German Housing Glossary Explained

German Housing Ad

When it comes to finding adequate housing in Berlin, you will have a look on one of the many internet sites offering apartments, houses and shared apartments (WGs). 

These ads are usually short, specially when  published in a newspaper or magazine, since every line does cost a fair bit of money, or the overall ad space is simply limited. Due to this reason, and their general fondness for being short and specific, Germans are the true champions of housing abbreviations (abbrv.)

Housing Ad Berlin

In this article, we've listed a few examples of such ads, which even for a native-speaking German - if inexperienced like myself- may pose some head scratching.



Apartment/flat - Wohnung
Shared apartment/flat - (WG) (Wohngemeinschaft)
Condo  - (EW) Eigentumswohnung
Single Room - (Zi) Zimmer
Studio - Studio or (1-Zi) Wohnung
2-room apartment (1 bedroom+living room) - (2-Zi) Wohnung
3rd-floor - (3OG.) Obergeschoss
Attic or top floor/level - (DG) Dachgeschoss(wohnung)
Ground floor  - (EG) Ergeschoss
Toilet - WC
Bathroom - (Bad)ezimmer
Year of contruction - (Bj.) Baujahr
Square meters - (qm.) Quadratmeter
Balcony/Terrace - (Blk.) Balkon
Fitted Kitchen - (EBK) Einbauküche
Central heating - (E. -Hzg) Etagenheizung
Old, possibly heritage-protected building - (AB) Altbau
Furnished - (möbl.) möbliert
Rent incl. heating - (WM) Warmmiete or 'warm'
Rent excluding heating - (KM) Kaltmiete or 'kalt'
Deposit - (KT) Kaution


A few things to keep in mind when looking for a place in Germany:

• Many buildings (pre-ww2 buildings) are heritage-protected and will not have more than 5 or 6 floors.

• Old buildings usually do not have a lift, so expect a good work-out when living on the upper floors.

• In Germany, the first floor (1.Stock) is above the ground floor (EG) the 'Erdgeschoss'; thus, the first floor (1. Stock) is actually the 2nd floor in most other countries.

• Old German-style buildings (usually pre- WW2) have often stucco, are prettier than new ones but can be pricier.

Want to know more?


Check out the article on  How to Find Housing in Berlin which lists the best web resources for rentals in Berlin and all of Germany.

The about:com article on German Housing Terminologies and abbreviations for further reading on the subject will come in handy!

Do you need further help?
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