model building
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model building
The hobby or profession in which scale, reduced-size replicas (models) of real objects such as airplanes, ships, cars, or buildings are made.
In seiner Freizeit widmet er sich dem Modellbau und hat schon mehrere detailgetreue Schiffe konstruiert.
In his free time, he devotes himself to model building and has already constructed several highly detailed ships.
The word is a clear compound made up of 'das Modell' (the model) and 'der Bau' (building/construction, from the verb 'bauen' (to build)). So it literally means 'the building of models'.
Sein größtes Hobby ist der Modellbau von historischen Flugzeugen.
His biggest hobby is building models of historical airplanes.
The word 'Modellbau' (model building) is the basis for other useful terms. A 'Modellbaukasten' (model kit) contains all the parts for a model, and a 'Modellbaugeschäft' (model shop) is a store that sells such kits.
Zum Geburtstag wünscht er sich einen neuen Modellbaukasten.
For his birthday, he wants a new model kit.
As a hobby or activity, 'Modellbau' (model building) is often used with the verbs 'betreiben' (to practice/do) or 'sich beschäftigen mit' (to be involved with).
Er betreibt seit seiner Kindheit Modellbau.
He has been doing model building since childhood.
to craft / tinker
Basteln and Modellbau can both refer to making a small airplane as a hobby. „Basteln“ sounds general and emphasizes creative hands-on activity, while „Modellbau“ names the specific hobby of making scale replicas. Use „basteln“ for the activity in general and „Modellbau“ for the field or hobby.
Am Wochenende betreibe ich Modellbau und fertige ein kleines Flugzeug an.
At the weekend, I do model building and make a small airplane.
Am Wochenende bastle ich aus Holz ein kleines Flugzeug.
At the weekend, I make a small airplane out of wood.
