traveler / scion
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traveler
An outdated or poetic term for a person who undertakes a journey; a traveler.
Müde und staubig erreichte der Reiser am Abend endlich das Gasthaus.
Tired and dusty, the traveler finally reached the inn in the evening.
The two meanings are clearly separated by context. If people, history, or literature are being discussed, it means the traveler. If plants, trees, or gardening are being discussed, it means the twig or scion.
Der Dichter beschrieb den einsamen Reiser in den Bergen.
The poet described the lonely traveler in the mountains.
In this meaning, 'der Reiser' (traveler) is derived directly from the verb 'reisen' (to travel). It is the old form for a person who travels.
Im Mittelalter war ein Reiser oft monatelang unterwegs.
In the Middle Ages, a traveler was often on the road for months.
This word for a traveler is outdated and is used today only in historical or poetic texts. In modern German, people say 'der Reisende' or 'die Reisende' (the traveler).
In dem alten Roman kehrte der Reiser nach vielen Jahren zurück.
In the old novel, the traveler returned after many years.
In this meaning, 'der Reiser' (scion) is a technical term from horticulture and botany. Outside this field, the word is hardly understood.
Für eine erfolgreiche Pfropfung muss der Reiser gesund sein.
For successful grafting, the scion must be healthy.
tourist
'Tourist' and 'Reiser' can both mean a person who is on the road or taking a journey. 'Tourist' is the normal word for someone who travels to another place for relaxation or out of interest. 'Reiser', by contrast, is outdated or poetic and is hardly used for people in everyday German today. Learners may confuse the words because 'Reiser' sounds like a person who travels. In normal conversations, when traveling, or in the city, you almost always say 'Tourist'. 'Reiser' only really fits in old texts or in a poetic style.
In dem alten Gedicht zieht ein einsamer Reiser durch die Berge.
In the old poem, a lonely traveler wanders through the mountains.
Am Bahnhof fragt ein Tourist nach dem Weg zum Museum.
At the station, a tourist asks for directions to the museum.