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das Mittelmeer
Mediterranean Sea
The inland sea located between Europe, Africa, and Asia.
example
Viele antike Hochkulturen entwickelten sich rund um das Mittelmeer.
Many ancient advanced civilizations developed around the Mediterranean Sea.
das Mittelmeer
Mediterranean Sea
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word composition
The name 'Mittelmeer' (Mediterranean Sea) is made up of 'Mittel-' (from 'Mitte', middle) and 'Meer' (sea). Historically, it was the sea in the middle of the then-known world: Europe, Asia, and Africa.
EXAMPLE
Das Mittelmeer verbindet drei Kontinente.
The Mediterranean Sea connects three continents.
Important prepositions
Different prepositions are used depending on the situation: you travel 'ans Mittelmeer' (to the Mediterranean, direction, accusative), go on vacation 'am Mittelmeer' (on/at the Mediterranean, location, dative), and swim 'im Mittelmeer' (in the Mediterranean, in the water, dative).
EXAMPLE
Diesen Sommer fliegen wir für zwei Wochen ans Mittelmeer.
This summer we're flying to the Mediterranean for two weeks.
Typical collocations
Common word combinations are 'Urlaub am Mittelmeer' (vacation on the Mediterranean), 'die Mittelmeerküste' (the Mediterranean coast), 'die Länder am Mittelmeer' (the countries on the Mediterranean), or 'eine Mittelmeerkreuzfahrt' (a Mediterranean cruise).
EXAMPLE
Die italienische Mittelmeerküste ist für ihre malerischen Dörfer bekannt.
The Italian Mediterranean coast is known for its picturesque villages.
Compare with
Mittelmeer vs Mittelmeerraum
Mediterranean region
'das Mittelmeer' and 'der Mittelmeerraum' are closely connected geographically, but they do not mean the same thing. 'Das Mittelmeer' is the sea itself, meaning the water between Europe, Africa, and Asia. 'Der Mittelmeerraum' means the whole region around this sea, including countries, coasts, cities, climate, and culture. The words can be confused because both have to do with the same area. When talking about swimming, ships, or water, 'Mittelmeer' fits. When talking about countries, travel, food, or climate in the region, 'Mittelmeerraum' is a better fit.
Mittelmeer
Im Sommer fahren viele Schiffe über das Mittelmeer.
In summer, many ships travel across the Mediterranean Sea.
Mittelmeerraum
Im Mittelmeerraum wachsen viele Pflanzen, die viel Sonne brauchen.
In the Mediterranean region, many plants grow that need a lot of sun.
In real life
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