die
Wohnanlage
🏢 What exactly is a Wohnanlage?
The German noun die Wohnanlage (feminine, plural: die Wohnanlagen) refers to a housing complex or residential complex. It typically describes a group of several residential buildings that often belong together architecturally and may share common facilities or open spaces. It's a planned group of houses or apartment blocks designed as a unit.
- Often equipped with green spaces, playgrounds, or underground parking.
- Can include both rental and owner-occupied apartments (Miet- und Eigentumswohnungen).
- Is generally larger than a single apartment building (Mehrfamilienhaus).
⚠️ Don't confuse it with a single Wohnhaus (residential building) or Wohnblock (apartment block), although a Wohnanlage can consist of several of these.
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 of die Wohnanlage in Detail
The word Wohnanlage is a feminine noun. The definite article is die.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Wohnanlage |
| Genitive | der | Wohnanlage |
| Dative | der | Wohnanlage |
| Accusative | die | Wohnanlage |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Wohnanlagen |
| Genitive | der | Wohnanlagen |
| Dative | den | Wohnanlagen |
| Accusative | die | Wohnanlagen |
Example Sentences
- Die neue Wohnanlage am Stadtrand bietet modernen Wohnkomfort.
The new housing complex on the outskirts of town offers modern living comfort. - Die Verwaltung der Wohnanlage kümmert sich um die Instandhaltung.
The administration of the housing complex takes care of the maintenance. - In der Wohnanlage gibt es auch einen Gemeinschaftsraum.
In the housing complex, there is also a common room. - Wir besichtigen morgen die Wohnanlage.
We will visit the housing complex tomorrow.
💬 How to use "Wohnanlage"?
The term Wohnanlage is used to describe a larger complex of residential buildings. It often emphasizes the planned character and coherent structure.
- Context: Real estate listings (Immobilienanzeigen), urban planning (Stadtplanung), architecture, everyday descriptions of places to live.
- Distinction from similar terms:
- Siedlung (settlement, housing estate): Often developed historically or larger and less homogeneous than a Wohnanlage.
- Wohnblock (apartment block): Usually a single, large, often elongated residential building. A Wohnanlage can comprise several Wohnblöcke.
- Mehrfamilienhaus (multi-family house): A single building with multiple housing units.
- Typical phrases: "in einer Wohnanlage leben" (to live in a housing complex), "eine moderne Wohnanlage" (a modern housing complex), "die Verwaltung der Wohnanlage" (the administration of the housing complex).
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Think of the ending "-age" in Anlage. Many German nouns ending in "-age" are feminine (die Garage, die Etage, die Passage). So, it's die Anlage, therefore die Wohnanlage.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you wohnen (live) in a large Anlage (complex, facility) with many houses and gardens – that's a Wohnanlage (housing complex).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Wohnkomplex: Very similar, also emphasizes size and structure.
- Siedlung: (Settlement, housing estate) Can be similar, but often more extensive or historically developed.
- Wohnpark: (Residential park) Similar, often emphasizes generous green spaces.
- Überbauung (Swiss): Swiss German term for a complex of buildings.
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Einfamilienhaus: Single-family house.
- Einzelhaus: Detached house.
- Hütte: Hut, cabin (a very small, simple house).
Watch out for similar words:
- Gewerbeanlage: A complex for commercial purposes, not for living.
- Parkanlage: A public park, not a residential complex.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum ziehen Ameisen nie in eine teure Wohnanlage?
Weil sie lieber zur Miete wohnen! 😉
Why do ants never move into an expensive housing complex?
Because they prefer to live 'zur Miete' (for rent / a play on words, as 'Miete' sounds like 'Milbe' - mite)!
✍️ A Little Poem
Stein auf Stein, Haus an Haus,
so sieht die Wohnanlage aus.
Mit Balkonen, grünem Gras,
bietet sie vielen Menschen Platz.
Mal modern, mal etwas alt,
Zuhause gibt sie, Wärme, Halt.
Stone on stone, house by house,
that's what the housing complex looks like.
With balconies, green grass,
it offers space for many people.
Sometimes modern, sometimes a bit old,
it gives home, warmth, support.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin kein einzelnes Haus, doch wohnen kann man hier.
Ich bestehe aus vielen Bauten, mit Garten vor der Tür.
Mal hab ich einen Spielplatz, mal Garagen tief,
als Komplex geplant, nicht irgendwie schief.
Was bin ich?
(Lösung: die Wohnanlage)
I'm not a single house, but you can live here.
I consist of many buildings, with a garden at the door.
Sometimes I have a playground, sometimes deep garages,
Planned as a complex, not somehow crooked.
What am I?
(Answer: die Wohnanlage / the housing complex)
🧩 Word Puzzle: Composition
The word "Wohnanlage" is a compound noun (Kompositum):
- Wohn-: Stem of the verb "wohnen" (to live/reside) or the noun "die Wohnung" (apartment/flat).
- Anlage: Means here a facility, complex, structure, or installation.
Together, the meaning is: a complex (Anlage) for living (Wohn-).
Trivia: Wohnanlagen can vary greatly in design, from simple prefabricated buildings (Plattenbauten) to luxurious apartment complexes with concierge services.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Wohnanlage?
The noun "Wohnanlage" is feminine. The correct article is die. So, you say die Wohnanlage (Nominative/Accusative Singular), der Wohnanlage (Genitive/Dative Singular), and die Wohnanlagen (Plural).