die  Parkbank

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/paʁkˈbaŋk/

🌳 What exactly is a Parkbank?

A Parkbank is simply a park bench. It's a seat, typically made of wood or metal, designed for several people and usually placed in public outdoor areas like parks, gardens, or along walkways.

The word is feminine in German, so the definite article is always die: die Parkbank (the park bench). There's only this one gender and meaning for this noun. It's a compound noun formed from 'Park' (park) and 'Bank' (bench).

📚 Grammar Deep Dive: Declining 'die Parkbank'

The noun 'Parkbank' is feminine. This means you use feminine articles and adjective endings. Here are the declension tables showing its forms in the four German cases (Kasus):

Example Sentences

1. Die alte Parkbank unter der Eiche lädt zum Verweilen ein.
   (The old park bench under the oak invites you to linger.)
2. Wir setzten uns auf die nächstbeste Parkbank, um die Aussicht zu genießen.
   (We sat down on the nearest park bench to enjoy the view.)
3. Der Name des Spenders ist auf einer Plakette an der Parkbank angebracht.
   (The donor's name is attached to the park bench on a plaque.)
4. Die Stadt hat viele neue Parkbänke (Plural) im Zentrum aufgestellt.
   (The city has installed many new park benches in the center.)

💡 How to Use 'Parkbank'

The term Parkbank is used quite literally to refer to the physical object – a bench in a park or similar public outdoor setting. You'll typically encounter it in contexts relating to:

• Public parks and green spaces (öffentliche Parks und Grünanlagen)
• Promenades and walking paths (Promenaden und Spazierwege)
• Playgrounds (Spielplätze) – often for parents to sit on
• Gardens and sometimes cemeteries (Gärten und Friedhöfe)

It often symbolizes rest, relaxation, and social interaction in public spaces. While it could be used metaphorically for taking a break in life, this is less common.

There's little risk of confusion. While 'Bank' alone can also mean 'bank' (the financial institution), the compound word 'Parkbank' clearly refers to the bench.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: Think of the word Bank in German ('die Bank'). Even when it's in a Park, it keeps its feminine identity – so it's die Parkbank.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine relaxing in a Park. Where do you sit? On a Bank (bench). Put them together: Parkbank.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Note: The word 'Bank' by itself can also mean 'die Bank' (financial institution) or 'die Sandbank' (sandbank). However, the context provided by 'Park' in 'Parkbank' makes the meaning unambiguous.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Skelette keine Pausen auf der Parkbank?

(Why don't skeletons take breaks on the park bench?)

Weil sie keine Muskeln zum Entspannen haben!

(Because they don't have any muscles to relax!) 😄

✒️ Poem about a Park Bench

Im grünen Park, am Wegesrand,
(In the green park, by the path's edge,)
steht sie bereit, von Hand zu Hand
(it stands ready, from hand to hand)
geschaffen einst, aus Holz und Stahl,
(once created, from wood and steel,)
die Parkbank, still und manchmal kahl.

Sie sieht die Kinder fröhlich springen,
(It sees the children jump joyfully,)
hört Liebespaare leise singen,
(hears lovers softly sing,)
trägt Alte, die in Ruh' verweilen,
(carries the old, who linger in peace,)
und lässt die Zeit ganz sanft enteilen.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich steh im Grünen, lade ein zum Sitzen,
(I stand in the green, invite you to sit,)
doch hab kein Haus, muss Wind und Wetter spitzen.
(but have no house, must face wind and weather.)
Ich biete Ruhe, mitten im Gewühl,
(I offer peace, amidst the bustle,)
wer bin ich, dieses Freiluft-Stühl?

Solution: Die Parkbank (The park bench)

🧩 Other Interesting Details

Word Composition:

The word 'Parkbank' is a compound noun (Kompositum), formed from:

• der Park: (the) park - a public green space for recreation.
• die Bank: (the) bench - a seat for several people (in this context).

In German compound nouns, the gender is determined by the last word (the 'Grundwort'). Since 'Bank' is feminine (die), the compound word 'Parkbank' is also feminine: die Parkbank.

Trivia: Park benches are sometimes sponsored ('Bankpatenschaft'), with donors getting a small plaque on 'their' bench. They can also be part of public art installations.