to explore / investigate
Loading your saved state.
to explore
To systematically investigate an unknown area or place in order to get to know it and find out more about it.
Im Urlaub wollen wir die verborgenen Buchten der Insel erkunden.
On vacation, we want to explore the island's hidden coves.
The prefix 'er-' is inseparable. This means it remains firmly attached to the verb in all sentence forms and is not placed at the end of the sentence.
Die Astronauten erkundeten die Oberfläche des Mondes.
The astronauts explored the surface of the moon.
The verb is made up of the prefix 'er-' and the stem 'kunden', which is related to 'kundig' (knowledgeable). The prefix 'er-' often expresses the achievement of a result. 'Erkunden' therefore means to gain knowledge about something by searching or investigating.
Wir haben den ganzen Tag die Altstadt erkundet.
We explored the old town all day.
'Erkunden' is a transitive verb and always needs an accusative object. You always explore or investigate 'etwas' (something).
Die Kinder erkundeten neugierig den alten Dachboden.
The children curiously explored the old attic.
In its literal meaning, 'erkunden' is often connected with geographical places or areas. Typical objects are: a city, an area, the surroundings, or a landscape.
Am ersten Tag haben wir die Umgebung unseres Hotels erkundet.
On the first day, we explored the area around our hotel.
In this abstract meaning, you can often recognize the use from the object. It usually refers to intangible things such as possibilities, causes, or the situation.
Das Team soll neue Möglichkeiten für den Vertrieb erkunden.
The team is supposed to investigate new possibilities for sales.
to discover
'entdecken' and 'erkunden' can both have to do with unknown places or information. 'entdecken' mainly describes finding or noticing something. It can happen suddenly or by chance. 'erkunden' means that you deliberately investigate a place, an area, or even a possibility in order to get to know it better. In doing so, you are active and looking for information. The words can be confused because when you explore something, you often discover something. 'entdecken' is the find; 'erkunden' is the path or search that leads there.
Am ersten Urlaubstag erkunden wir die Umgebung zu Fuß.
On the first day of vacation, we explore the area on foot.
In der Altstadt entdecke ich ein kleines Geschäft mit alten Büchern.
In the old town, I discover a small shop with old books.