county
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county
An administrative unit in some countries, especially in Great Britain and Ireland, similar to a German Landkreis (English: county).
Yorkshire ist die größte traditionelle Grafschaft Englands.
Yorkshire is the largest traditional county in England.
The word consists of 'Graf' (a noble title: count) and the ending '-schaft', which here refers to an area or domain of rule. A 'Grafschaft' (county) is therefore literally the 'territory of a count'.
Die alte Burg war einst das Zentrum der Grafschaft.
The old castle was once the center of the county.
The context makes clear which meaning is intended. If the sentence refers to modern administration in Great Britain or Ireland, it means 'county'. In a historical text about Europe, it means the territory ruled by a count.
Die Familie macht Urlaub in der irischen Grafschaft Cork.
The family is vacationing in the Irish county of Cork.
'Grafschaft' (county) is the usual German translation for the administrative unit 'county' in English-speaking countries. The word is useful when talking or reading about geography or travel in these countries.
Die Grafschaft Cornwall ist für ihre schönen Küsten bekannt.
The county of Cornwall is known for its beautiful coasts.
circle / district
'Kreis' and 'Grafschaft' can both mean an area that is administered. 'Kreis' is a modern administrative term in Germany, often also called 'Landkreis' (rural district). 'Grafschaft' is used mainly for administrative units in countries like Great Britain or Ireland, or for historical territories ruled by a count. Learners may confuse the words because a Grafschaft in some countries functions similarly to a German Kreis. For Germany, people normally say 'Kreis' or 'Landkreis'. 'Grafschaft' fits in foreign or historical contexts.
Auf der Reise durch Irland besuchten wir eine kleine Grafschaft am Meer.
On our trip through Ireland, we visited a small county by the sea.
Der Kreis plant eine neue Buslinie zwischen den Dörfern.
The district is planning a new bus route between the villages.