die Ostsee
Baltic Sea
The inland sea in Northern Europe that is also referred to as the Baltic Sea.
EXAMPLE
Im Sommer fahren wir oft für ein Wochenende an die Ostsee.
In the summer, we often go to the Baltic Sea for a weekend.
die Ostsee
Baltic Sea
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word composition
The name 'Ostsee' (Baltic Sea) is composed of 'Ost' (east) and 'See' (sea/lake). From a German perspective, it describes the geographical location of the sea east of the Danish peninsula of Jutland.
EXAMPLE
Viele deutsche Urlauber zieht es im Sommer an die Küste der Ostsee.
Many German vacationers are drawn to the coast of the Baltic Sea in the summer.
Correct prepositions
The preposition 'an' is used to describe movement toward or a location at a body of water or coast. For direction, use the accusative ('an die Ostsee fahren' — to go to the Baltic Sea); for location, use the dative ('an der Ostsee sein' — to be at the Baltic Sea).
EXAMPLE
Nächstes Jahr fahren wir an die Ostsee.
Next year we are going to the Baltic Sea.
Common name
'Ostsee' (Baltic Sea) is the usual name in German usage. The term 'Baltisches Meer' (Baltic Sea) is also correct, but is more often used in formal, scientific, or international contexts.
EXAMPLE
Die internationale Schifffahrt nennt das Gewässer meist „Baltisches Meer“.
International shipping usually refers to the body of water as the Baltic Sea.
In real life
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