der Horizont
horizon
The visible line where the sky and the earth or sea seem to meet.
EXAMPLE
Die Sonne versinkt langsam am Horizont.
The sun is slowly sinking on the horizon.
der Horizont
horizon
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Meanings
der Horizont
horizon
The range of a person's knowledge, experiences, or interests; their mental scope.
EXAMPLE
Ein Auslandsjahr erweitert den persönlichen Horizont ungemein.
A year abroad broadens your personal horizon tremendously.
der Horizont
horizon
In geology or archaeology, a specific layer in soil or rock that differs from other layers.
EXAMPLE
Die Forscher fanden die Artefakte in einem tieferen Horizont der Ausgrabungsstätte.
The researchers found the artifacts in a deeper horizon of the excavation site.
Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'horizontal' is derived directly from 'Horizont' (horizon). It describes something that runs parallel to the horizon, meaning it is level or horizontal.
EXAMPLE
Bitte ziehe eine horizontale Linie von links nach rechts.
Please draw a horizontal line from left to right.
Typical preposition
To describe a position at the horizon line, the preposition 'am' is almost always used. This is a fixed combination when talking about the sun, the moon, or ships.
EXAMPLE
Wir sahen ein kleines Segelboot am Horizont.
We saw a small sailboat on the horizon.
Fixed expression
The most common figurative use is the fixed expression 'seinen Horizont erweitern' (to broaden one's horizon). It means to increase one's knowledge and experiences, for example through travel, reading, or learning new skills.
EXAMPLE
Ich möchte eine neue Sprache lernen, um meinen Horizont zu erweitern.
I want to learn a new language to broaden my horizon.
Typical collocations
Besides 'erweitern' (to broaden/expand), 'Horizont' (horizon) is often used figuratively with 'einen weiten/engen Horizont haben' (to have a broad/narrow horizon). This describes a person's mental openness or limitations.
EXAMPLE
Er ist ein sehr gebildeter Mensch und hat einen weiten Horizont.
He is a very educated person and has a broad horizon.
Specialized context
In geology or archaeology, 'Horizont' (horizon) is a technical term for a particular rock or soil layer. You will find this meaning almost exclusively in scientific texts.
EXAMPLE
In diesem Horizont wurden besonders viele Fossilien gefunden.
A particularly large number of fossils were found in this horizon.
Compare with
Horizont vs Schicht
layer / shift
Schicht generally refers to a material layer in soil or rock. In geology or archaeology, Horizont is a technical term for a specific layer that differs from others. Use Schicht for simply describing a layer, and Horizont for a technically defined unit.
Horizont
Fachleute bestimmen diese dunkle Lage anhand ihrer Merkmale als eigenen Horizont.
Experts identify this dark layer as a distinct horizon based on its characteristics.
Schicht
Im Bodenprofil ist eine dunkle Schicht aus humusreicher Erde zu sehen.
A dark layer of humus-rich soil can be seen in the soil profile.
In real life
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