der  Umzug

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʊmˌt͡suːk/

🚚 What does "der Umzug" mean?

The German word der Umzug has two main meanings:

1. Relocation / Moving house or office: This is the most common meaning and describes the act of moving from one residence (apartment, house) or company location to another. It involves packing, transporting, and unpacking furniture and personal belongings. Example: the process of moving apartments.
2. Parade / Procession: This meaning refers to an organized procession of people, often with vehicles, music, and costumes, held for a specific occasion (e.g., Carnival - Karneval, marksmen's festival - Schützenfest, harvest festival - Erntedank). Example: a Carnival parade.

🚨 It's important to consider the context to understand the correct meaning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧭 Grammar: The Journey of the Word "Umzug"

"Umzug" is a masculine noun. Its article is der.

Declension of 'der Umzug'

Example Sentences 💡

• Meaning 1 (Relocation):
  • Der Umzug in die neue Wohnung war anstrengend. (The move into the new apartment was exhausting.)
  • Wir planen unseren Umzug für nächsten Monat. (We are planning our move for next month.)
  • Wegen des Umzugs brauchen wir viele Kartons. (Because of the move, we need many boxes.)
• Meaning 2 (Parade):
  • Der Karnevalsumzug zieht durch die ganze Stadt. (The Carnival parade moves through the whole city.)
  • Viele Leute schauen sich den festlichen Umzug an. (Many people watch the festive parade.)
  • Die Kinder freuten sich auf den Martinsumzug. (The children were looking forward to the St. Martin's Day procession.)

🗣️ When to use "Umzug"?

Context is key!

• Relocation: When talking about leaving an old home and moving into a new one, you use "der Umzug". It's a common word in this context. The related verb is "umziehen" (to move). Example: "Nach dem Umzug müssen wir uns erst einmal einleben." (After the move, we first need to settle in.)
• Parade/Procession: When referring to a public procession, "der Umzug" is also appropriate. It's often combined with the occasion: Karnevalsumzug (Carnival parade), Schützenumzug (marksmen's parade), Laternenumzug (lantern procession, e.g., for St. Martin's Day). Example: "Der Umzug war sehr bunt und laut." (The parade was very colorful and loud.)

Distinctions:

• Auszug: Refers only to the act of moving out of a place.
• Einzug: Refers only to the act of moving in to a new place.
• Übersiedlung: A more formal word for Umzug (relocation), often used in official contexts or for larger company moves.
• Prozession: Often religious or ceremonial in nature, but can be used similarly to Umzug (parade).

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Umzug"

For the article (der): Think of "der Zug" 🚂 (the train). A parade (Umzug) is like a long train of people, and when moving house (Umzug), a whole "train" of furniture moves from A to B. Remembering der Zug helps you remember der Umzug.

For the meanings: Imagine you are moving house (du ziehst um - meaning 1: relocation) and suddenly your moving truck transforms into a colorful float in a Carnival train/procession (ein Karnevalszug - meaning 2: parade). Your Umzug (move) becomes an Umzug (parade)!

↔️ Similar and Opposite Words

😂 A Little Moving Joke

DE: Fragt der Freund: "Na, wie war der Umzug?" Antwortet der andere: "Super! Nur die Möbelpacker hatten Probleme... die schweren Bücher wollten einfach nicht allein die Treppe hochlaufen!"

EN: A friend asks: "So, how was the move (der Umzug)?" The other replies: "Great! Only the movers had problems... the heavy books just didn't want to walk up the stairs by themselves!"

📜 Umzug Poem

DE:
Der Umzug naht, die Kisten schwer,
Ein neues Heim, wir wollen mehr.
Tapeten ab und Möbel raus,
Ein letzter Blick aufs alte Haus.

oder (or)

Der Umzug zieht mit Saus und Braus,
Musik und Tanz, welch ein Applaus!
Kamelle fliegen durch die Luft,
Ein fröhlich-bunter Narrenduft.

EN Translation (Relocation):
The move approaches, the boxes heavy,
A new home awaits, we want more, steady.
Wallpaper off and furniture out,
A last look at the old house, no doubt.

EN Translation (Parade):
The parade proceeds with pomp and sound,
Music and dance, what applause all around!
Sweets fly through the air so high,
A cheerful, colorful fool's scent nearby.

❓ Umzug Riddle

DE:
Ich trage Kisten, schwer und voll,
Von A nach B, das find ich toll.
Manchmal bin ich laut und bunt,
Zieh durch die Stadt zu mancher Stund'.
Mal bring ich Freude, mal viel Stress,
Bin Abschied oft und Neubeginn, gewiss.
Wer bin ich?

EN:
I carry boxes, heavy and full,
From A to B, I find that cool.
Sometimes I'm loud and colorful,
Moving through town at certain hours, pull.
Sometimes I bring joy, sometimes much stress,
I'm often farewell and a new start, no less.
What am I?

... Der Umzug (the move / the parade)

🧩 More about "Umzug"

Word Composition:

The word "Umzug" is a noun derived from the verb "umziehen" (to move). It consists of the prefix "um-" (which indicates a change or relocation here) and the noun "der Zug" (movement, pulling, procession, train).

Related Words:

• umziehen (verb): to move (house/location)
• der Umzugshelfer / die Umzugshelferin: moving helper (male/female)
• der Umzugskarton: moving box
• das Umzugsunternehmen: moving company
• der Karnevalsumzug, Martinsumzug, Festumzug: specific types of parades (Carnival, St. Martin's Day, festival)