When you're traveling alone and need a place to sleep, you'll often look for "das Einzelzimmer." This German word literally translates to "the single room" in English. It's a standard term used in hotels and guesthouses across Germany to specify a room designed for one person.
So, if you're booking accommodation, asking for "ein Einzelzimmer" means you want a room with a single bed, not a double or a twin. This is a very practical word to know when making travel plans in German-speaking countries.
das Einzelzimmer in 30 Seconds
- Hotel room for one.
- Single occupancy lodging.
- Room with one bed.
§ What it means and when to use it
Alright, let's talk about das Einzelzimmer. This is a common and very practical German word you absolutely need to know if you're traveling or booking accommodation. Simply put, das Einzelzimmer means 'single room'.
- DEFINITION
- A single room. This is a room designed and priced for one person.
You'll hear or see this word most often when you're dealing with hotels, guesthouses (called 'Pension' or 'Gasthof' in German), hostels, or even some bed and breakfasts. If you're traveling solo and need a place to sleep, this is the term you'll use. It's straightforward: a room for one.
Let's look at some scenarios where you'd use das Einzelzimmer:
- Booking a hotel: When you're making a reservation online or over the phone, you'll specify if you need an 'Einzelzimmer' or a 'Doppelzimmer' (double room).
- Asking at reception: If you walk into a hotel without a reservation, you might ask, "Haben Sie noch ein Einzelzimmer frei?" (Do you still have a single room available?).
- Looking at room descriptions: Hotel websites or brochures will clearly list 'Einzelzimmer' with their prices and features.
It's distinct from a 'Doppelzimmer' (double room), which is for two people, or a 'Familienzimmer' (family room). Always be clear about what you're booking to avoid confusion and unexpected costs.
Ich hätte gerne ein Einzelzimmer für zwei Nächte. (I would like a single room for two nights.)
Ist das Einzelzimmer mit Bad? (Is the single room with a bathroom?)
Understanding das Einzelzimmer is fundamental for any German learner who plans to travel in German-speaking countries. It's a word you'll encounter quickly and use frequently, so make sure it's in your active vocabulary. It's not just a word; it's your key to a comfortable night's sleep when you're on your own abroad.
It's also worth noting that while 'Einzelzimmer' literally translates to 'single room', it implies a room for one person, rather than just a single bed. A 'Doppelzimmer' can sometimes have two single beds or one double bed, but an 'Einzelzimmer' is explicitly for one occupant.
So, next time you're planning a trip to Germany, Austria, or Switzerland by yourself, you know exactly what to ask for at the hotel counter. Don't overthink it; it's a very direct term. Just practice saying it, and you'll be fine.
Examples by Level
Ich möchte ein Einzelzimmer für eine Nacht.
I would like a single room for one night.
Hat das Hotel noch ein Einzelzimmer frei?
Does the hotel still have a single room available?
Das Einzelzimmer ist klein, aber gemütlich.
The single room is small, but cozy.
Der Preis für das Einzelzimmer ist 70 Euro pro Nacht.
The price for the single room is 70 euros per night.
Gibt es ein Einzelzimmer mit Bad?
Is there a single room with a bathroom?
Wir brauchen zwei Einzelzimmer für unsere Reise.
We need two single rooms for our trip.
Mein Einzelzimmer hat einen schönen Blick auf den Garten.
My single room has a nice view of the garden.
Ein Einzelzimmer ist oft günstiger als ein Doppelzimmer.
A single room is often cheaper than a double room.
Idioms & Expressions
"im siebten Himmel sein"
to be in seventh heaven (ecstatic)
Nach der bestandenen Prüfung war ich im siebten Himmel. (After passing the exam, I was in seventh heaven.)
neutral"zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe schlagen"
to kill two birds with one stone
Ich habe die E-Mails beantwortet und gleichzeitig mein Deutsch geübt – zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe geschlagen! (I answered the emails and practiced my German at the same time – killed two birds with one stone!)
neutral"auf Wolke sieben schweben"
to be floating on cloud nine (deeply in love or happy)
Seit er sie kennengelernt hat, schwebt er auf Wolke sieben. (Since he met her, he's been floating on cloud nine.)
neutral"den Faden verlieren"
to lose the thread (of a conversation or thought)
Entschuldigung, ich habe den Faden verloren. Was war die Frage? (Excuse me, I lost my train of thought. What was the question?)
neutral"jemandem die Daumen drücken"
to keep one's fingers crossed for someone
Ich drücke dir die Daumen für deine Prüfung morgen. (I'll keep my fingers crossed for your exam tomorrow.)
neutral"Butter bei die Fische!"
get to the point! / out with it!
Hör auf herumzureden, Butter bei die Fische! Was willst du wirklich? (Stop beating around the bush, get to the point! What do you really want?)
informal"Tomaten auf den Augen haben"
to have tomatoes on one's eyes (to be oblivious to something obvious)
Du hast ja Tomaten auf den Augen! Der Schlüssel liegt direkt vor dir. (You're blind! The key is right in front of you.)
informal"ein Katzensprung sein"
to be a stone's throw away (very close)
Der Supermarkt ist nur ein Katzensprung von hier. (The supermarket is just a stone's throw from here.)
neutral"auf den Geist gehen"
to get on someone's nerves
Sein ständiges Klagen geht mir auf den Geist. (His constant complaining gets on my nerves.)
informal"ins Gras beißen"
to bite the dust (to die)
Der alte Krieger musste schließlich ins Gras beißen. (The old warrior finally bit the dust.)
neutralHow to Use It
When talking about a single room in German, you use das Einzelzimmer. It's a neutral noun, so it takes the article das. This is very common in hotels or when looking for accommodation.
A common mistake is trying to translate 'single room' directly to something like 'einzeln Zimmer' or 'einzelnes Zimmer'. Remember that Einzelzimmer is a compound noun, meaning 'single' is already built into the word. Always use das Einzelzimmer.
Tips
Learn the gender with the noun
Always learn German nouns with their definite article (der, die, das). This helps you remember the gender, which is crucial for correct grammar. For "Einzelzimmer," it's "das," indicating it's a neuter noun.
Break down the word
"Einzelzimmer" is a compound noun. "Einzel-" means single or individual, and "Zimmer" means room. Understanding these parts helps with vocabulary building.
Plural form
The plural form of "das Einzelzimmer" is "die Einzelzimmer." Notice that the word doesn't change in the plural. This is common for some German nouns ending in -er.
Use it in a simple sentence
Practice using the word in a basic sentence: "Ich möchte ein Einzelzimmer buchen." (I would like to book a single room.) This helps solidify its meaning and usage.
Related words
Think of related words to expand your vocabulary: "das Doppelzimmer" (double room), "das Familienzimmer" (family room), "die Rezeption" (reception).
Contextual practice
Imagine a scenario where you would use this word, like checking into a hotel. What other phrases would you need? "Haben Sie noch ein Einzelzimmer frei?" (Do you still have a single room available?)
Listen for it
When listening to German, try to pick out "Einzelzimmer" in conversations or audio clips related to travel or accommodation. This improves your listening comprehension.
Pronunciation practice
Practice pronouncing "das Einzelzimmer" correctly. Pay attention to the "ei" sound (like in "my") and the "z" sound (like "ts" in cats).
Don't confuse with 'allein'
"Einzelzimmer" refers to a room for one person. "Allein" means alone or by oneself. While related, they are not interchangeable.
Common in hotels
It's a very common term you'll encounter when booking hotels or other types of accommodation in German-speaking countries. Knowing this word is very practical for travelers.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Einzel' sounding a bit like 'one cell.' So, a 'one cell room' is a single room.
Visual Association
Imagine a lonely Eins (the number one) happily sitting in a cozy room all by itself. Eins-elzimmer, single room.
Word Web
Challenge
Next time you are thinking about hotels, try to mentally ask for 'ein Einzelzimmer' in German.
Test Yourself 24 questions
Which of these means 'single room'?
'Einzelzimmer' is the German word for a room designed for one person.
You are traveling alone. Which type of room would you most likely book?
If you are alone, a 'Einzelzimmer' (single room) is the appropriate choice.
Which article is used with 'Einzelzimmer'?
'Einzelzimmer' is a neuter noun, so it takes the article 'das'.
A 'Einzelzimmer' is suitable for two people.
No, a 'Einzelzimmer' is a single room, intended for one person.
If you ask for 'ein Einzelzimmer', you are requesting a room for one person.
Yes, 'ein Einzelzimmer' literally translates to 'a single room'.
The word 'Einzelzimmer' is a masculine noun.
'Einzelzimmer' is a neuter noun, using 'das' as its article.
This sentence means 'I need a single room.' The verb 'brauchen' (to need) comes after the subject 'Ich'.
This is a question: 'Does the hotel still have single rooms?' In a question, the verb often comes first.
This sentence means 'The single room is very small.' The verb 'ist' (is) connects the subject and the adjective.
Listen for what kind of room was booked.
Listen for a feature of the single room.
Listen for different room types offered.
Read this aloud:
Entschuldigen Sie, haben Sie noch ein Einzelzimmer frei?
Focus: Einzelzimmer, frei
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Ich reise allein und brauche nur ein Einzelzimmer.
Focus: allein, brauche, Einzelzimmer
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Wie viel kostet ein Einzelzimmer pro Nacht?
Focus: kostet, Einzelzimmer, Nacht
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence describes reserving a single room with a garden view. The word order follows standard German sentence structure: subject, conjugated verb, direct object, prepositional phrase.
This is an interrogative sentence asking if the single room is equipped with a private bathroom. The conjugated verb 'ist' (is) comes first in a question, followed by the subject 'das Einzelzimmer' (the single room) and then the rest of the sentence structure.
This sentence uses a subordinate clause introduced by 'obwohl' (although). The conjugated verb 'ist' in the subordinate clause goes to the end. The main clause then starts with the conjugated verb 'bietet', followed by the subject 'es'.
/ 24 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
When booking accommodation in German, 'das Einzelzimmer' means a room for one person.
- Hotel room for one.
- Single occupancy lodging.
- Room with one bed.
Learn the gender with the noun
Always learn German nouns with their definite article (der, die, das). This helps you remember the gender, which is crucial for correct grammar. For "Einzelzimmer," it's "das," indicating it's a neuter noun.
Break down the word
"Einzelzimmer" is a compound noun. "Einzel-" means single or individual, and "Zimmer" means room. Understanding these parts helps with vocabulary building.
Plural form
The plural form of "das Einzelzimmer" is "die Einzelzimmer." Notice that the word doesn't change in the plural. This is common for some German nouns ending in -er.
Use it in a simple sentence
Practice using the word in a basic sentence: "Ich möchte ein Einzelzimmer buchen." (I would like to book a single room.) This helps solidify its meaning and usage.
Example
Ich habe ein Einzelzimmer im Hotel gebucht.
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