die
Liegewiese
🤔 What exactly is a 'Liegewiese'?
A Liegewiese is a designated grassy area where people can lie down to relax, sunbathe, play, or have a picnic. You often find them in public parks, outdoor swimming pools (Freibäder), by lakes, or sometimes in private gardens.
The article is always die, because the base word 'Wiese' (meadow/lawn) is feminine: die Liegewiese.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
🧐 Grammar & Declension of 'die Liegewiese'
The noun 'Liegewiese' is feminine. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Liegewiese |
| Genitive | der | Liegewiese |
| Dative | der | Liegewiese |
| Accusative | die | Liegewiese |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Liegewiesen |
| Genitive | der | Liegewiesen |
| Dative | den | Liegewiesen |
| Accusative | die | Liegewiesen |
Example Sentences
- Im Sommer ist die Liegewiese im Park immer voll. (In summer, the lawn for lounging in the park is always full.)
- Wir breiteten unsere Decke auf der Liegewiese aus. (We spread our blanket on the lounging lawn.)
- Kinder spielen gerne auf den Liegewiesen am See. (Children enjoy playing on the lounging lawns by the lake.)
- Das Freibad verfügt über mehrere große Liegewiesen. (The outdoor pool has several large lawns for lounging.)
☀️ When to use 'Liegewiese'?
The term Liegewiese is used to describe a grassy area specifically intended for resting and spending time. It differs from a purely ornamental lawn (Zierrasen), which often should not be walked on.
- Typical places: Freibad (outdoor pool), park, lake shore, campsite, hotel garden.
- Typical activities: Sunbathing (Sonnenbaden), reading, picnicking, relaxed games (e.g., badminton), dozing.
- Differentiation: A general 'Rasen' (lawn) isn't necessarily meant for lying on. A 'Wiese' (meadow) can also be used for agriculture or be wild. The Liegewiese emphasizes the function of lying down and relaxing.
💡 Mnemonics for 'Liegewiese'
Article mnemonic: Think of 'die Wiese' (the meadow/lawn). The base word 'Wiese' is feminine, so die Liegewiese is also feminine.
Meaning mnemonic: Imagine comfortably lying ('liegen') on a meadow/lawn ('Wiese'). Liegen + Wiese = Liegewiese. The place where you lie down!
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Sonnenwiese: Lawn specifically for sunbathing.
- Rasenfläche: Lawn area (more general, but often used synonymously).
- Grünfläche: Green space (very general).
- Picknickwiese: Picnic lawn.
⚠️ Caution: Not every 'Rasen' (lawn) is a 'Liegewiese'. A 'Liegewiese' is specifically intended for recreation and lounging.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum nehmen Ameisen nie ein Sonnenbad auf der Liegewiese?
Weil sie Angst haben, von den Grashalmen gekitzelt zu werden! 😂
(Why do ants never sunbathe on the lounging lawn?
Because they're afraid of being tickled by the blades of grass!)
✍️ Poem about the 'Liegewiese'
Grünes Meer, so weich und breit,
Die Liegewiese, schönste Zeit.
Die Sonne scheint, der Himmel klar,
Entspannung pur, Jahr für Jahr.
Man liegt und träumt, vergisst die Hast,
Auf dieser Wiese, ohne Last.
(Green sea, so soft and wide,
The lounging lawn, best time inside.
The sun does shine, the sky is clear,
Pure relaxation, year by year.
One lies and dreams, forgets the rush,
On this lawn, without a crush.)
❓ Little Riddle
Ich bin grün und lade ein,
im Sommer drauf zu liegen fein.
Im Park, am See, im Bad bin ich zu Haus,
breite deine Decke aus!
Was bin ich?
(I am green and invite you,
to lie on me in summer, it's true.
In the park, by the lake, at the pool I reside,
spread your blanket far and wide!
What am I?)
(Answer: die Liegewiese)
🧩 Word Composition & Trivia
The word "Liegewiese" is a compound noun, composed of:
- liegen: the verb 'to lie down', to rest horizontally.
- die Wiese: the noun 'meadow' or 'lawn'.
Together, it literally means a "lawn for lying down". Simple and descriptive! In many German outdoor swimming pools (Freibäder), the Liegewiesen are often the central feature besides the pools themselves.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Liegewiese?
The word "Liegewiese" is feminine. The correct article is always die. So it's die Liegewiese (nominative singular) and die Liegewiesen (nominative plural).