kayak
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kayak
A small, narrow boat, usually designed for one or two people, that is moved with a double-bladed paddle. It is closed on top except for one or more seating openings.
Im Urlaub sind wir mit dem Kajak auf dem See gepaddelt.
On vacation, we paddled across the lake in a kayak.
The most common activity is 'Kajak fahren' (to kayak / to go kayaking). In spoken language, this combination is often treated like a separable verb.
Am Wochenende fahren wir auf dem Fluss Kajak.
At the weekend, we're going kayaking on the river.
To describe movement and position in relation to the boat, three prepositions are important: you go 'mit dem Kajak' (by kayak / with the kayak, instrument), you sit 'im Kajak' (in the kayak, position), and you get 'ins Kajak' (into the kayak, direction).
Wir sind mit dem Kajak bis zur kleinen Insel gepaddelt.
We paddled by kayak all the way to the small island.
An essential feature of the kayak is the paddle used to move it. This is called a 'Doppelpaddel' (double-bladed paddle), because it has a paddle blade at both ends.
Mir ist mein Doppelpaddel ins Wasser gefallen.
My double-bladed paddle fell into the water.
canoe
Kanu can be used in everyday language as a general term for narrow paddle boats. Kajak, on the other hand, refers more specifically to a usually enclosed boat with a cockpit and a double-bladed paddle. Use Kajak when this design is important, and Kanu when the exact shape is left open or an open boat is meant.
Für die Tour auf dem windigen See nehmen wir ein Kajak mit Sitzluke und Doppelpaddel.
For the trip on the windy lake, we are taking a kayak with a cockpit and a double-bladed paddle.
Für die ruhige Tour auf dem See mieten wir ein Kanu mit offenem Sitzplatz.
For the leisurely trip across the lake, we are renting a canoe with an open seating area.
