There are three main words for “environment” in the German language. Though the terms often overlap, the word “Umwelt” (f.) is primarily used to describe nature and ecosystems (that may have an impact on our living conditions) , “Umfeld” (n.) is mainly for the social or psychological environment that one is influenced by, and “Umgebung” (f.) means one’s immediate physical surroundings:

– “Rettet die Umwelt!” – “Save the environment!”
– “Wir erwarten ein sicheres und gesundes Arbeitsumfeld.” – “We expect a safe and healthy working environment.”
– “Ich brauche meine gewohnte Umgebung.” – “I need my familiar environment.”

Whereas “Umwelt” and “Umfeld” are both used to describe surroundings that have a direct effect on humanity (or a specific group or person), the word “Umgebung” is not necessarily linked to us in such a way and can refer to nearby objects, structures and streets as well as nature (i.e. one’s “immediate environment”).

Related words are “Umweltschutz” (m.), meaning “environmental protection”; “umweltfreundlich”, meaning “environment-friendly”; “Umweltschaden” (m.), meaning “damage to the environment”; “umweltschädlich”, meaning “harmful to the environment.”

Note: “Umwelt” literally means “the world around” and comes from the Danish word “omverden”, meaning area or “surrounding land”.