die Insel
island
A piece of land that is completely surrounded by water.
EXAMPLE
Wir verbringen unseren Urlaub auf einer kleinen Insel in der Ägäis.
We are spending our vacation on a small island in the Aegean.
die Insel
island
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Meanings
die Insel
island
An area or thing that is isolated or set apart from its surroundings. Often used figuratively or for specific areas such as a kitchen island or traffic island.
EXAMPLE
Die Sitzgruppe bildet eine gemütliche Insel im großen, offenen Wohnraum.
The seating area forms a cozy island in the large, open living space.
Usage tips
Word family
The concept of isolation is contained in the meaning of an island. The German word 'isoliert' (isolated) comes from the Latin word for island, 'insula'. An island is therefore, by definition, an isolated place.
EXAMPLE
Viele träumen davon, auf einer einsamen Insel zu leben, weit weg von allem.
Many people dream of living on a deserted island, far away from everything.
Correct preposition
Pay attention to the difference between dative and accusative: 'auf einer Insel' (on an island, dative) describes a location, while 'auf eine Insel' (to an island, accusative) indicates a direction.
EXAMPLE
Er lebt seit zehn Jahren auf einer kleinen Insel.
He has been living on a small island for ten years.
Figurative meaning
In the figurative sense, 'Insel' (island) refers to an isolated area. Such compounds are often found in everyday language, such as 'Verkehrsinsel' (traffic island), 'Kücheninsel' (kitchen island), or also 'eine Insel der Ruhe' (an island of calm).
EXAMPLE
In der Mitte des lauten Büros hat sie sich eine kleine Insel der Ruhe geschaffen.
In the middle of the noisy office, she has created a small island of calm for herself.
Compare with
Insel vs Holm
spar / crossbar / islet
In the rare regional sense, Insel and Holm can both refer to a small area of land in a river or lake. Insel is the generally understood word, while Holm is regional and less common in this sense. Normally use Insel, and use Holm only in the corresponding regional usage.
Insel
Mit dem kleinen Boot fuhren wir zu der Insel im See.
We took the small boat to the island in the lake.
Holm
Die Bewohner gingen bei niedrigem Wasser zu dem Holm im Fluss.
At low water, the residents walked to the islet in the river.
In real life
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