Stadtrand
/ˈʃtatˌʁant/masculine
The English word outskirts is translated into German as Stadtrand.
Stadtrand refers to the edges or areas surrounding a city or town. You can also use the phrase Am Rande der Stadt to mean 'On the edge of the city', or In der Nähe der Stadtgrenze to mean 'Near the city limits'.
Meaning: the edges or areas around a city or town (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
Stadtrand is a compound noun made of Stadt (city) and Rand (edge or rim).
How does it change in a sentence?
To express being 'on the outskirts', use the prepositional phrase am Stadtrand, which is a contraction of an dem Stadtrand.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʃtatˌʁant/
Did you know?
- The word Rand in Stadtrand is also used in German to describe the 'crust' of a pizza or the 'rim' of a glass.
- While Stadtrand describes the geographic edge, Germans often use the word Vorstadt to describe the suburban lifestyle and residential areas outside the center.
- The word Rand shares an etymological root with the English word 'rim', both referring to the outer edge of a circular object.
Examples in context
- Ich parke immer am Stadtrand.I always park on the outskirts of town.This sentence shows how to use Stadtrand to indicate a location for parking.Tatoeba #7193635 by Luiaard, translation #7193634 by Luiaard
- Die Kirche steht am Stadtrand.The church sits on the outskirts of town.This sentence uses Stadtrand to describe the location of a building.Tatoeba #645111 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #19080 by fishda
- Wir kehrten in einen Pub am Stadtrand ein.We stopped at a pub on the outskirts of town.This sentence shows how to use Stadtrand when describing a place where someone stopped for a visit.Tatoeba #11542244 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #11406457 by sundown
- In Berlin liegt mein Haus am Stadtrand.In Berlin, my house is located on the outskirts.
- Die neue Autobahn verbindet das Stadtzentrum mit den Außenbezirken.The new highway connects the city center with the outskirts.
- Ich wohne in den Vororten von München.I live in the suburbs of Munich.
- Wir gehen oft in den Randbereichen spazieren.We often go for walks in the outskirts.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Maximilian are discussing where to live.
- LauraIch möchte nicht im Zentrum wohnen.I don't want to live in the center.
- MaximilianWie wäre es mit einem Haus am Stadtrand?How about a house on the outskirts of town?
- LauraDas klingt gut, da ist es ruhiger.That sounds good, it is quieter there.
- MaximilianWir können morgen dort suchen.We can look there tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “outskirts” translations and entries Stadtrand, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Stadtrand, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
