Is Kaufhalle a regionalism?

Question

Is a Supermarkt the same as Kaufhalle? I met people in East Germany saying Kaufhalle.

Thank you. But Wikipedia is wrong. The word is still very alive there. — SchcS, Sep 11 '13 at 19:54
The article does not contradict that. In fact, it doesn't say anything about the present. You could consider it incomplete, but not wrong. — chirlu, Sep 11 '13 at 20:17
The wiki page to Supermarkt indicates that it's still in present use. — Em1, Sep 11 '13 at 20:37

score 3 · Answer 1 · answered Sep 11 '13 at 21:09

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Yes, "Kaufhalle" is indeed a word that says "DDR" at least as strongly as "Zweiraumwohnung".

answered Sep 11 '13 at 21:09

Carsten S

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score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Sep 11 '13 at 23:38

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Supermarkt is the more polished, West German word. Kaufhalle is a more descriptive, hence more East German variant.

answered Sep 11 '13 at 23:38

Tom Au

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Der Halle hört man Wände und Decke an, während der Markt mehr nach Pferdemist und Schlamm klingt. Allerdings kaschiert die westliche Version, dass man womöglich Geld los wird. – user unknown Sep 12 '13 at 02:36
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I disagree with the juxtaposition of polished/more descriptive. All my Berlin friends who grew up in the GDR, now in their thirties/forties, still use "Kaufhalle" on a regular basis (sometimes ironic, though). – myhd Sep 13 '13 at 18:47

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Sep 12 '13 at 14:38

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There was a supermarket chain called Kaufhalle, so if someone said he goes to Kaufhalle, he really goes to a shop named Kaufhalle. Last shop was closed in 2007 or 2005. http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaufhalle

answered Sep 12 '13 at 14:38

RayofCommand

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You mean a different Wikipedia link: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaufhalle_AG – However, the range of goods was very different from a GDR Kaufhalle or a FRG Supermarkt, and its importance was not such that it would become a generic term. – chirlu Sep 12 '13 at 15:11

Is Kaufhalle a regionalism?

3 Answers3