scout
der Pfadfinder, die Pfadfinder
Loading your saved state.
scout
A member of an international youth movement that focuses on outdoor activities, community, and the development of practical skills.
Als Pfadfinder hat er gelernt, wie man ohne Kompass im Wald navigiert.
As a scout, he learned how to navigate in the forest without a compass.
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Pfadfinder |
| genitive | des Pfadfinders |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Pfadfinder | die Pfadfinder |
| accusative | den Pfadfinder | die Pfadfinder |
| dative | dem Pfadfinder | den Pfadfindern |
| genitive | des Pfadfinders | der Pfadfinder |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The word is made up of 'Pfad' (path) and 'Finder' (someone who finds something). A 'Pfadfinder' (scout) is therefore literally a person who finds paths, which fits well with outdoor activities.
Die Gruppe der Pfadfinder suchte einen Weg durch den dichten Wald.
The group of scouts looked for a way through the dense forest.
The word belongs to a family of terms related to the youth movement. The activity itself is often called 'Pfadfinderei' (scouting), and a group is called 'die Pfadfinder' (the scouts, plural).
Er war viele Jahre bei den Pfadfindern aktiv.
He was active in the scouts for many years.
Scouts are often associated with certain outdoor activities, such as 'ein Zelt aufbauen' (to set up a tent), 'am Lagerfeuer sitzen' (to sit by the campfire), 'Knoten lernen' (to learn knots), or 'sich in der Natur orientieren' (to find one's bearings in nature).
Im Sommer fahren die Pfadfinder immer ins Zeltlager.
In summer, the scouts always go to camp.
scout
Pfadfinder and Scout can both refer to a member of the Scout movement. In German, Pfadfinder is the usual neutral and unambiguous term for this. Scout is also possible, but without the right context it can more easily be understood as a term for another role.
Im deutschen Vereinsbrief steht, dass Amir seit drei Jahren Pfadfinder ist.
The German club newsletter says that Amir has been a Scout for three years.
Beim internationalen Pfadfindertreffen stellt Amir sich als Scout vor.
At the international Scout gathering, Amir introduces himself as a Scout.
