01
das Schiff
ship
A large watercraft used to transport people or goods across seas, rivers, or lakes.
example
Das Schiff verlässt den Hafen bei Sonnenaufgang.
The ship leaves the harbor at sunrise.
das Schiff
ship
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Part of many words
The word 'Schiff' (ship) is the basis for many compound nouns. If you recognize 'Schiff', you can more easily understand words like 'Raumschiff' (spaceship), 'Segelschiff' (sailing ship), 'Schifffahrt' (shipping/navigation), or 'Containerschiff' (container ship).
EXAMPLE
Die Schifffahrt auf dem Rhein hat eine lange Tradition.
Shipping on the Rhine has a long tradition.
Movement and location
Pay attention to the prepositions and the case: Movement toward the vehicle is expressed with 'auf das Schiff' (onto the ship, accusative). Being on the vehicle is described with 'auf dem Schiff' (on the ship, dative).
EXAMPLE
Die Passagiere gehen auf das Schiff.
The passengers are going onto the ship.
Typical verbs
In connection with watercraft, 'Schiff' (ship) is often used with certain verbs: 'ein Schiff bauen' (to build a ship), 'ein Schiff besteigen' (to board a ship), 'mit dem Schiff fahren' (to travel by ship), or 'ein Schiff sinkt' (a ship sinks).
EXAMPLE
Wir wollen nächstes Jahr mit einem Kreuzfahrtschiff reisen.
We want to travel on a cruise ship next year.
Context clue: architecture
You can recognize this special meaning from the context. If the text mentions 'Kirche' (church), 'Dom' (cathedral), 'Kathedrale' (cathedral), 'gotisch' (Gothic), or 'romanisch' (Romanesque), it refers to the long space of the building.
EXAMPLE
Das Licht fällt durch die bunten Fenster in das hohe Schiff der Kathedrale.
The light falls through the colorful windows into the high nave of the cathedral.
Informal meaning
The expression 'ein dickes Schiff' is an informal term for a large, expensive, or luxurious car. It is used only in colloquial speech.
EXAMPLE
Wow, siehst du dieses dicke Schiff da vorne? Das muss teuer sein.
Wow, do you see that big ride up ahead? It must be expensive.
Compare with
Schiff vs Boot
boat
'das Schiff' and 'das Boot' are both vehicles on water. The most important difference is size and typical use. A ship is usually large and transports many people or a lot of goods, often over longer distances at sea, on rivers, or on large lakes. A boat is smaller and is often used for short trips, leisure, sports, or small groups. Learners may confuse the words because both travel on water. As a simple guide: ferries, cruise ships, and freighters are more likely to be 'Schiffe'; rowboats, sailboats, or small motorboats are more likely to be 'Boote'.
Schiff
Am Hafen wartet ein großes Schiff auf die Passagiere.
A large ship is waiting for the passengers at the harbor.
Boot
Im Sommer mieten wir ein kleines Boot für eine Fahrt über den See.
In summer, we rent a small boat for a trip across the lake.
In real life
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