German Conversation · Level 71
60 words
German word
Gasse
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈgasə/
Meaning
- feminine nounalley
Example
Die Gasse ist sehr eng.
The alley is very narrow.
More examples
In der Gasse hörte man Straßenmusik.
Street music could be heard in the alley.
Core concept
A cramped lane winding through a dense line of houses, where cars have little room to pass.
Common phrases
eine dunkle Gasse
a dark alley
die Gasse entlanggehen
walk along the alley
die Gasse beleuchten
light the alley
Similar words
Straße: A main urban road used by cars, buses, and other vehicles.
Weg: A small passage used by people or bicycles for short trips.
Definition in German
Eine schmale Straße oder ein Fußweg, der sich meist zwischen Häuserzeilen erstreckt und wenig Platz für Fahrzeuge bietet.
Word origin
The modern noun Gasse developed from Middle High German gasse and Old High German gassa, from a Germanic word for a passage or way.
Usage tips
- Gasse does not necessarily mean a pedestrian-only route; it can also name a very narrow street where limited vehicle access remains possible.
Other meanings
- lanenoun
- streetnoun
Opposites
- Hauptstraßemain streetnoun
Related words
- Gassenfeststreet festivalnoun
- Gassenmusikantstreet musiciannoun