geography
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geography
The scientific discipline that deals with the Earth's surface, its landscapes, peoples, and phenomena. The term is often used synonymously for the school subject geography.
In der siebten Klasse hatten wir Erdkunde und lernten alle Hauptstädte Europas.
In seventh grade we had geography and learned all the capitals of Europe.
The word is made up of 'Erde' (Earth) and 'Kunde' (knowledge/study). The part 'Kunde' here means 'knowledge' or 'study' and is related to the verb 'können' (to be able to). So 'Erdkunde' (geography) is literally the study or knowledge of the Earth.
Der Name „Erdkunde“ beschreibt genau, worum es in dem Fach geht: das Wissen über unseren Planeten.
The name 'Erdkunde' (geography) describes exactly what the subject is about: knowledge about our planet.
'Erdkunde' (geography) is the traditional and very common name for the school subject geography. It is often used when talking about one's school days or classes.
Mein Lieblingsfach in der Schule war Erdkunde, weil wir über ferne Länder gelernt haben.
My favorite subject in school was geography because we learned about distant countries.
When talking about content or performance in this subject, the preposition 'in' is almost always used. You are good or bad 'in Erdkunde' (at geography) or learn something 'in Erdkunde' (in geography).
Ich war noch nie besonders gut in Erdkunde.
I was never particularly good at geography.
geography
'Geographie' and 'Erdkunde' refer to a very similar field: they deal with the Earth's surface, landscapes, countries, people, and spatial relationships. They can therefore easily be confused. 'Erdkunde' is used especially for the school subject. 'Geographie' sounds more general and more scientific, and also fits at university or in specialist texts. If you are talking about classes at school, 'Erdkunde' is very natural. If you are talking about the subject as a science, 'Geographie' fits better.
Erik hat in Erdkunde gelernt, wie man eine Klimakarte liest.
Erik learned in geography how to read a climate map.
Die Geographie Südamerikas ist sehr vielfältig, von hohen Bergen bis zu großen Regenwäldern.
The geography of South America is very diverse, from high mountains to large rainforests.