dolphin
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dolphin
An intelligent marine mammal from the whale family, known for its playful behavior and social nature.
Im Urlaub hatten wir das Glück, eine Gruppe von Delphinen zu beobachten, die neben unserem Boot schwammen.
On vacation, we were lucky enough to observe a group of dolphins swimming alongside our boat.
You can easily recognize the meaning of 'Delphin' (dolphin / butterfly stroke) from the context. If it is about the sea, animals, or nature, it refers to the mammal. In conversations about sports, swimming pools, or competitions, it refers to the swimming stroke.
Im Ozean leben viele Delphine.
Many dolphins live in the ocean.
When the swimming stroke is meant, 'Delphin' (butterfly stroke) is often combined directly with the verb 'schwimmen' (to swim) or a distance. The construction is then, for example, '(distance) Delphin schwimmen' (to swim [distance] butterfly).
Sie trainiert zweimal pro Woche Delphin.
She trains butterfly twice a week.
When the animal is meant, 'Delphin' (dolphin) is often used in connection with water and observation. Typical phrases are 'Delphine beobachten' (to watch dolphins), 'mit Delphinen schwimmen' (to swim with dolphins), or 'ein Schwarm Delphine' (a pod of dolphins).
Die Kinder waren begeistert, als sie die springenden Delphine sahen.
The children were thrilled when they saw the jumping dolphins.
butterfly
'Schmetterling' and 'Delphin' can refer to the same stroke in swimming. Both mean the swimming style with a simultaneous arm movement and a wave-like leg movement. This does not mean the animal 'Schmetterling' or the sea animal 'Delphin'. Learners may confuse the words because 'Delphin' in this context is not only an animal, but also a swimming stroke. 'Schmetterling' is very common as the name of the swimming stroke; 'Delphin' is heard especially when the wave-like movement is being emphasized.
Beim Delphin muss Paul die Bewegung der Beine noch besser üben.
In butterfly, Paul still needs to practice the movement of his legs better.
Sofia schwimmt Schmetterling nur auf kurzen Strecken.
Sofia only swims butterfly over short distances.