Bank
/baŋk/feminine
The German word for bench is Bank. Wiktionary also lists Sitzbank.
Meaning: long seat (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Bank | /baŋk/ | feminine |
| Sitzbank | feminine |
A bench is a long seat. You may use the more specific term Gartenbank when referring specifically to a garden bench.
Which one should you use?
The word Bank is the common term for a bench, but it is also the word for a financial institution. To avoid this ambiguity, you can use the compound word Sitzbank, which literally means a 'sitting bench'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of Bank when referring to a bench is Bänke. Note that when referring to a financial institution, the plural is Banken.
How do you pronounce it?
/baŋk/
Did you know?
- The German word Bank for a financial institution actually comes from the word for 'bench'. In the Middle Ages, money changers conducted their business from a wooden bench in the marketplace.
- In German, the term Bank is used for both a park bench and a sandbank in the ocean. Both meanings refer to a long, raised elevation.
- In a German courtroom, the Richterbank is the bench where the judge sits. This usage emphasizes the authority and elevation of the position.
Examples in context
- Tom saß auf der Bank.Tom sat on the bench.This sentence is useful for seeing the word Bank used in the past tense.Tatoeba #7636040 by wolfgangth, translation #6274132 by CK
- Er sitzt auf der Bank.He's sitting on the bench.This sentence shows the word Bank used in the present tense.Tatoeba #8639216 by Melang, translation #2694205 by WestofEden
- Sie saß auf einer Bank.She sat on a bench.This sentence shows the word Bank used with an indefinite article.Tatoeba #1052023 by Esperantostern, translation #5700116 by abyssalalice
- Bitte nehmen Sie Platz auf der Bank.Please have a seat on the bench.
- Die Sitzbank im Park ist sehr bequem.The bench in the park is very comfortable.
- Bringst du die Bank zum Grillfest mit?Are you bringing the bench to the barbecue party?
- Komm, setz dich auf das Bänkchen neben mir.Come, sit on the little bench next to me.
- Die Gartenbank bietet einen schönen Blick auf die Blumen.The garden bench offers a beautiful view of the flowers.
- 111 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Julian are walking in a park.
- HannahSchau mal, dort ist eine freie Bank!Look, there is a free bench over there!
- JulianKönnen wir uns kurz dort ausruhen?Can we rest there for a moment?
- HannahJa, die Bank sieht sehr bequem aus.Yes, the bench looks very comfortable.
- JulianDas ist eine gute Idee, Julian.That is a good idea, Julian.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bench” translations and entries Bank, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Bank, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
