to clear
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to clear
To remove trees, bushes, and roots from a piece of land in order to make it usable for other purposes, such as agriculture or construction.
Für das neue Baugebiet musste ein großes Waldstück gerodet werden.
A large section of forest had to be cleared for the new building area.
The related noun is 'die Rodung' (clearing). It describes both the act of clearing and the open area created by it.
Die Rodung des Waldes wurde von Umweltschützern kritisiert.
The clearing of the forest was criticized by environmentalists.
The verb 'roden' (to clear) is typically used with objects such as 'Wald' (forest), 'ein Waldstück' (a section of forest), 'eine Fläche' (an area), or 'Bäume' (trees).
Die Bauern rodeten den Wald, um neues Ackerland zu gewinnen.
The farmers cleared the forest to gain new farmland.
The purpose for which an area is cleared is very often expressed with the preposition 'für' (for) and an accusative object.
Ein Teil des Ufers wurde für den Bau einer neuen Brücke gerodet.
Part of the riverbank was cleared for the construction of a new bridge.
to thin / clear
'lichten' and 'roden' can both mean that trees or plants are removed. The difference lies in the extent. With 'lichten', a forest or dense vegetation is only made thinner so that more light or space is created. So part of it remains standing. With 'roden', trees, bushes, and often roots are removed from an entire piece of land so that it can be used differently. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with forestry work. Memory tip: 'lichten' makes something less dense; 'roden' clears it completely.
Für den neuen Radweg musste ein kleines Stück Wald gerodet werden.
A small section of forest had to be cleared for the new bike path.
Die Arbeiter lichten den alten Wald, damit junge Bäume besser wachsen können.
The workers are thinning out the old forest so that young trees can grow better.