living-space

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Physical area for habitation: "living-space" refers to the area within a dwelling or building that is used for daily activities such as relaxing, eating, or sleeping, distinct from storage or utility areas.
   • Territorial concept: In a historical or ideological context, "living-space" (from the German Lebensraum) denotes territory considered necessary for a nation or group to expand and sustain its population, often associated with expansionist policies.

Usage Examples

• Physical area:

  • The apartment has a small living-space of only 40 square meters. (The area used for daily activities is limited.)
  • They converted the attic into additional living-space for guests. (They changed a storage area into a habitable room.)

• Territorial concept:

  • The regime's rhetoric of "living-space" justified its aggressive expansion into neighboring countries. (The idea of needing more territory was used to support military action.)

Advanced Usage

• "Living-space" as a countable noun: Often used to describe specific rooms or zones.

  • We need to redesign the living-space to make it more open. (We need to change the layout of the main room.)

• "Living-space" in urban planning: Refers to the total habitable area in a city or building.

  • The city's new housing project aims to increase living-space per resident. (The project tries to give each person more room to live in.)

Variants and Related Words

• Living (adj): being alive or used for living.

  • The living room is the main living-space in many homes. (The room used for daily life.)

• Space (n): a continuous area or expanse that is free, available, or unoccupied.

  • There is not enough space in the living-space for a large sofa. (The area is too small.)

Synonyms

• Habitable area: the part of a building suitable for living.
• Dwelling area: the space where people reside.
• Living quarters: rooms or areas used for daily life.

Phrasal Verbs

• (No common phrasal verbs directly with "living-space".)

Related Idioms

• "Cramp one's living-space": to restrict someone's ability to live comfortably.

  • The new roommate's clutter cramps my living-space. (Their mess reduces the usable area.)

• "Expand one's living-space": to increase the area available for habitation.

  • They expanded their living-space by adding a sunroom. (They built an extra room.)