Hinterland

See also: hinterland

German

Etymology

From hinter (“behind”) +‎ Land (“land”). First attested in the 15th century, in current use since the later 19th century.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈhɪntərˌlant/, [ˈhɪn.tɐˌlant]

• Audio

  (file)

Noun

Hinterland n (strong, genitive Hinterlandes or Hinterlands, plural Hinterlande)

1. hinterland
   1. areas surrounding and serving an economic centre, especially when located away from the main direction of travel and commerce

      Synonym: Umland

   2. (thus loosely) remote areas, backwater

      Synonym: Provinz

   3. areas lying beyond some given line or point, such as a river or mountain
   4. (thus military) rear (areas away from the front)

      Synonym: Etappe

Usage notes

• The German word has no particular maritime association, although, of course, sense 1.1 may refer to a port and sense 1.3 may refer to the coastline.
• The plural Hinterlande has merely stylistic value, implying a certain vastness; compare Land.

Declension

Declension of Hinterland [neuter, strong]

	singular			plural
	indef.	def.	noun	def.	noun
nominative	ein	das	Hinterland	die	Hinterlande
genitive	eines	des	Hinterlandes, Hinterlands	der	Hinterlande
dative	einem	dem	Hinterland, Hinterlande1	den	Hinterlanden
accusative	ein	das	Hinterland	die	Hinterlande

¹Now rare, see notes.

Descendants

• → English: hinterland
• → Dutch: hinterland
• → Italian: hinterland
• → Turkish: hinterlant

Further reading

• “Hinterland” in Duden online
• “Hinterland” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache