airfield
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airfield
An area with runways for aircraft, usually smaller and more simply equipped than a large commercial airport. It is often used for private planes, gliders, or recreational aviation.
Am Wochenende treffen sich die Segelflieger auf dem örtlichen Flugplatz.
On the weekend, the glider pilots meet at the local airfield.
'Der Flugplatz' (airfield) is made up of 'Flug-' (from 'der Flug' — the flight) and 'der Platz' (the place/space). So it is literally a place for flights.
Vom Hügel aus kann man den ganzen Flugplatz überblicken.
From the hill, you can see the whole airfield.
An airfield is often described with adjectives such as 'klein' (small), 'privat' (private), or 'örtlich' (local). Common activities include 'Segelfliegen' (gliding) or 'Rundflüge' (sightseeing flights).
Der örtliche Flugplatz wird hauptsächlich von Segelfliegern genutzt.
The local airfield is mainly used by glider pilots.
To indicate a position, you use 'auf dem Flugplatz' (at/on the airfield). To express movement to it, you say 'zum Flugplatz' (to the airfield).
Das Flugzeug steht schon auf dem Flugplatz bereit.
The plane is already waiting at the airfield.
airport
'der Flughafen' and 'der Flugplatz' both refer to an area where planes can take off and land. But they are not used in the same way. A 'Flughafen' is usually larger and has buildings, control, baggage check-in, and scheduled flights. A 'Flugplatz' is often smaller and simpler, for example for private planes, gliders, or recreational aviation. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with airplanes. For normal vacation or business flights, you almost always say 'Flughafen'. For small local facilities, 'Flugplatz' fits better.
Im Urlaub haben wir einen kleinen Flugplatz besucht, auf dem Segelflugzeuge starten.
On vacation, we visited a small airfield where gliders take off.
Wir fuhren mit dem Zug zum Flughafen, weil unser Flug nach Madrid ging.
We took the train to the airport because our flight was going to Madrid.