01
die Fährte
trail / track
The trail of prints or smells that an animal or person leaves behind and that can be followed.
example
Der Jäger folgte der Fährte des Rehs durch den Wald.
The hunter followed the deer's trail through the forest.
die Fährte
trail / track
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The word 'Fährte' (trail/track) is historically related to the verb 'fahren' (to drive/travel). It describes the path or trail created by movement, a kind of 'Fahren' (traveling/moving). This connection helps you understand the basic idea of a track that can be followed.
EXAMPLE
Der Hund hat die Fährte des vermissten Wanderers aufgenommen.
The dog picked up the trail of the missing hiker.
Typical verbs
In the context of animal or human tracks, 'Fährte' is often combined with certain verbs. Typical phrases are: 'eine Fährte aufnehmen' (to pick up a trail), 'einer Fährte folgen' (to follow a trail), or 'eine Fährte verlieren' (to lose a trail).
EXAMPLE
Der erfahrene Spurenleser konnte die Fährte auch auf steinigem Boden verfolgen.
The experienced tracker was able to follow the trail even on rocky ground.
Context clue
You can recognize the figurative meaning 'Hinweis' (clue/lead) from the context. If the sentence is about investigations, a search, or a puzzle, it almost always refers to this figurative 'Fährte' (lead), not the trail of an animal.
EXAMPLE
Die Detektivin verfolgte eine vielversprechende Fährte, die zu einem alten Lagerhaus führte.
The detective followed a promising lead that led to an old warehouse.
Fixed expression
The expression 'jemanden auf eine Fährte locken/führen' (to lure/lead someone onto a trail) is a fixed structure. It is often combined with the adjective 'falsch' (false/wrong) to describe deliberate misdirection.
EXAMPLE
Durch die gestreuten Gerüchte wollte er seine Konkurrenten auf eine falsche Fährte führen.
By spreading rumors, he wanted to lead his competitors onto a false trail.
Compare with
Fährte vs Hinweis
hint / notice
'der Hinweis' and 'die Fährte' can both help in a search. A 'Hinweis' is a piece of information or a clue that can help in a general way. A 'Fährte' is originally a trail that an animal or person leaves behind, for example through a smell or footprints. Figuratively, 'Fährte' also means a trail or lead in a search or investigation. The words can be confused because both can point in the right direction. 'Hinweis' is neutral and very general. 'Fährte' fits especially when someone is tracking, searching for, or investigating something.
Fährte
Der Hund nahm im Wald die Fährte des Rehs auf.
In the forest, the dog picked up the deer's trail.
Hinweis
Die Polizei bittet um jeden Hinweis zu dem verschwundenen Fahrrad.
The police are asking for any information about the missing bicycle.
In real life
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