Ferris wheel
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Ferris wheel
A large, vertically rotating wheel with gondolas for passengers, which is an attraction at fairs, in amusement parks, or a landmark of a city.
Vom Riesenrad auf dem Volksfest hat man eine tolle Aussicht über die ganze Stadt.
From the Ferris wheel at the fair, you have a great view over the whole city.
'Riesenrad' (Ferris wheel) is a compound noun made up of 'Riesen-' (from 'der Riese', meaning giant, enormous) and 'das Rad' (wheel). So it literally means 'a giant wheel'.
Das neue Riesenrad ist die Hauptattraktion des Vergnügungsparks.
The new Ferris wheel is the main attraction of the amusement park.
When taking a ride on the Ferris wheel, German uses the verb 'fahren' (to ride/go). You say: 'mit dem Riesenrad fahren' (to ride the Ferris wheel).
Wollen wir heute Abend eine Runde mit dem Riesenrad fahren?
Do we want to take a ride on the Ferris wheel this evening?
Pay attention to the prepositions: you ride 'mit' dem Riesenrad (on the Ferris wheel). You sit 'im' Riesenrad (in/on the Ferris wheel) or 'in' einer Gondel (in a gondola). You have the view 'vom' Riesenrad (from the Ferris wheel).
Wir saßen ganz oben im Riesenrad und genossen die Aussicht.
We sat right at the top of the Ferris wheel and enjoyed the view.
carousel
'das Karussell' and 'das Riesenrad' are both rides at a fair or in an amusement park. They can be confused because both turn and you ride on both of them. But the difference is clear: a carousel usually turns horizontally in a circle and has seats, animals, or small vehicles. A Ferris wheel is a large wheel that turns vertically, and you sit in gondolas high above the ground. If children are riding around in a circle, it is usually a Karussell. If you have a view from above, it is a Riesenrad.
Vom Riesenrad aus sieht Samir die ganze Stadt und den Fluss.
From the Ferris wheel, Samir can see the whole city and the river.
Paula fährt mit ihrer kleinen Schwester auf dem Karussell mit den bunten Pferden.
Paula rides on the carousel with the colorful horses with her little sister.