die  Nachbarschaft

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈnaːxbaːʁʃaft/

🏘️ What does 'die Nachbarschaft' mean?

Die Nachbarschaft (feminine) describes two main concepts:

1. The geographical area: The immediate surroundings of a place of residence; the district or area where one lives. It refers to the houses, streets, and squares nearby.
2. The social relations: The entirety of the neighbors and the social relationship between them. It's about coexistence, the relationships and interactions of people living close to each other.

It's a word that encompasses both the physical space and the human community within it.

Article rules for der, die, and das

The Grammar Lens: Declension of Nachbarschaft

The word 'Nachbarschaft' is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always die.

Declension (Singular):

Declension (Plural):

The plural 'die Nachbarschaften' is rather rare and is used when referring to multiple distinct neighborhood communities or areas.

📝 Example Sentences:

• Nominative: Die Nachbarschaft ist sehr ruhig.
  (The neighborhood is very quiet.)
• Genitive: Der gute Ruf der Nachbarschaft lockt viele Familien an.
  (The neighborhood's good reputation attracts many families.)
• Dative: Wir helfen uns oft in der Nachbarschaft.
  (We often help each other in the neighborhood.)
• Accusative: Ich liebe die Nachbarschaft, in der ich aufgewachsen bin.
  (I love the neighborhood where I grew up.)
• Plural: In Großstädten gibt es viele verschiedene Nachbarschaften.
  (In big cities, there are many different neighborhoods.)

🗣️ How 'Nachbarschaft' is used

'Die Nachbarschaft' is often used to talk about the local environment and the social connections within it.

• Geographically: "Er wohnt in einer netten Nachbarschaft am Stadtrand." (He lives in a nice neighborhood on the outskirts of the city.)
• Socially: "In unserer Nachbarschaft herrscht ein guter Zusammenhalt." (There is good cohesion in our neighborhood.)
• Figuratively/Abstractly: Sometimes it's used more broadly to express proximity or approximation, e.g., "in der Nachbarschaft von 100 Euro" (around 100 Euros / in the vicinity of 100 Euros).

Typical phrases:

• Gute Nachbarschaft: Good relations between neighbors.
• Nachbarschaftshilfe: Mutual support among neighbors (neighborhood help).

Distinction: While 'Umgebung' (surroundings) describes the spatial area more neutrally, 'Nachbarschaft' often carries the social component. 'Viertel' (quarter) or 'Bezirk' (district) are often larger or administratively defined units.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in -schaft are almost always feminine (die). Think of die Freundschaft (friendship), die Gesellschaft (society), die Wissenschaft (science)... and therefore die Nachbarschaft!

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a ship (like in Nachbarschaft) where all the neighbors live close together – it symbolizes the community (the people) and the area they share (the place). Or think of the English word neighborhood - the concept is very similar.

🔄 Synonyms, Antonyms & Similar Words

⚠️ Similar, but different words:

• Nachbar/Nachbarin: (Neighbor - male/female) The individual people living nearby. Nachbarschaft is the collective or the place.
• Gemeinde: (Municipality/Community) Often an administrative unit, larger than a neighborhood.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Nachbar den anderen: "Entschuldigen Sie, könnten Sie mir vielleicht Ihren Rasenmäher leihen?"
Sagt der andere: "Im Prinzip ja, aber bitte nur auf Ihrem eigenen Grundstück!"

Translation:
One neighbor asks the other: "Excuse me, could I possibly borrow your lawnmower?"
The other says: "In principle, yes, but please only on your own property!"

📜 Poem about the Neighborhood

Wo Haus an Haus sich reiht,
im Kleinen und im Weit,
wo man sich kennt und grüßt,
das Leben gern genießt.

Mal hilft man hier, mal dort,
ein freundliches, leis' Wort.
Das ist die Nachbarschaft,
mit Freud und Lebenskraft.

Translation:
Where house lines up with house,
In small scale and in wide,
Where people know and greet,
Enjoying life is sweet.

Sometimes help is here, sometimes there,
A friendly, quiet word to share.
That is the neighborhood,
With joy and livelihood.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Ort, doch auch die Leut',
die nah beisammen wohnen heut'.
Man kennt sich, hilft sich, manchmal Streit,
doch meistens herrscht Gemeinsamkeit.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I am a place, but also the folk,
Who live close together today, no joke.
People know each other, help, sometimes fight,
But mostly togetherness feels right.

What am I?
→ Die Nachbarschaft (The Neighborhood)

💡 Other Interesting Information

Word Composition:

Nachbarschaft is composed of:

• Nachbar: (Neighbor) Person living nearby (from Old High German nahgibur = near farmer/dweller).
• -schaft: A suffix denoting a community, state, or quality (as in Freundschaft - friendship, Wissenschaft - science).

Cultural Note: The importance of the Nachbarschaft can vary culturally. In some areas, it's very close-knit and communal, while in others, it's more anonymous. Events like a 'Nachbarschaftsfest' (neighborhood festival) or initiatives like 'Nachbarschaftshilfe' (neighborhood help) aim to foster community spirit.