Earth's surface
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Earth's surface
The outermost layer of planet Earth, including both the landmasses and the surface of the oceans, lakes, and rivers.
Rund 71 Prozent der Erdoberfläche sind von Wasser bedeckt.
Around 71 percent of Earth's surface is covered by water.
This word is composed of 'die Erde' (the Earth) and 'die Oberfläche' (the surface). The gender of the word ('die') comes from the final component, 'die Oberfläche'.
Die Oberfläche des Tisches ist glatt.
The surface of the table is smooth.
To describe a position, use 'an der Erdoberfläche' (at/on Earth's surface) for things that are on it, and 'unter der Erdoberfläche' (below Earth's surface) for things that lie beneath it.
Die Temperatur an der Erdoberfläche ist heute sehr hoch.
The temperature at Earth's surface is very high today.
'Erdoberfläche' (Earth's surface) is a factual and geographical term. It is often found in texts about science, geology, or outer space.
Vulkane transportieren Magma aus dem Erdinneren an die Erdoberfläche.
Volcanoes transport magma from Earth's interior to Earth's surface.
floor / ground
'der Boden' and 'die Erdoberfläche' can both refer to a surface that belongs to the earth. But 'Boden' is much more everyday and is thought of on a smaller scale: you stand on the 'Boden', wipe the 'Boden', or plant something in the 'Boden'. 'Erdoberfläche' means the outer surface of the entire planet, including land and bodies of water. The word fits more in geography, natural science, or large-scale contexts. They can be confused because both describe something beneath or around us. In everyday life, people usually say 'Boden'; for global or scientific topics, 'Erdoberfläche' is more common.
Satelliten beobachten Veränderungen auf der Erdoberfläche.
Satellites observe changes on Earth's surface.
Nach dem Regen ist der Boden im Garten sehr weich.
After the rain, the soil in the garden is very soft.