das Gewässer
body of water
A general term for a collection of water on the Earth's surface, such as a lake, river, pond, or sea.
EXAMPLE
Der Bodensee ist das größte Gewässer in Deutschland.
Lake Constance is the largest body of water in Germany.
das Gewässer
body of water
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Meanings
in fremden Gewässern fischen
to fish in foreign waters
An idiom meaning to interfere in other people's affairs or to become active in an area for which one is not responsible.
EXAMPLE
Mit seinen Vorschlägen für die Marketingabteilung fischt der Kollege aus der Buchhaltung in fremden Gewässern.
With his suggestions for the marketing department, the colleague from accounting is fishing in foreign waters.
Usage tips
Word structure
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).
EXAMPLE
Die Wasserqualität der deutschen Gewässer hat sich verbessert.
The water quality of German bodies of water has improved.
Typical collocations
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.
EXAMPLE
Fließende Gewässer sind ein wichtiger Lebensraum für viele Fischarten.
Flowing bodies of water are an important habitat for many fish species.
Fixed expression
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.
EXAMPLE
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.
Compare with
Gewässer vs Wasser
water
When referring to a lake or river, “das Wasser” can mean either the liquid or the body of water. “Das Gewässer,” by contrast, refers to the geographical body of water as a whole. When talking about pollution, the choice therefore depends on whether you mean the substance or the entire lake or river.
Gewässer
Nach dem Unfall wird das gesamte Gewässer auf Verschmutzung untersucht.
After the accident, the entire body of water is tested for contamination.
Wasser
Nach dem Unfall ist das Wasser im See mit Öl verschmutzt.
After the accident, the water in the lake is contaminated with oil.
In real life
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