die  Geräuschkulisse

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡəˈʁɔɪʃkuˌlɪsə/

🔊 What exactly is a Geräuschkulisse?

The word die Geräuschkulisse (feminine) describes the entirety of sounds heard in a specific place or situation. It's like an acoustic 'backdrop' or 'setting'. It can be used for natural environments (e.g., a forest) or artificial ones (e.g., a city, a film).

It's a compound noun made up of:

• das Geräusch (the sound, the noise)
• die Kulisse (the backdrop, the scenery, e.g., in a theatre)

Since 'Kulisse' is feminine (die Kulisse), 'Geräuschkulisse' is also feminine (die Geräuschkulisse).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: die Geräuschkulisse

The noun 'Geräuschkulisse' is feminine. The article is 'die'.

Declension

Example Sentences

1. Die Geräuschkulisse der Großstadt war ohrenbetäubend. (The soundscape of the big city was deafening.)
2. Im Wald genossen wir die natürliche Geräuschkulisse aus Vogelgezwitscher und Blätterrauschen. (In the forest, we enjoyed the natural soundscape of birdsong and rustling leaves.)
3. Der Filmregisseur nutzte eine subtile Geräuschkulisse, um Spannung aufzubauen. (The film director used a subtle soundscape to build tension.)
4. Manchmal sehne ich mich nach einem Ort ohne ständige Geräuschkulisse. (Sometimes I long for a place without a constant background noise.)

🗣️ How to use 'Geräuschkulisse'

The term 'Geräuschkulisse' is used to describe the totality of background sounds in an environment. It's often more neutral than 'Lärm' (noise), but can also have negative connotations if the sounds are perceived as disturbing.

• City vs. Countryside: One speaks of the urbane Geräuschkulisse (urban soundscape - traffic, sirens) in contrast to the ländliche Geräuschkulisse (rural soundscape - animal sounds, wind).
• Film & Theatre: Here, the Geräuschkulisse is intentionally designed (sound design) to create atmosphere.
• Everyday life: The Geräuschkulisse in the office (typing, phone calls) or in a café (conversations, coffee machine).

Compared to 'Hintergrundgeräusch' (background noise - usually used in singular for a specific sound in the background), 'Geräuschkulisse' describes the entire sound environment.

💡 Mnemonics for Geräuschkulisse

• Article Mnemonic: Think of die Theaterkulisse (the theatre backdrop). The sounds (Geräusche) form an acoustic backdrop. Since 'Kulisse' is feminine, 'Geräuschkulisse' is also feminine: die Geräuschkulisse.

• Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine standing before a theatre Kulisse (scenery). Now close your eyes and listen – all the Geräusche (sounds) together make up the acoustic 'scenery', the Geräuschkulisse.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: 'Lärm' is usually negative and refers to loud, disturbing sounds, whereas 'Geräuschkulisse' can be more neutral.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Städter den Bauern: "Wie hältst du nur diese ohrenbetäubende Stille hier aus?"
Antwortet der Bauer: "Das ist keine Stille, das ist die Geräuschkulisse der Natur. Du musst nur lernen, die Vögel von den Grillen zu unterscheiden!" 😄

Translation:

The city dweller asks the farmer: "How can you possibly stand this deafening silence out here?"
The farmer replies: "That's not silence, that's the soundscape of nature. You just have to learn to tell the birds from the crickets!" 😄

📜 Poem about Geräuschkulisse

Die Stadt, sie summt, ein grauer Riese,
ihre laute Geräuschkulisse.
Autos hupen, Züge rollen,
Stimmen, die im Echo schallen.

Doch geh hinaus, wo Wälder steh'n,
da kannst du andre Klänge seh'n – äh, hör'n!
Der Wind im Laub, der Vögel Chor,
eine andre Welt dringt an dein Ohr.

Translation:

The city hums, a giant grey,
its loud soundscape holds its sway.
Cars honk, trains roll on the track,
Voices echoing, coming back.

But go outside, where forests stand,
you'll hear sounds from a different land.
The wind in leaves, the birds' sweet choir,
a different world sets ears afire.

❓ Riddle

Ich bin immer da, doch selten allein,
in der Stadt laut, im Wald ganz fein.
Ich bin die Summe vieler Töne,
mal Lärm, mal angenehme Schöne.
Mal hörst du mich bewusst, mal nebenbei,
was bin ich wohl, sag schnell herbei?

Translation:

I am always there, but seldom alone,
Loud in the city, in the woods finely sown.
I am the sum of many a sound,
Sometimes noise, sometimes pleasantly profound.
You might hear me consciously, or just passing by,
What am I then? Give it a try!

Solution: die Geräuschkulisse (the soundscape / background noise)

🧩 Word Components & Trivia

Word Composition:

The word 'Geräuschkulisse' is a compound noun (Kompositum) consisting of two nouns:

• das Geräusch: A single sound or noise. The prefix 'Ge-' often indicates a collection or result (like in Gebirge - mountains, Gerede - chatter). 'Rauschen' (to rustle, roar) is the likely root.
• die Kulisse: Originally from French ('coulisse' - sliding screen in theatre). Refers to the stage background or scenery.

Together, it thus means the 'sound scenery' or 'acoustic background'.

Trivia: In acoustics and urban planning, the analysis of Geräuschkulissen (soundscapes) is becoming increasingly important for assessing quality of life and reducing noise pollution.