new territory
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new territory
A subject area or field in which one has no experience yet and which is therefore unfamiliar. This figurative meaning is the most common use.
Für meine Großeltern ist das Internet immer noch absolutes Neuland.
For my grandparents, the internet is still completely new territory.
new land
A piece of land that has newly been developed and made usable for agriculture or settlement.
Die Siedler machten aus der Wildnis fruchtbares Neuland.
The settlers turned the wilderness into fertile new land.
The word is made up of 'neu' (new) and 'Land' (land). So it literally describes a piece of land that is new. This basic idea is then also transferred to unfamiliar areas of knowledge or experience.
Die Erforschung des Tiefseegrabens ist für die Wissenschaftler echtes Neuland.
Exploring the deep-sea trench is real new territory for the scientists.
In the figurative meaning, 'Neuland' (new territory) is often used with the verb 'betreten' (to enter). Also very common is the phrasing that something 'ist (absolutes) Neuland für jemanden' (is completely new territory for someone).
Mit diesem Projekt betreten wir technologisches Neuland.
With this project, we are entering new technological territory.
The literal meaning of 'Neuland' (newly developed farmland or settlement area) is found almost only in historical or agricultural texts. In everyday life and modern contexts, the figurative meaning (an unfamiliar subject) is almost always intended.
Künstliche Intelligenz ist für viele Firmen noch Neuland.
Artificial intelligence is still new territory for many companies.
