01
der Camper
camper
A person who goes camping as a form of vacation or leisure activity.
example
Der Campingplatz war im Sommer voller Camper aus ganz Europa.
In summer, the campsite was full of campers from all over Europe.
der Camper
camper
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Origin of the word
'Camper' is a word from English, derived from the verb 'to camp'. In German, the ending '-er' can refer both to a person who does something and to a device or vehicle used for something.
EXAMPLE
Dieser Camper ist sehr modern ausgestattet.
This camper is equipped in a very modern way.
Context clue
You can tell whether a person or a vehicle is meant from the verb. If the 'Camper' (camper) does something, e.g. cooks or sleeps, it is a person. If something is done with the 'Camper' (camper), e.g. driving, parking, or renting it, it is a vehicle.
EXAMPLE
Die Camper bauten am Abend ihr Zelt auf.
The campers put up their tent in the evening.
Typical collocations
When a person is meant, 'der Camper' (the camper) often appears in the plural in contexts referring to location or origin. Typical phrases are 'die Camper auf dem Campingplatz' (the campers at the campsite) or 'viele Camper aus den Niederlanden' (many campers from the Netherlands).
EXAMPLE
Die erfahrenen Camper wussten genau, wie man ein Feuer macht.
The experienced campers knew exactly how to make a fire.
Typical collocations
When the vehicle is meant, 'der Camper' (the camper) is often combined with verbs such as 'mieten' (to rent), 'kaufen' (to buy), 'fahren' (to drive), or 'umbauen' (to convert). The phrase 'mit dem Camper reisen' (to travel by camper) is also very common.
EXAMPLE
Für den Urlaub in Norwegen wollen wir einen Camper mieten.
We want to rent a camper for our vacation in Norway.
Compare with
Camper vs Wohnwagen
caravan / travel trailer
'der Wohnwagen' and 'der Camper' can both have to do with camping and vacations, but they are not the same thing. A Wohnwagen is a trailer that is towed by a car. A Camper can be a person who camps, or a converted vehicle for living and sleeping. That is why 'Camper' can easily be confusing: you have to tell from the sentence whether a person or a vehicle is meant. If you clearly mean the trailer, 'Wohnwagen' is more precise.
Camper
Im Urlaub schlafen wir in einem kleinen Camper, weil wir flexibel reisen wollen.
On vacation, we sleep in a small camper because we want to travel flexibly.
Wohnwagen
Auf dem Campingplatz steht unser Wohnwagen direkt neben dem See.
At the campsite, our caravan is parked right next to the lake.
In real life
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