body of water
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body of water
A general term for a collection of water on the Earth's surface, such as a lake, river, pond, or sea.
Der Bodensee ist das größte Gewässer in Deutschland.
Lake Constance is the largest body of water in Germany.
The word 'Gewässer' (body of water) is a collective term derived from the word 'Wasser' (water) with the prefix 'Ge-'. This prefix is often used to describe a collection or totality of something, as also in 'Berg' (mountain) and 'Gebirge' (mountain range).
Die Wasserqualität der deutschen Gewässer hat sich verbessert.
The water quality of German bodies of water has improved.
Common distinctions are 'fließende Gewässer' (flowing bodies of water) for rivers and streams and 'stehende Gewässer' (standing/still bodies of water) for lakes and ponds. People also speak of 'Binnengewässern' (inland waters) when they are located inland.
Fließende Gewässer sind ein wichtiger Lebensraum für viele Fischarten.
Flowing bodies of water are an important habitat for many fish species.
The idiom 'in fremden Gewässern fischen' (to fish in foreign waters) is a fixed unit. The verb 'fischen' (to fish) is conjugated, while the rest of the expression remains unchanged.
Er sollte sich auf seine eigene Arbeit konzentrieren und nicht in fremden Gewässern fischen.
He should concentrate on his own work and not fish in foreign waters.
water
'das Wasser' and 'das Gewässer' can both refer to a lake, river, or sea. But 'Wasser' is much more general and can also simply be the liquid used for drinking or washing. 'Gewässer' more specifically means a larger collection of water in nature or in a landscape, for example a river, pond, or lake. Learners may confuse the words because you can say about a lake: 'Wir gehen ans Wasser' (We're going to the water). But when talking about nature, maps, the environment, or different lakes and rivers, 'Gewässer' sounds more precise.
In diesem Gewässer darf man nicht baden, weil es geschützt ist.
You are not allowed to swim in this body of water because it is protected.
In der Pause setzt du dich gern ans Wasser und isst dein Brot.
During the break, you like to sit by the water and eat your bread.