01
ostwärts
eastward
Indicates movement or direction toward the east.
example
Wir fuhren mit dem Zug immer weiter ostwärts in Richtung der polnischen Grenze.
We traveled by train farther and farther eastward toward the Polish border.
ostwärts
eastward
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word formation with '-wärts'
The ending '-wärts' always indicates a direction. It can be attached to compass directions ('nordwärts' — northward, 'südwärts' — southward, 'westwärts' — westward) or other place-related words ('heimwärts' — homeward, 'abwärts' — downward).
EXAMPLE
Die Vögel fliegen im Herbst südwärts.
The birds fly southward in autumn.
Position in the sentence
As an adverb of direction, 'ostwärts' (eastward) usually comes after the conjugated verb and any objects. It answers the question 'Wohin?' (Where to?).
EXAMPLE
Die Expedition bewegte sich langsam ostwärts durch den Dschungel.
The expedition moved slowly eastward through the jungle.
Register and style
The word 'ostwärts' (eastward) is often used in written language, in literary texts, or in more formal travel descriptions.
EXAMPLE
Der Roman beschreibt eine lange Reise ostwärts.
The novel describes a long journey eastward.
Typical verbs
'Ostwärts' (eastward) is almost always combined with verbs of movement. Typical examples are 'fahren' (to drive/travel), 'gehen' (to go/walk), 'fliegen' (to fly), 'ziehen' (to move/migrate), or 'reisen' (to travel).
EXAMPLE
Die Familie fuhr mit dem Auto ostwärts in den Urlaub.
The family drove eastward by car for their vacation.
Compare with
ostwärts vs östlich
eastern / east of
'östlich' and 'ostwärts' both have to do with the direction east. 'östlich' usually describes the location of something: a place is in the east or east of another place. 'ostwärts', on the other hand, describes movement toward the east. So with 'östlich', the question is more: Where is something located? With 'ostwärts', the question is: Where is someone or something moving? The words are easy to confuse because both name the same compass direction, but they fit into different types of sentences.
ostwärts
Nach der Pause fährt der Zug weiter ostwärts.
After the break, the train continues eastward.
östlich
Das Dorf liegt östlich von München.
The village is east of Munich.
In real life
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