die
Übernachtung
🌙 What exactly is an Übernachtung?
The German noun die Übernachtung refers to an overnight stay or accommodation for the night. It signifies the act of staying and sleeping somewhere for the duration of one night, typically away from one's own home. It can refer to the process of sleeping itself or the service booked (e.g., in a hotel).
The word is always feminine: die Übernachtung.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: The Declension of Übernachtung
As a feminine noun, "die Übernachtung" follows the regular declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in "-ung".
| Case | Article | Word |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Übernachtung |
| Genitive | der | Übernachtung |
| Dative | der | Übernachtung |
| Accusative | die | Übernachtung |
| Case | Article | Word |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Übernachtungen |
| Genitive | der | Übernachtungen |
| Dative | den | Übernachtungen |
| Accusative | die | Übernachtungen |
Example Sentences
- Wir suchen eine günstige Übernachtung in München. (We are looking for affordable accommodation in Munich.)
- Die Kosten für die Übernachtung mit Frühstück sind im Preis inbegriffen. (The costs for the overnight stay with breakfast are included in the price.)
- Nach drei Übernachtungen reisten wir weiter. (After three overnight stays, we traveled on.)
- Während der Konferenz gab es viele Übernachtungen in der Stadt. (During the conference, there were many overnight stays in the city.)
💡 How is "Übernachtung" used?
"Übernachtung" is often used in the context of travel, holidays, or business trips.
- Travel Planning: You book an Übernachtung in a hotel, guesthouse, or holiday apartment. (e.g., "Die Übernachtung kostet 80 Euro." - The overnight stay costs 80 Euros.)
- Private Stay: You might talk about an Übernachtung when staying with friends or relatives. (e.g., "Danke für die Übernachtung!" - Thanks for the overnight stay!)
- Counting Unit: Hotels often count the number of Übernachtungen (plural) of guests. (e.g., "Wir hatten letzten Monat 500 Übernachtungen." - We had 500 overnight stays last month.)
Distinction: While "der Aufenthalt" (stay) can describe a longer period (also during the day), "Übernachtung" specifically refers to staying overnight.
🧠 Mnemonics for Übernachtung
Article Mnemonic: Think of *'the night'* which is *die Nacht* in German (feminine). Since an Übernachtung involves staying *over ('über') the night*, it keeps the feminine article: die Übernachtung.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine sleeping *'over'* (über) a map depicting the *'night'* (Nacht). That's your Übernachtung – you are somewhere else for one night.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- die Unterkunft: A general term for lodging or accommodation.
- das Logis: A slightly more formal term for accommodation/overnight stay.
- das Quartier: Lodging, often implies something simpler or has military connotations.
- das Nachtlager: A simple place to sleep for the night.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- der Tagesausflug: A day trip (without an overnight stay).
- die Heimkehr: Returning home, the opposite of staying away.
⚠️ Caution: "Der Aufenthalt" (the stay) is not a direct synonym, as it can also include the daytime and doesn't necessarily involve a night.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Hotelgast an der Rezeption: "Sagen Sie mal, ist das Bettzeug frisch?"
Antwortet der Portier: "Aber sicher! Das wurde erst heute Morgen geliefert!"
"Prima, dann möchte ich bitte eine Übernachtung in einem frisch gelieferten Bett!"
Translation:
The hotel guest asks at the reception: "Tell me, are the bed linens fresh?"
The porter replies: "Of course! They were just delivered this morning!"
"Great, then I'd like an overnight stay in a freshly delivered bed!"
✍️ A Little Poem about the Night
Müde vom Reisen, spät ist die Stund',
Ein Dach überm Kopf tut jetzt kund.
Ein weiches Bett, ein ruhiger Raum,
Die Übernachtung, ein kleiner Traum.
Morgen geht's weiter, frisch und bereit,
Nach erholsamer Nacht ohne Streit.
Translation:
Tired from travel, the hour is late,
A roof overhead now tells its state.
A soft bed, a quiet room,
The overnight stay, a little dream-bloom.
Tomorrow continue, fresh and keen,
After a restful night, peaceful, serene.
❓ A Little Riddle
Ich bin kein Zuhause, doch biete ich Ruh'.
Man bucht mich für Nächte, oft ein, zwei im Nu.
Im Hotel, bei Freunden, ganz egal wo,
Ich koste mal wenig, mal richtig froh.
Was bin ich?
(...) Die Übernachtung
Translation:
I'm not a home, but I offer rest.
You book me for nights, one or two at best.
In a hotel, with friends, no matter the place,
Sometimes I cost little, sometimes a happy case.
What am I?
(...) The overnight stay (die Übernachtung)
🧩 Word Components
The word "Übernachtung" is a compound noun:
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Übernachtung?
The German word "Übernachtung" is always feminine. The correct article is die Übernachtung. It refers to the act of staying and sleeping somewhere for one night away from home.