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Dawson Darling
Bücherei vs. Bibliothek any difference at all?
Like it says, any difference? Even in connotation or usage?
Dec 31, 2018 8:59 AM
Answers · 3
1
Eine Bücherei ist eine kleinere [öffentliche] Bibliothek, a smaller (public) library. https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Buecherei
You would not call a huge library or a university library a Bücherei, but rather a Bibliothek. Some people having a bigger collection of books at home, would call that a Bibliothek as well.
December 31, 2018
1
I wouldn't use "Bücherei" for the library at an university for instance but only for a municipal library ( "Stadtbücherei"). "Bibliothek" works for both, I think.
December 31, 2018
"Bibliothek" is a collection of books available for reading, and exceptionally also for borrowing. When you have a lot of books at home, you could call this your "Bibliothek".
"Bücherei" is also a collection of books, typically available for borrowing. "Leihbücherei" means lending library.
In an academic context, the university library is always called "Universitätsbibliothek", probably because the Greek word Bibliothek sounds more learned and posh than the German word Bücherei.
December 31, 2018
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Dawson Darling
Language Skills
English, German
Learning Language
German
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