das Floß
raft
A simple floating vessel or platform usually made from tied-together logs or other buoyant materials.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder bauten ein Floß und ließen es auf dem See treiben.
The children built a raft and let it drift on the lake.
das Floß
raft
das Floß, die Flöße
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Floß, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Flöße |
| genitive | des Floßes |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Floß | die Flöße |
| accusative | das Floß | die Flöße |
| dative | dem Floß | den Flößen |
| genitive | des Floßes | der Flöße |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
The verbs 'bauen' (to build), 'ins Wasser lassen' (to put in the water), 'besteigen' (to board), and 'treiben' (to drift) are especially often used with 'Floß' (raft). These combinations describe building the raft, starting the journey, or the raft's movement.
EXAMPLE
Die Jugendlichen bauten ein Floß aus alten Brettern.
The teenagers built a raft out of old boards.
Am Ufer ließen sie das Floß ins Wasser.
They put the raft into the water by the shore.
Prepositions
For location, 'auf dem Floß' (on the raft) is usually used; for a journey or movement, 'mit dem Floß' (by raft) is often appropriate. The preposition 'auf' takes the dative here when movement onto the raft is not meant.
EXAMPLE
Die drei Freunde saßen auf dem Floß und genossen die Sonne.
The three friends sat on the raft and enjoyed the sun.
Wir wollten mit dem Floß bis zur anderen Seite des Sees fahren.
We wanted to travel by raft to the other side of the lake.
Expressions of movement
A 'Floß' (raft) can 'treiben' (drift), 'schwimmen' (float), or 'kentern' (capsize). These verbs show whether it is moving calmly on the water or turning over.
EXAMPLE
Das Floß trieb langsam den Fluss hinunter.
The raft drifted slowly down the river.
Bei dem starken Wellengang kenterte das Floß.
The raft capsized in the heavy waves.
In real life
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