das Bett
bed
A piece of furniture used for sleeping or resting.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem langen Tag freue ich mich auf mein Bett.
After the long day, I'm looking forward to my bed.
das Bett
bed
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Meanings
das Bett
bed
The bottom of a river, stream, or lake. Also referred to as a riverbed.
EXAMPLE
Wegen der Trockenheit konnte man das leere Bett des Flusses sehen.
Because of the drought, you could see the empty bed of the river.
das Bett
bed
A defined, cultivated area in a garden where plants are grown. Synonymous with 'das Beet' (garden bed).
EXAMPLE
Wir haben ein neues Bett für die Erdbeeren angelegt.
We created a new bed for the strawberries.
Usage tips
Movement vs. location
Pay attention to the difference between accusative and dative. Movement toward the bed is expressed with 'ins Bett' (into bed; short for 'in das'), while a state or position in bed is described with 'im Bett' (in bed; short for 'in dem').
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder gehen jeden Abend um acht Uhr ins Bett.
The children go to bed every evening at eight.
Fixed expressions
There are a few fixed expressions with 'Bett' (bed). 'Das Bett machen' means to arrange the blanket and pillows neatly. 'Zu Bett gehen' is a common phrase for 'to go to sleep' or 'to go to bed'.
EXAMPLE
Bitte mach dein Bett, bevor du zur Schule gehst.
Please make your bed before you go to school.
Context clues
You can easily recognize the meanings 'Flussbett' (riverbed) and 'Gartenbeet' (garden bed) from context. If the text mentions a river, water, or drought, it refers to the bottom of a body of water. In the context of a garden, plants, or flowers, it refers to the cultivated area.
EXAMPLE
Der Bach hatte so wenig Wasser, dass man das Bett sehen konnte.
The stream had so little water that you could see the bed.
Compare with
Bett vs Grund
reason / ground
Grund and Bett can both refer to the lower part of a body of water. Grund mainly means its deepest bottom surface; Bett refers to the landform in which the water lies or flows. Use Grund for something found at the bottom, and Bett for the shape or course of the body of water.
Bett
Das Bett des Flusses ist an dieser Stelle besonders breit.
The riverbed is particularly wide at this point.
Grund
Auf dem Grund des Flusses fand die Taucherin eine Münze.
The diver found a coin on the bottom of the river.
In real life
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