excursion / digression
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excursion
An organized trip undertaken for a specific purpose, usually education, research, or exploration. Such trips are often made by groups such as school classes, university courses, or clubs.
Die Biologieklasse macht morgen eine Exkursion in den Nationalpark.
The biology class is going on an excursion to the national park tomorrow.
digression
In a scholarly text or lecture, a detailed digression into a secondary topic. This excursus serves to examine a particular aspect more closely.
In seiner Vorlesung machte der Professor eine lange Exkursion in die Geschichte der Quantenphysik.
In his lecture, the professor made a long digression into the history of quantum physics.
The word contains the Latin prefix 'ex-', which means 'out' or 'outward.' An 'Exkursion' is therefore literally an 'Ausflug' (trip) — either to a real place or away from the main topic of a text.
Die geplante Exkursion führt die Studenten in ein nahegelegenes Naturschutzgebiet.
The planned excursion takes the students to a nearby nature reserve.
To recognize the meaning, pay attention to the context. If it is about a trip to a place, e.g. 'ins Museum' (to the museum), 'in den Wald' (into the forest), it means a trip. If it is about a topic in a lecture or text, e.g. 'in die Geschichte' (into history), it means a digression.
Die Schüler freuen sich auf die Exkursion in den Zoo.
The students are looking forward to the excursion to the zoo.
In the meaning 'Ausflug' (trip), 'Exkursion' is very often combined with the verbs 'machen' (to make/do) or 'unternehmen' (to undertake). If you are taking part yourself, you can also say that you 'an einer Exkursion teilnimmt' (take part in an excursion).
Unser Verein unternimmt jedes Jahr eine Exkursion in eine andere Stadt.
Our club undertakes an excursion to a different city every year.
The meaning 'Abschweifung' (digression) is used almost exclusively in academic, scholarly, or very formal contexts, for example in a university lecture or in a specialist book.
Im Anhang des Buches findet sich eine längere Exkursion zu diesem Spezialthema.
In the appendix of the book, there is a longer digression on this specialized topic.
excursion / digression
An Ausflug and an Exkursion can both be short group trips. Exkursion, however, emphasizes a specific educational, research, or exploratory purpose, while Ausflug usually refers to leisure and pleasure. Choose Exkursion for an organized learning objective and Ausflug for a private outing.
Die Klasse machte am Samstag eine Exkursion zum See und untersuchte dort die Wasserqualität.
On Saturday, the class went on an excursion to the lake and examined the water quality there.
Die Klasse machte am Samstag einen Ausflug zum See und spielte dort gemeinsam.
On Saturday, the class went on an outing to the lake and played there together.
