das Boot
boat
A smaller watercraft used for moving on water and usually smaller than a ship.
EXAMPLE
Am Wochenende haben wir ein kleines Boot gemietet und sind über den See gefahren.
At the weekend, we rented a small boat and went across the lake.
das Boot
boat
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Meanings
im selben Boot sitzen
to be in the same boat
To be in the same, usually difficult or unpleasant, situation together with others.
EXAMPLE
Nach der Ankündigung der Kurzarbeit war allen klar, dass wir im selben Boot sitzen.
After the announcement of reduced working hours, it was clear to everyone that we were in the same boat.
Usage tips
False friend
'Das Boot' does not mean the English 'boot' (footwear). The German word for a boot is 'der Stiefel'. This mix-up is a very common mistake.
EXAMPLE
Für die Wanderung brauchst du feste Stiefel.
You need sturdy boots for the hike.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'im selben Boot sitzen' (to be in the same boat) is a fixed expression. It is used to express that several people are in the same, usually difficult, situation.
EXAMPLE
Als das Projektbudget gekürzt wurde, saßen wir plötzlich alle im selben Boot.
When the project budget was cut, we suddenly all found ourselves in the same boat.
Typical prepositions
Pay attention to the case with prepositions: 'im Boot' (in the boat; dative) describes a position, while 'ins Boot' (into the boat; accusative) describes movement.
EXAMPLE
Die ganze Familie saß im Boot und genoss die Sonne.
The whole family was sitting in the boat and enjoying the sun.
Typical verbs
Common verbs used with 'Boot' are 'Boot fahren' (to go boating), 'ein Boot rudern' (to row a boat), or 'ein Boot steuern' (to steer a boat).
EXAMPLE
Am Sonntag wollen wir auf dem See Boot fahren.
On Sunday we want to go boating on the lake.
Compare with
Boot vs Schiff
ship
Schiff and Boot both refer to watercraft. A Schiff is normally large and is often used to transport many people or large quantities of goods, while a Boot is generally smaller. The boundary is not clear-cut, however, so the usual term for the particular design also plays a role.
Boot
Das kleine Boot bringt vier Fahrgäste über den See.
The small boat is taking four passengers across the lake.
Schiff
Das große Schiff bringt mehrere hundert Fahrgäste über den See.
The large ship is taking several hundred passengers across the lake.
In real life
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