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
das Schiff
nave
The long central space in a church building intended for the congregation. A distinction is made between the main nave and side aisles.
EXAMPLE
Das hohe Mittelschiff der gotischen Kathedrale ist sehr beeindruckend.
The high central nave of the Gothic cathedral is very impressive.
das Schiff
ship / spacecraft
A vehicle for traveling in space; a spaceship.
EXAMPLE
In dem Science-Fiction-Film landet ein fremdes Schiff auf der Erde.
In the science fiction film, an alien ship lands on Earth.
ein dickes Schiff
a big ride
An informal, often slightly disparaging or admiring term for a very large, expensive, or flashy car.
EXAMPLE
Mein Nachbar fährt jetzt so ein dickes Schiff von BMW.
My neighbor now drives one of those big BMW rides.
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
Schiff and Boot both refer to watercraft. A Schiff is normally large and is often used to transport many people or large quantities of goods, while a Boot is generally smaller. The boundary is not clear-cut, however, so the usual term for the particular design also plays a role.
Schiff
Das große Schiff bringt mehrere hundert Fahrgäste über den See.
The large ship is taking several hundred passengers across the lake.
Boot
Das kleine Boot bringt vier Fahrgäste über den See.
The small boat is taking four passengers across the lake.
In real life
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