map
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map
In computer games, a map that represents a level, a section of the game, or the entire game world.
Wir müssen erst die ganze Map erkunden, um den geheimen Ausgang zu finden.
We first have to explore the whole map to find the secret exit.
'Die Map' (the map) is a word from English that is used in colloquial German. It is especially common in gaming and in younger people's language.
Lass uns mal auf der Map schauen, wo wir sind.
Let's check the map to see where we are.
Although the word comes from English, it has a fixed grammatical gender in German. It is always 'die Map' (feminine).
Die Map lädt heute sehr langsam.
The map is loading very slowly today.
The most common use of 'Map' is in the context of video games. Here it refers to a game map or a level. Words like 'Spieler' (player), 'Level' (level), 'Gegner' (enemy/opponent), or 'erkunden' (to explore) are typical signals for this meaning.
Auf dieser Map gibt es viele versteckte Items zu finden.
There are many hidden items to find on this map.
Outside of games, 'Map' is often used colloquially for digital maps on a smartphone or computer. Typical verbs are 'in die Map eingeben' (to enter into the map) or 'auf der Map nachschauen' (to look up on the map).
Ich habe die Route schon in die Map eingegeben, wir können losfahren.
I've already entered the route into the map; we can set off.
plan
'der Plan' and 'die Map' can both mean a map or overview. 'der Plan' is the normal German word, for example in 'Stadtplan' (city map), 'Bauplan' (building plan), or 'Fahrplan' (timetable). 'die Map' is an Anglicism and sounds natural mainly for digital maps or in computer games. Learners may confuse the words because English 'map' often means 'Karte' or 'Plan'. In everyday German, 'Plan' or 'Karte' is usually more appropriate; 'Map' fits especially in gaming or with apps.
Auf der Map sieht Anna, wo der nächste Supermarkt ist.
On the map, Anna can see where the nearest supermarket is.
Am Bahnhof schaut Mehmet auf den Plan, weil er den richtigen Bus finden muss.
At the station, Mehmet looks at the map because he needs to find the right bus.