German Conversation · Level 25
90 words
German word
Hof
Pronunciation
IPA/hoːf/
Meaning
- masculine nouncourtyard
Example
Die Kinder spielen im Hof.
The children are playing in the courtyard.
More examples
Die Wäsche hängt im Hof.
The laundry is hanging in the courtyard.
Core concept
Enclosed grounds around buildings, whether a home courtyard, a working farm, or a ruler's household.
Common phrases
im Hof
in the courtyard
auf dem Hof
on the farm
Similar words
Bauernhof: A farm property where crops are grown, animals are kept, and farm work takes place.
Innenhof: An outdoor courtyard enclosed by buildings on all sides.
Definition in German
Ein meist von Gebäuden oder Mauern umschlossener Außenraum, der zum Aufenthalt, Spielen oder Arbeiten dient.
Word origin
Hof comes from Old High German hof and originally denoted an enclosed yard or estate, later extending to farms and a ruler's household.
Usage tips
- The usual location phrase is im Hof for a courtyard but auf dem Hof for a farm or farm premises.