Hängematte
/ˈhɛŋəˌmatə/feminine
The German word for hammock is Hängematte.
The word Hängematte refers to a swinging couch or bed.
Meaning: swinging couch or bed (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of hängen (to hang) and Matte (mat).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Rhineland region of Germany, the word Tuch is a regional variation for hammock.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is feminine, so it takes the article die in the nominative case. When using the preposition in to indicate location (the dative case), the indefinite article becomes einer as in einer Hängematte.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈhɛŋəˌmatə/
Did you know?
- While 'hanging mat' is the literal logic, the word's ancestor is the Caribbean Taíno word 'hamaka'.
- Unlike in some tropical cultures where hammocks are permanent beds, in Germany they are primarily associated with 'Gartenkultur' or garden leisure.
Examples in context
- Tom schlief in einer Hängematte.Tom slept in a hammock.Tatoeba #5810699 by brauchinet, translation #5810698 by Hybrid
- Sie lag stundenlang in der Hängematte.She lay in the hammock for hours.Tatoeba #3947862 by Dani6187, translation #3946312 by Joseph
- Sie hat viele Stunden, in der Hängematte liegend, vertrödelt.She idled away many hours lying in the hammock.Tatoeba #11550735 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #312015 by sundown
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Julia are planning their holiday in the garden.
- FelixSoll ich eine Hängematte kaufen?Should I buy a hammock?
- JuliaJa, das wäre toll!Yes, that would be great!
- FelixDann bestellen wir die Hängematte heute.Then we will order the hammock today.
- JuliaIch freue mich darauf.I am looking forward to it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hammock” translations and entries Hängematte, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Hängematte, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
