Terrasse
/tɛˈʁasə/feminine
The German word for patio is Terrasse.
Terrasse refers to a paved outside area, adjoining a house, used for dining or recreation.
Meaning: a paved outside area, adjoining a house, used for dining or recreation (noun)
Which one should you use?
While English distinguishes between a 'patio' (often ground-level/paved) and a 'terrace' (often raised), German frequently uses Terrasse to cover both concepts.
How does it change in a sentence?
Terrasse is a feminine noun. The noun is feminine, so it takes the feminine article 'die' in the nominative case. When expressing being located 'on' the patio, the dative case is used, changing the article to 'der'.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɛˈʁasə/
Did you know?
- In German, Terrasse can also refer to a row of houses built on a slope, resembling a staircase of buildings.
- The German Terrasse is a direct linguistic relative of the French 'terrasse', making it a formal loanword rather than a Germanic creation.
- If a patio is small and wooden, Germans might call it a Deck, borrowing the English word specifically for nautical-style wooden platforms.
Examples in context
- Such mich morgen früh auf! Ich werde in einem Hawaiihemd auf der Terrasse des Cafés sitzen und Zeitung lesen.Find me tomorrow morning. I'll be sitting on the café patio reading a newspaper and wearing a Hawaiian shirt.This sentence is useful for seeing how to describe being located on the Terrasse.Tatoeba #13422241 by Waldelfe, translation #13408554 by frpzzd
- Das Restaurant hat eine große Terrasse mit Blick auf den See.The restaurant has a large patio overlooking the lake.
- Das Hotel bietet sowohl eine Innen- als auch eine Außenterrasse für die Gäste.The hotel offers both an indoor and an outdoor patio for its guests.
- Lass uns draußen im Hof sitzen und das schöne Wetter genießen.Let's sit outside in the patio and enjoy the nice weather.
- Wir haben uns ein gemütliches Sofa auf den Balkon gestellt.We placed a cozy sofa on the patio/balcony.
- Wir essen heute auf der Terrasse.We are eating on the patio today.
- Die Terrasse ist sehr groß und sonnig.The patio is very large and sunny.
Example conversation
Hannah and Felix are deciding where to sit.
- HannahWollen wir draußen auf der Terrasse sitzen?Do we want to sit outside on the patio?
- FelixJa, das Wetter ist heute wirklich schön.Yes, the weather is really nice today.
- HannahIch hole schnell die Gläser von der Terrasse.I'll quickly get the glasses from the patio.
- FelixDanke, Hannah, das ist sehr nett von dir.Thanks, Hannah, that is very kind of you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “patio” translations and entries Terrasse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Terrasse, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
