German Phrase
Gibt's hier eine Nachbarschaftswache?
Meaning
The speaker is asking whether a neighbourhood watch (a group of residents who look out for each other’s safety) exists in the immediate area. It can be used when you’re new to a district, when you feel something is missing, or simply out of curiosity about local community initiatives.
When to use
Use this question when you want to find out if there is an organized volunteer patrol or safety network in a German‑speaking neighbourhood – for example after moving into a new apartment block, when discussing local safety measures, or when you hear rumors about a watch program.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Gibt'shiereineNachbarschaftswache?
Impersonal verb geben
‘Gibt’ is the 3rd‑person singular of the impersonal verb ‘geben’ used to indicate existence, equivalent to ‘there is/are’ in English.
Contraction ‘Gibt’s’
‘Gibt’s’ is the spoken contraction of ‘gibt es’. It is common in informal spoken German but should be avoided in formal writing.
Verb‑first in yes/no questions
German yes/no questions place the finite verb at the beginning of the clause (Gibt’s …?).
Indefinite article ‘eine’
‘Nachbarschaftswache’ is a feminine noun (die Nachbarschaftswache), so the indefinite article is ‘eine’.
Compound noun formation
‘Nachbarschaftswache’ combines ‘Nachbarschaft’ (neighbourhood) + ‘Wache’ (watch/guard) and follows normal German compound‑noun stress on the first part.
🗨In Conversation
Gibt's hier eine Nachbarschaftswache?
Is there a neighbourhood watch here?
Ja, wir treffen uns jeden ersten Mittwoch im Monat im Gemeinschaftsraum.
Yes, we meet every first Wednesday of the month in the community room.
✕Common Mistakes
Gibt hier eine Nachbarschaftswache?
The impersonal verb needs the dummy pronoun ‘es’; the correct form is ‘gibt es’ or the contraction ‘gibt’s’.
Gibt's hier der Nachbarschaftswache?
‘Nachbarschaftswache’ is feminine, so the correct indefinite article is ‘eine’, not ‘der’.
Gibt's hier eine Nachbarschaftswache?
In formal writing avoid the contraction ‘Gibt’s’; use the full form ‘Gibt es …?’.
↔Alternatives
Gibt es hier eine Nachbarschaftspatrouille?
Is there a neighbourhood patrol here?
Hat diese Gegend eine Bürgerwache?
Does this area have a citizen watch?
Gibt es hier ein Nachbarschafts‑Sicherheitsprogramm?
Is there a neighbourhood safety programme here?
Cultural Tip
In many German‑speaking towns, formal ‘Nachbarschaftswachen’ are rare; safety is usually coordinated by the local police (Polizei) or by volunteer ‘Bürgerinitiativen’. If you hear the term, it often refers to a loosely organised group of residents who meet occasionally, rather than a legally‑mandated patrol. Adjust your tone accordingly – a friendly, inquisitive approach works best.