basin / pelvis / cymbal
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basin / pool
A large, open container used to hold water or other liquids, e.g. a swimming pool or a washbasin.
Die Kinder planschen im flachen Becken des Schwimmbads.
The children are splashing around in the shallow pool at the swimming pool.
Almost all meanings of 'Becken' describe something with a round, bowl-like, or hollow shape. This idea connects the swimming pool, the bony pelvis in the body, the musical instrument, and even the geological basin in a landscape.
Die Katze trinkt Wasser aus einem kleinen Becken im Garten.
The cat drinks water from a small basin in the garden.
The meaning of 'Becken' is almost always clearly determined by the context. Pay attention to the surrounding words: water (swimming pool), body/medicine (bones), music (instrument), or landscape/geography (valley).
Im Orchester spielt er das Becken.
He plays the cymbals in the orchestra.
In its most common meaning as a container, 'Becken' is often part of compound words. The best known are 'Schwimmbecken' (swimming pool), 'Waschbecken' (washbasin/sink), and 'Spülbecken' (kitchen sink).
Das Wasser im Spülbecken läuft nicht ab.
The water in the kitchen sink is not draining.
In a medical context, the most common and important collocation is 'sich das Becken brechen' (to break one's pelvis). The verb is reflexive here.
Der Radfahrer stürzte und brach sich das Becken.
The cyclist fell and broke his pelvis.
As a musical instrument, the 'Becken' (cymbal) is part of a drum kit or orchestra. The typical verb in this context is 'schlagen' (to strike/hit).
Der Schlagzeuger schlug am Ende des Liedes kräftig auf das Becken.
The drummer struck the cymbal forcefully at the end of the song.
valley
'das Tal' and 'das Becken' can both describe a lower-lying landscape. A 'Tal' usually lies between mountains or hills and is often elongated; a river often flows through it. A 'Becken' is more of a larger, low-lying area surrounded by higher land. It does not have to be as clearly elongated as a valley. Learners may confuse the words because both refer to something low in the landscape. A practical tip: for a long landscape between mountains, you usually say 'Tal'. For a wide, enclosed area, 'Becken' is more suitable.
Das Becken zwischen den Bergen war früher einmal von einem See bedeckt.
The basin between the mountains was once covered by a lake.
Nach der Wanderung sahen wir unten im Tal die kleinen Häuser.
After the hike, we saw the small houses down in the valley.