Raum
/ʁaʊ̯m/
The English word 'space' translates to German as Raum.
Raum refers to a physical, three-dimensional volume or an abstract area, such as a gap or an empty place. Other related terms include der Freiraum, which refers to freedom or available room to maneuver and der Weltraum, which specifically means 'outer space'.
Meaning: a gap, an empty place (noun)
Which one should you use?
While Raum describes a three-dimensional volume or an abstract area, use Platz when referring to available room for a person or an object, such as asking if there is enough room to sit. For the astronomical 'outer space', use the compound word Weltraum instead of Raum.
How does it change in a sentence?
Raum is a masculine noun. In the nominative case, it uses the article der and in the accusative case, it becomes den. For the genitive case, you can use either des Raumes or des Raums.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʁaʊ̯m/
When do people say it?
If you want to ask someone to make space for you to sit, you can use the phrase Kannst du mir bitte Platz machen?
Did you know?
- The word Raum is used in the compound Lebensraum, a term that gained global notoriety during the Nazi era to justify territorial expansion.
- The English word 'room' is a cognate of Raum and shares the same Proto-Germanic ancestor *rūmą.
- To describe 'personal space' in a psychological sense, Germans use Privatsphäre, which translates to 'private sphere'.
Examples in context
- Lasst uns etwas Raum.Give us some space.This sentence is useful for asking someone to give you some space using Raum.Tatoeba #2887353 by brauchinet, translation #2885440 by CK
- Wir benötigen mehr Raum.We need more space.This sentence is useful for stating a need for more space using Raum.Tatoeba #4949318 by Zaghawa, translation #4501148 by CK
- Tom lebt auf kleinem Raum.Tom lives in a small space.This sentence is useful for describing living in a small space using Raum.Tatoeba #11043360 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #5351552 by Hybrid
- Es gibt keinen Platz zum Parken.There is no space for parking
- Mach bitte Platz!Please make some space!
- Du brauchst mehr Platz in deinem Zimmer, um ein Bücherregal aufzustellen.You need more space in your room to put up a bookshelf.
- 83 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maximilian and Laura are arranging furniture in a living room.
- MaximilianHier ist nicht genug Raum für das Sofa.There isn't enough space for the sofa here.
- LauraDann schieben wir den Tisch etwas zur Seite.Then we'll push the table a bit to the side.
- MaximilianJa, so haben wir wieder mehr Raum.Yes, that way we have more space again.
- LauraDas sieht jetzt viel besser aus, Maximilian.That looks much better now, Maximilian.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Raum, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Raum, raum, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
