die Au
floodplain
A damp, usually flat meadowland beside a river or stream that may be partly flooded when water levels rise.
EXAMPLE
In der Au am Fluss wachsen viele seltene Pflanzen.
Many rare plants grow in the floodplain beside the river.
die Au
floodplain / river island
die Au, die Auen
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Meanings
die Au
river island
An island in a river, especially one covered with trees or other vegetation.
EXAMPLE
Die Au liegt mitten im Fluss und ist nur mit dem Boot erreichbar.
The river island lies in the middle of the river and can only be reached by boat.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Au, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Auen |
| genitive | der Au |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Au | die Auen |
| accusative | die Au | die Auen |
| dative | der Au | den Auen |
| genitive | der Au | der Auen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Regional word
'Au' is used mainly in southern Germany and Austria; elsewhere, people usually say 'Aue' (floodplain). The word also appears in compounds such as 'Auwald' (riparian forest) and 'Auenlandschaft' (floodplain landscape).
EXAMPLE
Der Wanderweg führt durch eine weitläufige Au am Fluss.
The hiking trail leads through an extensive floodplain beside the river.
Typical collocations
When 'Au' refers to damp terrain, words such as 'Hochwasser' (high water), 'Wiese' (meadow), 'Flussufer' (riverbank), and 'Auwald' (riparian forest) often occur in the same context.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Hochwasser stand ein Teil der Au unter Wasser.
After the high water, part of the floodplain was under water.
Context clue
Words such as 'mitten im Fluss' (in the middle of the river), 'Boot' (boat), or 'bewaldet' (wooded) often show that 'Au' refers to a river island. Clues such as 'Hochwasser' (high water), 'Wiese' (meadow), or 'Auwald' (riparian forest) are more likely to refer to the damp terrain beside the river.
EXAMPLE
Am Wochenende ist die Au ein beliebter Rastplatz für Kanufahrer.
At the weekend, the river island is a popular resting place for canoeists.
In der Au am Ufer brüten jedes Jahr zahlreiche Vögel.
Every year, numerous birds nest in the floodplain by the riverbank.
In real life
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