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.
pelvis
The bony part of the skeleton in the lower torso that connects the spine to the legs and protects the pelvic organs.
Bei dem Fahrradunfall hat er sich das Becken gebrochen.
He broke his pelvis in the bicycle accident.
cymbal
A percussion instrument usually consisting of a pair of curved metal discs that are struck against each other.
Am Höhepunkt des Liedes schlug der Schlagzeuger laut in das Becken.
At the climax of the song, the drummer struck the cymbal loudly.
basin
A broad, low-lying landform surrounded by higher areas, e.g. a valley basin or a sedimentary basin.
In diesem geologischen Becken haben sich über Millionen Jahre dicke Sedimentschichten abgelagert.
In this geological basin, thick layers of sediment have been deposited over millions of years.
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.
pool
Both words can refer to an artificial, water-filled swimming pool. Pool particularly suggests leisure, a private garden, or a hotel, while Becken describes the structural or functional unit more neutrally. Pool is often a good choice for a private vacation property, while Becken is more suitable for a factual description.
Das Becken des neuen Schwimmbads wird gerade mit Wasser gefüllt.
The new swimming pool is currently being filled with water.
Im Hotel konnten die Gäste am Nachmittag im Pool schwimmen.
At the hotel, guests could swim in the pool in the afternoon.
