das Freie
Translation
the open, the outdoors, open air
Examples
Lass uns ins Freie gehen.
Let's go into the open.
Die Kinder spielen im Freien.
The children are playing outdoors.
Grammar Patterns
ins Freie ((gehen)) to go into the open/outdoors We're going outdoors on the weekend.
im Freien ((sein/spielen)) to be/play outdoors Picnicking in the open is nice.
Similar Words
Synonyms: Draußen (outside), die Natur (nature); Antonyms: Drinnen (inside), das Gebäude (building)
Etymology
A nominalization of the adjective 'frei' (free). It literally means 'the free (space)'.
Memory Tips
Think of a 'free' space, which is the outdoors. Remember the case changes: 'ins Freie' (into the open, accusative) vs. 'im Freien' (in the open, dative).