die  Ferienwohnung

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈfeːʁiənˌvɔːnʊŋ/

🏠 What Exactly is a Ferienwohnung?

Die Ferienwohnung (often abbreviated as FeWo) refers to a furnished apartment that is rented out for a limited period, typically for holiday or recreational purposes. Unlike a hotel room, it often offers more space, a private kitchen, and thus more independence and privacy.

It's a compound noun made up of:

• Ferien (plural of die Ferien = holidays, vacation, school break)
• Wohnung (die Wohnung = apartment, flat, dwelling)

Since the last part of the compound word, "Wohnung", is feminine (die Wohnung), the entire word is also feminine: die Ferienwohnung. There are no other articles or meanings to consider here. 🚨 Be careful: Don't confuse it with das Ferienhaus (an entire house for holidays).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Ferienwohnung

The word "Ferienwohnung" is a feminine noun (femininum Nomen). Therefore, the article is always die.

💬 Example Sentences

• Wir haben für den Sommerurlaub eine gemütliche Ferienwohnung an der Ostsee gebucht.
  (We booked a cozy holiday apartment on the Baltic Sea for the summer vacation.)
• Der Preis der Ferienwohnung war sehr günstig.
  (The price of the holiday apartment was very reasonable.)
• In dieser Ferienwohnung fühlt man sich sofort wie zuhause.
  (In this holiday apartment, you immediately feel at home.)
• Die Touristeninformation vermittelt viele Ferienwohnungen in der Region.
  (The tourist information office arranges many holiday apartments in the region.)

🗺️ When to Use Ferienwohnung?

The term die Ferienwohnung is primarily used in the context of travel and tourism (Reisen und Tourismus). It's the standard German term for an apartment offered for rent to holidaymakers.

• Typical Usage: Booking accommodation, describing holiday experiences, offers from tour operators or private landlords.
• Context: You talk about a Ferienwohnung when self-catering (kitchen available) and an apartment-like character are key features, as opposed to the service of a hotel.
• Distinction from other terms:
  • Hotelzimmer (hotel room): Usually smaller, no kitchen, daily room service included.
  • Pension (guesthouse/B&B): Often more family-run than a hotel, sometimes includes breakfast, but rarely cooking facilities in the room.
  • Apartment: Can also be a long-term rental apartment, but often used synonymously with Ferienwohnung when referring to short-term tourist rentals.
  • Ferienhaus (holiday house): A complete, detached or terraced house for holiday rental.
• Short form: In everyday language and advertisements, the abbreviation FeWo is often used.

🧠 Mnemonics for Ferienwohnung

For the article 'die': Think of 'die Wohnung' (the apartment). A Ferienwohnung is just a specific type of Wohnung – and Wohnung is feminine! So it's die (Ferien-)Wohnung.

For the meaning: Imagine you're on Ferien (vacation) and need your own Wohnung (apartment) to be independent – a Ferienwohnung!

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Caution: Das Apartment can also be neuter in German, especially when referring to a specific type of small, furnished room. However, in the tourism context, die Ferienwohnung or sometimes das Apartment are the most common terms.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Vermieter den Urlauber: "Na, wie gefällt Ihnen die Ferienwohnung? Haben Sie gut geschlafen?"
Antwortet der Urlauber: "Die Wohnung ist super! Nur das Bett war etwas hart."
Vermieter: "Ach, das ist keine Matratze, das ist der aufgeklappte Prospekt vom letzten Jahr!" 😄

Translation:
The landlord asks the holidaymaker: "Well, how do you like the holiday apartment? Did you sleep well?"
The holidaymaker replies: "The apartment is great! Only the bed was a bit hard."
Landlord: "Oh, that's not a mattress, that's last year's folded brochure!" 😄

📜 A Little Poem about the FeWo

Die Koffer packen, schnell ans Meer,
die Arbeit lassen, fällt nicht schwer.
Ein Schlüssel wartet, Tür geht auf,
die Ferienwohnung nimmt ihren Lauf.

Mit Küche, Bett und Balkon,
beginnt der Urlaub, hör den Ton:
Die Möwen schreien, Sonne lacht,
hier wird die schönste Zeit verbracht!

Translation:
Pack the bags, quickly to the sea,
Leaving work isn't hard for me.
A key is waiting, the door swings wide,
The holiday apartment begins its ride.

With kitchen, bed, and balcony view,
The vacation starts, hear the cue:
The seagulls cry, the sun does gleam,
Here the best time is spent, it would seem!

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich hab vier Wände, oft mit Blick,
doch wohnst du hier nur kurz, zum Glück.
Du kochst dir selber, wenn du magst,
im Urlaub hier paar Tage tagst.

Wie heiß ich wohl? Na, sag es schnell!
Ich bin kein Haus und kein Hotel.

Translation:
I have four walls, often with a view,
But you only stay here briefly, lucky you.
You cook for yourself, if you please,
Spending a few holiday days here with ease.

What am I called? Come on, tell me now!
I'm not a house and not a hotel, anyhow.

(Answer: die Ferienwohnung)

🧩 Word Components & Trivia

Word Composition (Kompositum):

• Die Ferien (plural): Derived from the Latin feriae (holidays, days of rest). Refers to a period of recreation, usually without work or school.
• Die Wohnung: A room or group of rooms serving as a dwelling.

Together they form die Ferienwohnung – an apartment for the holidays.

Trivia:

• The popularity of Ferienwohnungen has greatly increased due to online platforms like Airbnb or Booking.com.
• In Germany, there are strict regulations and classifications (stars) for Ferienwohnungen, which can be awarded by the German Tourism Association (DTV).