A German flat advertised as a 2-Zimmer-Wohnung has a living room, a bedroom, a kitchen and a bathroom. Only the first two count. Kitchens, bathrooms and hallways aren't "rooms" in a German listing.
The words for rooms and furniture are easy. What takes getting used to is how German flats are described, and what's often missing when you get the keys — sometimes including the kitchen itself.
Rooms
flat
die Wohnung
house
das Haus
room
das Zimmer
living room
das Wohnzimmer
bedroom
das Schlafzimmer
children's room
das Kinderzimmer
kitchen
die Küche
bathroom
das Badezimmer
toilet
die Toilette
hallway
der Flur
cellar
der Keller
attic
der Dachboden
balcony
der Balkon
stairwell
das Treppenhaus
garden
der Garten
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die Wohnung
Quick notes:
- Das Bad is the everyday short form of Badezimmer. A separate toilet is often called das Gäste-WC.
- Most flats in apartment buildings come with a Keller, a lockable storage compartment in the basement. It's where bicycles, drinks crates and suitcases live.
Furniture
table
der Tisch
chair
der Stuhl
sofa
das Sofa
armchair
der Sessel
bed
das Bett
mattress
die Matratze
wardrobe
der Kleiderschrank
cupboard
der Schrank
shelf
das Regal
chest of drawers
die Kommode
desk
der Schreibtisch
lamp
die Lampe
carpet, rug
der Teppich
mirror
der Spiegel
curtain
der Vorhang
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der Tisch
Quick note: German flats almost never have built-in wardrobes. A Kleiderschrank is a piece of furniture you buy, assemble and take with you when you leave.
Kitchen and Bathroom
fridge
der Kühlschrank
cooker
der Herd
oven
der Backofen
dishwasher
die Spülmaschine
washing machine
die Waschmaschine
microwave
die Mikrowelle
sink (kitchen)
die Spüle
washbasin
das Waschbecken
shower
die Dusche
bathtub
die Badewanne
tap
der Wasserhahn
heating, radiator
die Heizung
socket
die Steckdose
light switch
der Lichtschalter
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der Kühlschrank
Quick note: the washing machine is often in the bathroom or the kitchen, and in older buildings in a shared Waschküche in the basement with a rota.
Reading a Flat Listing
| Abbreviation | German | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
2 ZKB | 2 Zimmer, Küche, Bad | two rooms plus kitchen and bathroom |
EBK | Einbauküche | fitted kitchen included |
EG | Erdgeschoss | ground floor |
| erstes Obergeschoss | first floor above ground |
DG | Dachgeschoss | top floor, under the roof |
qm / m² | Quadratmeter | square metres |
Blk. | Balkon | balcony |
Altbau | — | older building, high ceilings |
Neubau | — | newer building |
Quick notes:
- Erdgeschoss is the ground floor. The erster Stock is one flight up — what Americans would call the second floor.
- If a listing doesn't say EBK, assume there is no kitchen: no units, no cooker, sometimes no sink. Tenants in Germany often buy a kitchen, install it, and sell it to the next tenant when they leave.
- Light fittings are usually missing as well. New tenants are greeted by bare wires hanging from the ceiling, and bring their own lamps.
When Something Isn't Working
The heating isn't working.
Die Heizung funktioniert nicht.
The tap is dripping.
Der Wasserhahn tropft.
The toilet is blocked.
Die Toilette ist verstopft.
There is no hot water.
Es gibt kein warmes Wasser.
The light is broken.
Das Licht ist kaputt.
There is mould on the wall.
An der Wand ist Schimmel.
Where is the fuse box?
Wo ist der Sicherungskasten?
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Die Heizung funktioniert nicht.
Quick note: report problems to the landlord or the Hausverwaltung in writing. An email with a photo and the date is the normal way to do it.
Living in a German Flat
Stoßlüften. German buildings are well sealed, and tenants are expected to air them properly: windows wide open for five to ten minutes, several times a day, even in winter. It's called Stoßlüften, it's often written into the tenancy agreement, and it's the standard defence against mould.
The floor numbering. If someone says they live im dritten Stock, count three flights of stairs above the ground floor. Buildings without lifts are common, and this matters when you're carrying a washing machine.
The Hausordnung. Every building has house rules covering quiet hours, the stairwell, bins and the laundry room. They're real and neighbours expect them to be followed.