Today’s word is all about space and control. The German noun Revier means territory, district, or beat — depending on context. It can refer to an animal’s hunting ground, a police officer’s patrol area, or a coal-mining region. Whether it’s nature, authority, or industry, Revier marks out a zone.

Revier is a neuter noun, so the correct article is das — das Revier. If you’d like to understand why some words are das, others der, and others die, our 5-minute gender video lesson will give you exactly the clarity you need.

Real conversations where Revier might come up

You might hear Revier in news reports (Polizeirevier, Kohle­revier), in nature documentaries (das Revier eines Wolfes), or in casual expressions about someone "protecting their turf."

– Das ist sein Revier.
– Kein Wunder, dass er so reagiert hat.
(“That’s his territory.” – “No wonder he reacted like that.”)

Beginner sample dialogue

Mira: Was ist das für ein Gebäude?
Jan: Das ist das Polizeirevier.
Mira: Ach so! Ich dachte, das ist das Rathaus.

(Mira: What’s that building?
Jan: That’s the police station.
Mira: Oh! I thought it was the town hall.)

Grammar in action: How to use Revier

Here’s how Revier works in the four German cases:

• Nominative: Das Revier ist sehr groß.
  (The territory is very large.)

• Accusative: Ich kenne das Revier gut.
  (I know the district well.)

• Dative: Im Revier gibt es viele Tiere.
  (There are many animals in the territory.)

• Genitive: Die Grenzen des Reviers sind markiert.
  (The borders of the territory are marked.)

Want to stop guessing and start understanding German cases? Our straightforward grammar course explains everything clearly — no stress, just sense.

Other ways to say territory or district in German

Depending on context, other words you might hear include:

• Bezirk – district (administrative)

• Gebiet – area or zone

• Territorium – territory (formal, geographic)

• Einsatzgebiet – area of deployment (military, police)

But Revier is often used when there’s an implication of “patrol,” “control,” or “claiming space” — by people or animals.

Word variations and tidbits

You’ll see Revier in many compound words and phrases:

• Polizeirevier – police station (often shortened to Revier)

• Jagrevier – hunting ground

• Kohle­revier – coal-mining region

• Tierrevier – animal territory

• Revierverhalten – territorial behavior (in animals or metaphorically, in humans!)

Fun expression:
„Sein Revier verteidigen“ – “to defend one’s turf” — used both literally and figuratively, often to describe someone being protective of their role, status, or responsibilities.

Duden entry:
https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Revier

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