die
Wohngemeinschaft
🏠 What does 'die Wohngemeinschaft' mean?
The German word die Wohngemeinschaft (often shortened to die WG) refers to a form of living where several, usually unrelated or non-partnered individuals, share an apartment or house. Each resident typically has their own room, while the kitchen, bathroom, and possibly a living room are used communally.
It's a feminine noun, so the article is always die.
🚨 Be careful: Don't confuse it with a Mehrfamilienhaus (apartment building), where each party has their own separate, self-contained apartment.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ft/ -schaft → almost always feminine.
All -schaft nouns are feminine, but not all -ft nouns are.
📜 Grammar Guide: Die Wohngemeinschaft
The noun "Wohngemeinschaft" is feminine. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Wohngemeinschaft |
| Genitive | der | Wohngemeinschaft |
| Dative | der | Wohngemeinschaft |
| Accusative | die | Wohngemeinschaft |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Wohngemeinschaften |
| Genitive | der | Wohngemeinschaften |
| Dative | den | Wohngemeinschaften |
| Accusative | die | Wohngemeinschaften |
Example Sentences
- Viele Studenten leben in einer Wohngemeinschaft. (Many students live in a shared flat.)
- Die Gründung der Wohngemeinschaft war eine gute Idee. (Founding the shared flat was a good idea.)
- In der Wohngemeinschaft gibt es klare Regeln für den Putzplan. (In the shared flat, there are clear rules for the cleaning rota.)
- Wir suchen einen neuen Mitbewohner für die Wohngemeinschaft. (We are looking for a new flatmate for the shared flat.)
- In Berlin gibt es viele Wohngemeinschaften. (There are many shared flats in Berlin.)
🗣️ How 'Wohngemeinschaft' is used
The term Wohngemeinschaft or the abbreviation WG is very common in German-speaking countries, especially in the context of students, young professionals, or alternative lifestyles.
- Typical Contexts: Apartment hunting (Wohnungssuche), describing one's living situation, social interactions within the WG.
- Abbreviation: In everyday life, the abbreviation "WG" is almost always used (e.g., "Ich wohne in einer WG" - I live in a shared flat, "WG-Zimmer gesucht" - Shared flat room wanted).
- Connotation: Can evoke both positive (sociability, cost savings) and negative (conflicts, lack of privacy) associations.
- Comparison: A Studenten-WG is a specific type for students. A Senioren-WG (for seniors) is gaining importance. The opposite would be an Einzelapartment (single apartment) or an Eigenheim (own home).
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Think of "community" (Gemeinschaft). In German, many words ending in "-schaft" are feminine (die Freundschaft - friendship, die Mannschaft - team). So, it's die Wohngemeinschaft. Imagine a she-community living together.
Meaning Mnemonic: Break it down: "Wohnen" (to live/dwell) + "Gemeinschaft" (community). It's literally a "living-community". Picture a community sharing a living space (Wohn-space).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- WG (die) - Very common abbreviation.
- Hausgemeinschaft (die) - Can be similar, but often refers to a whole house community, not just one flat.
- (less common) Kommune (die) - Often implies a stronger ideological background.
⚠️ Similar but Different Terms
- Mietshaus (das): An apartment building with multiple separate rental units.
- Wohngruppe (die): Often used in the context of assisted living (e.g., for young people, people with disabilities).
😂 A Little WG Joke
Fragt ein WG-Bewohner den anderen: "Sag mal, wer hat eigentlich den Putzplan erstellt?"
Antwortet der andere: "Keine Ahnung, aber er funktioniert super als Wanddekoration!" 😂
Translation: One flatmate asks the other: "Say, who actually made the cleaning rota?"
The other replies: "No idea, but it works great as wall decoration!" 😂
✍️ Poem about the Wohngemeinschaft
In der Wohngemeinschaft, bunt und laut,
Wird mal gekocht, mal schnell verstaut.
Man teilt sich Küche, Bad und Flur,
Erlebt zusammen Abenteuer pur.
Mal Streit ums Spülen, mal Gelächter,
Das Leben hier ist selten schlechter.
Ein Kompromiss an jedem Tag,
Das ist's, was ich an der WG mag.
Translation:
In the shared flat, colorful and loud,
Sometimes cooking, sometimes quickly stowed.
Kitchen, bath, and hall are shared,
Pure adventures experienced together, uncared.
Sometimes fights over dishes, sometimes laughter bright,
Life here is rarely lacking light.
A compromise every single day,
That's what I like about the WG way.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin ein Zuhause, doch nicht nur für dich allein,
Küche und Bad teilst du hier, ob groß oder klein.
Oft von Studenten bewohnt, kurz "WG" genannt,
Gemeinsam leben, Hand in Hand.
Was bin ich?
Lösung/Solution: die Wohngemeinschaft
Translation:
I am a home, but not just for you alone,
Kitchen and bath you share here, whether large or small is shown.
Often inhabited by students, called "WG" for short,
Living together, hand in hand, a shared fort.
What am I?
🧩 Word Components & Trivia
Word Composition:
The word "Wohngemeinschaft" is a compound noun, made up of:
- Wohn(en): Relating to living somewhere, inhabiting accommodation. From the verb wohnen (to live, reside).
- Gemeinschaft: Meaning community, association, or fellowship.
Cultural Notes: Shared flats (Wohngemeinschaften or WGs) are a very established and socially accepted form of housing in Germany, especially in university towns. They became a popular alternative to traditional housing particularly from the 1960s/70s onwards.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Wohngemeinschaft?
The word "Wohngemeinschaft" is feminine, so the correct article is always die Wohngemeinschaft (plural: die Wohngemeinschaften). It refers to a shared flat or apartment where several people live together.