German word

Rathaus

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʁaːtˌhaʊ̯s/

Meaning

  • neuter nountown hall

Example

Ich gehe zum Rathaus.

I'm going to the town hall.

Illustration for Rathaus (town hall)

More examples

Das Rathaus öffnet um neun Uhr.

The town hall opens at nine.

Core concept

A civic landmark with service desks on the public side and council rooms behind them.

Common phrases

  • ins Rathaus

    into the town hall

  • zum Rathaus

    to the town hall

  • vor dem Rathaus

    in front of the town hall

Similar words

Bürgeramt: A public office handling resident registration and applications for official documents.
Standesamt: A government office for registering births, marriages, and deaths and issuing related certificates.

Definition in German

Sitz der städtischen Verwaltung, in dem öffentliche Dienste für die Einwohner erbracht und oft Ratssitzungen abgehalten werden.

Word origin

Rathaus is a compound of Rat, from Old High German rāt meaning counsel or council, and Haus meaning house.

Usage tips

  • Rathaus is neuter: das Rathaus, with the plural die Rathäuser.

Other meanings

  • city hallnoun
  • municipal officenoun

Related words

  • Rathausgebäudetown hall buildingnoun
  • Rathausplatztown hall squarenoun

Word lists with this word