Diskothek
/dɪskoˈteːk/feminine
The German word for "discotheque" is Diskothek. Wiktionary also lists Disko and Disco.
Meaning: nightclub (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Diskothek | /dɪskoˈteːk/ | feminine |
| Disko | /ˈdɪsko/ | feminine |
| Disco | /ˈdɪsko/ | feminine |
| Tanzlokal | /ˈtant͡sloˌkaːl/ | neuter |
All forms refer to a nightclub or a place for dancing. To express the activity of going out to a nightclub, use the phrase in die Disco gehen.
Which one should you use?
Diskothek is the full, more formal version of the word. In everyday speech, people commonly use the shortened forms Disko or Disco. While Disko is a colloquial shortening, Disco is the most common way to refer to a nightclub in modern German and is often used interchangeably with Disko. The term Tanzlokal refers to a dance hall or dance venue, but it is dated and implies a more traditional setting than a modern nightclub.
How does it change in a sentence?
Diskothek is a feminine noun, so it takes the feminine articles die (nominative) or eine (indefinite).
How do you pronounce it?
/dɪskoˈteːk/
Did you know?
- While Diskothek means a nightclub today, the original meaning of the French root referred to a 'library' or collection of records.
- The word Lokal in the term Tanzlokal does not mean 'local' as an adjective, but is a noun meaning 'establishment' or 'venue'.
- In Germany, the word Disco is often used in the name of youth centers and community dance halls, not just high-end nightclubs.
Examples in context
- Wie findest du die Disco?How do you find the discotheque?This sentence is useful for asking someone's opinion about the Disco.Tatoeba #14024403 by Ioan_Cristian, translation #14024405 by Ioan_Cristian
- Hey, hast du Lust, heute Abend in die Disko zu gehen?Hey, do you want to go to the disco tonight?
- Lass uns am Samstag in den Club gehen, dort läuft gute Musik!Let's go to the club on Saturday, they play great music there!
- Die Diskothek war gestern sehr voll.The nightclub was very crowded yesterday.
Example conversation
Julian and Sarah are planning their evening.
- JulianWelche Diskothek besuchen wir heute Abend?Which nightclub are we visiting tonight?
- SarahIch kenne eine gute Diskothek in der Stadt.I know a good nightclub in the city.
- JulianIst die Diskothek dort teuer?Is the nightclub there expensive?
- SarahNein, der Eintritt ist dort sehr günstig.No, the admission there is very cheap.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “discotheque” translations and entries Diskothek, Disko, Disco, Tanzlokal, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Disko, Diskothek, Tanzlokal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
