die Safari
safari
A trip, usually in Africa, to observe or hunt wild animals in their natural environment.
EXAMPLE
Im Urlaub haben wir eine Safari in Kenia gemacht und Löwen gesehen.
On vacation, we went on a safari in Kenya and saw lions.
die Safari
safari
die Safari, die Safaris
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Meanings
die Safari
exploration tour
In a figurative sense, an exploratory tour through a particular area or on a particular topic.
EXAMPLE
Der neue Chef machte eine Safari durch alle Abteilungen, um die Mitarbeiter kennenzulernen.
The new boss went on a safari through all the departments to get to know the employees.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Safari, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Safaris |
| genitive | der Safari |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Safari | die Safaris |
| accusative | die Safari | die Safaris |
| dative | der Safari | den Safaris |
| genitive | der Safari | der Safaris |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Two usage patterns
There are two typical constructions: you can say 'eine Safari machen' (to go on/do a safari; verb + accusative object) or 'auf Safari gehen/sein' (to go/be on safari; prepositional phrase without an article). Both are very common.
EXAMPLE
Nächstes Jahr wollen wir eine Safari in Tansania machen.
Next year we want to go on a safari in Tanzania.
Während wir auf Safari waren, haben wir Elefanten gesehen.
While we were on safari, we saw elephants.
Typical collocations
The most common combination is 'eine Safari machen' (to go on/do a safari). The place is often mentioned too, for example 'eine Safari durch den Nationalpark' (a safari through the national park) or 'eine Safari in Afrika' (a safari in Africa).
EXAMPLE
Eine Safari durch die Serengeti ist ein unvergessliches Erlebnis.
A safari through the Serengeti is an unforgettable experience.
Figurative meaning
The figurative meaning of an 'Erkundungstour' (exploration tour) is often slightly ironic or colloquial. You can recognize it when the context has nothing to do with wild animals, but rather with, for example, a company, a city, or a topic.
EXAMPLE
Am ersten Tag machte der Praktikant eine Safari durch das Bürogebäude.
On the first day, the intern went on a safari through the office building.
Compare with
Safari vs Expedition
expedition
An „Expedition“ is undertaken for research or discovery and often leads into a difficult-to-access area. A „Safari“, by contrast, is focused on observing or hunting wild animals, usually in Africa. „Expedition“ is therefore suitable for a scientific undertaking, while „Safari“ is used for a trip to see animals.
Safari
Die Reisegruppe macht eine Safari durch die Savanne, um Elefanten zu beobachten.
The tour group is going on a safari through the savanna to observe elephants.
Expedition
Das Forschungsteam unternimmt eine Expedition in ein abgelegenes Gebiet der Savanne.
The research team is undertaking an expedition to a remote area of the savanna.
In real life
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