caravan
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caravan
A group of people and pack animals, especially camels, traveling together through a desert or another difficult-to-cross area.
Die Karawane zog langsam durch die endlosen Sanddünen der Sahara.
The caravan moved slowly through the endless sand dunes of the Sahara.
convoy / line
A long line of slowly moving vehicles or people.
Jeden Morgen bildet sich eine lange Karawane von Autos auf dem Weg in die Stadt.
Every morning, a long convoy of cars forms on the way into the city.
The verb 'ziehen' (to move / to travel) is used very often with 'Karawane' (caravan) to describe slow, continuous movement. This applies both to traveling through the desert and to a long line of vehicles.
Eine endlose Karawane von Lastwagen zog über die Landstraße.
An endless convoy of trucks moved along the country road.
The original meaning is closely connected with images of deserts, camels, and historical trade routes such as the Silk Road. The word often creates an exotic or adventurous atmosphere.
Die Händler schlossen sich zu einer Karawane zusammen, um sich vor Überfällen zu schützen.
The merchants joined together in a caravan to protect themselves from raids.
When 'Karawane' (caravan) is used in connection with cars, trucks, or traffic, it always has the figurative meaning of a long, slow-moving line. A common, vivid term for a traffic jam is 'Blechkarawane' (literally: metal caravan).
Im morgendlichen Berufsverkehr bildet sich täglich eine Blechkarawane in Richtung Innenstadt.
In the morning rush hour, a metal caravan forms daily toward the city center.
train / move / draft
Zug refers to a group of people moving in an orderly formation, for example in a demonstration or festival. In this context, Karawane describes a long line moving slowly. Zug fits an orderly formation, while Karawane fits a long, slow-moving line.
Die müden Teilnehmer bewegten sich als langsame Karawane zum Rathaus.
The tired participants made their way to city hall in a slow-moving caravan.
Die Teilnehmer gingen in einem geordneten Zug zum Rathaus.
The participants walked to city hall in an orderly procession.
