die
Wohnungstür
🚪 What exactly is a 'Wohnungstür'?
The German word Wohnungstür (feminine noun, article: die) refers to the entrance door leading directly into an individual apartment or flat. This contrasts with die Haustür, which is the main entrance door to the entire building (e.g., an apartment block).
It represents the barrier and access point between the private living area (der private Wohnbereich) and the communal or public area (e.g., das Treppenhaus - staircase, der Flur - hallway).
🚨 Important Distinction: Don't confuse it with die Haustür (the main building entrance door) or die Zimmertür (an interior door within the apartment).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ur/-ür → mostly feminine.
Caution: -eur nouns are usually masculine (e.g. der Ingenieur).
Grammar Check: 'die Wohnungstür'
The word "Wohnungstür" is a feminine noun. Its article is die.
Declension (Deklination)
| Case | Article | Noun | (English Equivalent) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Wohnungstür | (the apartment door) |
| Accusative | die | Wohnungstür | (the apartment door) |
| Dative | der | Wohnungstür | (to/for the apartment door) |
| Genitive | der | Wohnungstür | (of the apartment door) |
| Case | Article | Noun | (English Equivalent) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Wohnungstüren | (the apartment doors) |
| Accusative | die | Wohnungstüren | (the apartment doors) |
| Dative | den | Wohnungstüren | (to/for the apartment doors) |
| Genitive | der | Wohnungstüren | (of the apartment doors) |
Example Sentences (Beispielsätze)
- Bitte schließ die Wohnungstür leise ab.
(Please lock the apartment door quietly.) (Accusative Singular) - Der Schlüssel steckt von innen in der Wohnungstür.
(The key is in the apartment door from the inside.) (Dative Singular) - Das Schloss der Wohnungstür ist kaputt.
(The lock of the apartment door is broken.) (Genitive Singular) - In diesem Gang gibt es viele Wohnungstüren.
(There are many apartment doors in this hallway.) (Nominative Plural) - Er klopfte an alle Wohnungstüren in der Etage.
(He knocked on all the apartment doors on the floor.) (Accusative Plural)
Everyday Usage of 'Wohnungstür'
The word Wohnungstür is used in everyday German conversation when specifically referring to the entrance of an individual dwelling unit.
- Context: You might talk about security (die Wohnungstür abschließen - locking the apartment door), renovation (die Wohnungstür streichen - painting the apartment door), arrival/departure (vor der Wohnungstür warten - waiting in front of the apartment door), or problems (die Wohnungstür klemmt - the apartment door is stuck).
- Distinction: It's crucial to differentiate it from die Haustür (entrance to the whole building) and die Zimmertür (door to a room inside the apartment). Example: "Ich habe zwar den Haustürschlüssel, aber nicht den für meine Wohnungstür." (I have the building key, but not the one for my apartment door.)
- Typical Verbs: abschließen (to lock), aufschließen (to unlock), öffnen (to open), schließen (to close), klopfen an (to knock on), klingeln an (to ring at), streichen (to paint), reparieren (to repair).
How to Remember 'die Wohnungstür'
Article Mnemonic 🧠
Many 'door' words in German are feminine ('die'). Think of die Tür (the door), die Haustür (the main door), and thus also die Wohnungstür. Also, the first part, die Wohnung (the apartment), is feminine. A door for 'die Wohnung' is die Wohnungstür.
Meaning Mnemonic 🔑
Imagine you're standing at your Wohnung (apartment) needing the key for die Tür (the door). That specific door is your Wohnungstür – the gateway to your private space.
Word Relationships: Similar & Opposite
Synonyms
- Eingangstür (zur Wohnung): (Entrance door (to the apartment)) - More precise, emphasizes function.
- Apartmenttür: (Apartment door) - Slightly more modern term, often used for smaller flats.
Antonyms
- Haustür: (Main building door) - Door to the entire building.
- Zimmertür: (Room door) - Door inside the apartment.
- Balkontür/Terrassentür: (Balcony/Patio door) - Door leading outside to a balcony or terrace.
- Fenster: (Window) - Not a door, but also an opening.
Similar, but different words
⚠️ Be careful not to confuse die Wohnungstür with der Türrahmen (the door frame) or das Türschloss (the door lock mechanism).
A Little Joke 😂
DE: Warum hat der Mann versucht, durch die Wohnungstür zu mailen?
Er wollte eine E-Mail-Adresse!
EN: Why did the man try to mail something through the apartment door?
He wanted an 'E-Mail-Adresse' (e-mail address - sounds a bit like 'address on the door' if you stretch it)! 😉 (Okay, it's a weak pun, but related to doors!)
Poem about the 'Wohnungstür'
DE:
Die Wohnungstür, so fest und schlicht,
Verbirgt das Heim, hält dicht, hält dicht.
Ein Schlüssel passt, dreht sich im Schloss,
Willkommen drinnen, weg vom Tross.
Sie schützt vor Wind und fremdem Blick,
Ist Teil vom ganz persönlichen Glück.
Ob Holz, ob Stahl, ob alt, ob neu,
Die Wohnungstür bleibt immer treu.
EN:
The apartment door, so firm and plain,
Hides the home, keeps out the rain.
A key fits in, turns in the lock,
Welcome inside, away from the flock.
It shields from wind and prying eyes,
A part of personal enterprise.
Be it wood or steel, or old or new,
The apartment door remains steadfast and true.
Little Riddle 🤔
DE:
Ich habe einen Rahmen, doch kein Bild.
Ich habe einen Griff, doch keine Hand.
Ich trenne Flur und dein privates Feld.
Wer bin ich, in diesem Haus bekannt?
Lösung: Die Wohnungstür
EN:
I have a frame, but hold no picture.
I have a handle, but no hand.
I separate the hallway and your private fixture.
Who am I, known throughout the land (of this building)?
Solution: Die Wohnungstür (The apartment door)
Interesting Facts about 'Wohnungstür'
Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung)
The word "Wohnungstür" is a compound noun (Kompositum), made up of:
- die Wohnung: (the apartment/flat) - The place where one lives.
- -s-: A linking element (Fugenlaut), often used in German compound words, connecting 'Wohnung' and 'Tür'.
- die Tür: (the door) - The movable barrier that closes an opening.
Together, the meaning is: the door belonging to or leading into the apartment.
Cultural Aspects (Kulturelle Aspekte)
The design and security features of apartment doors can vary depending on culture and region. In Germany, there is often an emphasis on robust and secure doors (robuste und sichere Türen).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Wohnungstür?
The German word for apartment door is die Wohnungstür. It is a feminine noun. The plural is die Wohnungstüren. It refers to the main entrance door of an individual apartment or flat.