die Flotte
fleet
A group of ships that belong together, usually for military (war fleet) or commercial purposes (merchant fleet).
EXAMPLE
Die feindliche Flotte wurde am Horizont gesichtet.
The enemy fleet was sighted on the horizon.
die Flotte
fleet
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Meanings
die Flotte
fleet
The total number of vehicles, especially aircraft or cars, belonging to a company, organization, or country.
EXAMPLE
Die Fluggesellschaft modernisiert ihre gesamte Flotte.
The airline is modernizing its entire fleet.
Usage tips
Context clue
Whether ships or other vehicles are meant can be recognized from the context. Words like 'Marine' (navy), 'Hafen' (harbor), or 'See' (sea) point to ships. With companies, words like 'Fluggesellschaft' (airline) or 'Mietwagenfirma' (rental car company) point to aircraft or cars.
EXAMPLE
Die Marine schickte ihre modernste Flotte auf die Übung.
The navy sent its most modern fleet to the exercise.
Typical compounds
When referring to ships, 'Flotte' (fleet) is often used in compound words that define the purpose more precisely. The most common are 'die Kriegsflotte' (war fleet) and 'die Handelsflotte' (merchant fleet).
EXAMPLE
Die spanische Kriegsflotte war im 16. Jahrhundert sehr mächtig.
The Spanish war fleet was very powerful in the 16th century.
Typical verbs
When 'Flotte' (fleet) refers to a collection of vehicles belonging to a company, it is often combined with verbs from the world of business. Typical phrases are 'die Flotte modernisieren' (to modernize the fleet), 'erweitern' (to expand), or 'verwalten' (to manage).
EXAMPLE
Das Logistikunternehmen will seine LKW-Flotte komplett modernisieren.
The logistics company wants to completely modernize its truck fleet.
Compare with
Flotte vs Park
park
Park and Flotte can both refer to all the vehicles belonging to an organization. Flotte refers to vehicles, while Park can also include larger pieces of equipment and sounds more administrative. When referring only to a group of related cars, buses, or aircraft, Flotte is usually the better choice.
Flotte
Das Unternehmen erneuert seine Flotte aus dreißig Lieferwagen.
The company is renewing its fleet of thirty delivery vans.
Park
Das Unternehmen erfasst seinen Park aus Lieferwagen und großen Arbeitsmaschinen neu.
The company is updating its fleet of delivery vans and large pieces of equipment.
In real life
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