01
der Plan
plan
An intention or a detailed idea of how you want to do or achieve something in the future.
example
Hast du schon einen Plan für das Wochenende?
Do you already have a plan for the weekend?
der Plan
plan
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning of 'Plan' (plan/map) from the context. If people are talking about intentions, time, or goals, it means an idea or plan. If it involves a building, a city, or transportation, it means a drawing or map.
EXAMPLE
Mein Plan ist es, nächstes Jahr Spanisch zu lernen.
My plan is to learn Spanish next year.
Typical collocations
When 'Plan' (plan) describes an intention, it is often combined with the verbs 'haben' (to have), 'machen' (to make), or 'verfolgen' (to pursue). A poetic expression is 'Pläne schmieden' (to make/forge plans).
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen für das Projekt einen genauen Plan machen.
We need to make a precise plan for the project.
Typical compounds
In the meaning of 'Zeichnung' (drawing) or 'Übersicht' (overview), 'Plan' (map/plan) is often the second part of compound nouns. Well-known examples are 'der Stadtplan' (city map), 'der Fahrplan' (timetable), and 'der Bauplan' (building plan).
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir auf dem Stadtplan zeigen, wo wir sind?
Can you show me on the city map where we are?
Fixed expression
The idiom 'nach Plan laufen' (to go according to plan) is a fixed structure. It means that something works as expected or without problems. The preposition 'nach' (according to) is crucial here.
EXAMPLE
Die Vorbereitungen für die Feier laufen genau nach Plan.
The preparations for the celebration are going exactly according to plan.
Compare with
Plan vs Idee
idea
'die Idee' and 'der Plan' can both have to do with something you want to do. 'Idee' is often the first thought or the basic concept. 'Plan' is more concrete: you already have a better idea of how, when, or with which steps you want to do something. Learners may confuse the words because a good idea can later become a plan. As a guide: first you have an idea, then you turn it into a plan.
Plan
Für den Umzug am Wochenende gibt es schon einen genauen Plan.
There is already a detailed plan for the move this weekend.
Idee
Wir haben die Idee, im Kurs ein kleines Regal zu bauen.
We have the idea of building a small shelf in the course.
In real life
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