlet/Tract: A short treatise or pamphlet, often with religious or political content (somewhat dated in this meaning). Example: Er verteilte religiöse Trakte in der Fußgängerzone. (He distributed religious tracts in the pedestrian zone.)

🚨 The most common meaning in modern German is the part of a building.

🧐 Grammar of "der Trakt" in Detail

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

Note: In the genitive and dative singular, an "-e-" can optionally be added (des Traktes, dem Trakte), but this sounds rather formal or dated.

📝 Example Sentences

• Der Operationstrakt befindet sich im zweiten Stock. (The operating wing is on the second floor.)
• Wir gingen durch einen langen, dunklen Trakt des alten Schlosses. (We walked through a long, dark section of the old castle.)
• Der Förster überwacht einen großen Trakt Wald. (The forester monitors a large tract of forest.)
• Im Mittelalter wurden oft religiöse Trakte verbreitet. (In the Middle Ages, religious tracts were often distributed.)

💡 How "Trakt" is used

• Part of a building: Very common in contexts like hospitals (OP-Trakt - operating wing, Stationstrakt - ward wing), schools (Klassentrakt - classroom wing), office buildings (Verwaltungstrakt - administration wing), or large residential complexes. It describes a functionally or structurally separate part. Similar to wing or section.
• Tract of land: More common in formal or written language, often referring to agriculture, forestry, or large properties (Landtrakt, Waldtrakt).
• Pamphlet/Tract: Rarely used today, mostly in historical or religious contexts for Traktat (tractate) or Flugschrift (pamphlet).

⚠️ Don't confuse "Trakt" with "Traktor" (the farm vehicle) or the verb "tracken" (to track).

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Trakt"

For the article: Think of der Führer (the leader/guide) showing you the way through der Trakt (the wing/section). Or: It takes a strong man (masculine 'der') to manage a large Trakt of land.

For the meaning: Imagine walking a long 'track' through a building Trakt. Or a farmer driving his Traktor over his land Trakt.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar Words:

• Der Traktor: Agricultural vehicle.
• Das Traktat: A more detailed scientific or philosophical treatise (can also be a synonym for Trakt as a pamphlet).
• Der Akt: Act (of a play); an action; a file/dossier (die Akte).

😂 A little joke

Warum hat das Krankenhaus einen Musik-Trakt gebaut?
(Why did the hospital build a music wing?)

Damit die Patienten endlich mal andere Töne hören!
(So the patients could finally hear different notes/tones! - Pun: 'andere Töne hören' can mean 'hear different music' or 'change their tune/attitude')

📜 Poem about a Trakt

Im Krankenhaus, ein langer Gang,
(In the hospital, a long corridor,)
Der West-Trakt, hier wart ich bang.
(The west wing, here I wait anxiously.)
Ein Labyrinth aus Tür und Raum,
(A labyrinth of door and room,)
Ein eigner kleiner Lebensbaum.
(Its own little tree of life.)

Ein andrer Trakt, voll Wald und Feld,
(Another tract, full of forest and field,)
Vom Förster sorgsam aufgestellt.
(Carefully managed by the forester.)
Ein grünes Reich, so weit und breit,
(A green realm, so vast and wide,)
Natur in ihrer Herrlichkeit.
(Nature in its glory.)

❓ Riddle

Ich bin ein Teil von einem Haus,
(I am part of a house,)
Mal lang, mal kurz, sieht anders aus.
(Sometimes long, sometimes short, looks different.)
Manchmal bin ich Land, ganz weit,
(Sometimes I am land, very vast,)
Manchmal 'ne Schrift aus alter Zeit.
(Sometimes a writing from old times.)

Was bin ich? / What am I?
(Lösung/Solution: der Trakt)

🤓 More Interesting Facts

The word "Trakt" comes from the Latin word tractus, meaning "pull", "course", "stretch", or "tract of land". This explains the different meanings, all related to an extension or a section.

You can also find the word in compounds such as:

• Verdauungstrakt (digestive tract)
• Respirationstrakt (Atemtrakt) (respiratory tract)
• Harntrakt (urinary tract)
• Verwaltungstrakt (administration wing)
• Operationstrakt (operating wing/theatre)