der Creek
creek
A smaller river or stream, especially in North America or Australia.
EXAMPLE
Hinter der Farm fließt ein kleiner Creek, in dem man im Sommer baden kann.
Behind the farm, there is a small creek where you can swim in the summer.
der Creek
creek
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Meanings
der Creek
Creek
A member of the North American Indigenous people known as the Muscogee, who were historically also known as the Creek Confederacy.
EXAMPLE
Die Ausstellung zeigte die traditionelle Lebensweise der Creek vor der Ankunft der Europäer.
The exhibition showed the traditional way of life of the Creek before the arrival of the Europeans.
Usage tips
English origin
'Creek' is a word from English and is also pronounced in the English way (roughly like 'kreek'). It is used in German to describe contexts that have a connection to North America or Australia.
EXAMPLE
Die Goldgräber suchten in jedem kleinen Creek nach wertvollen Metallen.
The gold prospectors searched every small creek for valuable metals.
Meaning in context
You can tell from context whether a body of water or a people is meant. Words like 'fließen' (to flow), 'Ufer' (bank/shore), or 'Wasser' (water) point to the stream, while words like 'Volk' (people), 'Stamm' (tribe), or 'Geschichte' (history) refer to the Indigenous people.
EXAMPLE
Der Creek führt nach dem starken Regen viel Wasser.
After the heavy rain, the creek carries a lot of water.
Geographical classification
In the meaning 'Bach' (stream), 'Creek' is used almost exclusively for bodies of water in North America, Australia, or other English-speaking regions. You would not use the word for a stream in Germany.
EXAMPLE
Während der Dürre war der Creek an vielen Stellen komplett ausgetrocknet.
During the drought, the creek was completely dried up in many places.
Historical context
As a term for a people, 'Creek' is a historical term for the Muscogee Nation in North America. A typical expression in this context is 'Creek-Konföderation' (Creek Confederacy).
EXAMPLE
Die Seminolen spalteten sich im 18. Jahrhundert von der Creek-Konföderation ab.
The Seminoles split off from the Creek Confederacy in the 18th century.
Compare with
Creek vs Bach
stream
Bach is the general German term for a small flowing body of water. Creek refers to this kind of body of water especially in North America or Australia, where it is also often used in geographical names.
Creek
Hinter dem australischen Dorf fließt ein schmaler Creek durch die Wiesen.
A narrow creek flows through the meadows behind the Australian village.
Bach
Hinter unserem Dorf fließt ein schmaler Bach durch die Wiesen.
A narrow stream flows through the meadows behind our village.
In real life
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