TV tower
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TV tower
A very tall, tower-like structure used to broadcast television and radio signals, often with an observation deck or a restaurant at the top.
Vom Restaurant im Fernsehturm hat man eine fantastische Aussicht über die ganze Stadt.
From the restaurant in the TV tower, you have a fantastic view over the whole city.
This word is made up of 'das Fernsehen' (television) and 'der Turm' (tower). So it is literally a tower for television, from which signals are transmitted.
Der Fernsehturm ist das höchste Gebäude der Stadt.
The TV tower is the tallest building in the city.
Pay attention to the preposition 'auf' and the case. If you are describing movement upward, you use the accusative ('auf den Turm'). If you are already at the top, you use the dative ('auf dem Turm').
Wir fahren heute Abend auf den Fernsehturm.
We are going up the TV tower this evening.
A TV tower is often not only a broadcasting facility but also a city landmark with an observation deck. Typical activities are 'die Aussicht genießen' (to enjoy the view) or 'im Restaurant essen' (to eat in the restaurant).
Viele Touristen besuchen den Fernsehturm, um die Aussicht zu genießen.
Many tourists visit the TV tower to enjoy the view.
observation tower
'Fernsehturm' and 'Aussichtsturm' are both tall structures from which you can often see far into the distance. The important difference is their purpose. A 'Fernsehturm' was built mainly to transmit television and radio signals. It may also have an observation deck or a restaurant. An 'Aussichtsturm', on the other hand, was built mainly so that visitors can see the landscape. Learners may confuse the words because many TV towers are also known as viewpoints. If the broadcasting technology is important, or if the tower in a city is known as a 'Fernsehturm', you say 'Fernsehturm'. If it is only about the view, especially in nature, 'Aussichtsturm' is more precise.
Im Urlaub hat Anton den Fernsehturm besucht, weil man von oben die ganze Stadt sieht.
On vacation, Anton visited the TV tower because you can see the whole city from the top.
Auf dem Hügel steht ein Aussichtsturm mit Blick über den See.
On the hill there is an observation tower with a view over the lake.