das Ried
reed bed
A swampy area or wetland that is densely covered with reeds or similar grasses.
EXAMPLE
Viele seltene Vogelarten brüten im Ried am Ufer des Sees.
Many rare bird species breed in the reed bed on the shore of the lake.
das Ried
reed bed / reeds
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Meanings
das Ried
reeds
A collective term for reeds and other tall grasses that grow in wetlands and can be used as material.
EXAMPLE
Das Dach der alten Fischerhütte war mit Ried gedeckt.
The roof of the old fishing hut was thatched with reeds.
Usage tips
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about geography, nature, and animals, it refers to the wetland. If it is about building or crafts, it refers to the material reeds.
EXAMPLE
Im Ried leben viele seltene Vogelarten.
Many rare bird species live in the reed bed.
Typical prepositions
When 'Ried' (reed bed) refers to the swampy area, it is often used with prepositions of place: you are 'im Ried' (in the reed bed), hike 'durch das Ried' (through the reed bed), or stand 'am Ried' (by the reed bed).
EXAMPLE
Eine Wanderung durch das Ried ist besonders im Frühling schön.
A hike through the reed bed is especially beautiful in spring.
Typical use
When 'Ried' (reeds) refers to the material, the most common combination is thatching a roof: 'ein Dach mit Ried decken' (to thatch a roof with reeds). It is used as an uncountable material.
EXAMPLE
Man braucht viel Erfahrung, um ein Dach fachgerecht mit Ried zu decken.
You need a lot of experience to thatch a roof properly with reeds.
Compare with
Ried vs Sumpf
swamp
Der Sumpf generally refers to an area with permanently wet, muddy ground. Das Ried is more specific: it is a swampy wetland densely covered with reeds or similar grasses. When this dense vegetation is present, Ried is more precise.
Ried
Hinter dem See beginnt ein Ried, das dicht mit hohem Schilf bewachsen ist.
A reed bed densely covered with tall reeds begins behind the lake.
Sumpf
Hinter dem See beginnt ein Sumpf mit weichem, schlammigem Boden.
A swamp with soft, muddy ground begins behind the lake.
In real life
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