01
das Schilf
reed
A tall, grass-like plant with long, thin stalks that typically grows in or near bodies of water such as lakes and ponds.
example
Am Ufer des Sees wächst dichtes Schilf.
Dense reeds grow on the shore of the lake.
das Schilf
reed
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Meanings
Usage tips
Use as a collective noun
'Schilf' (reed/reeds) is usually used as a collective term for a whole area of these plants, not for a single stalk. People therefore often speak of 'dem Schilf' (the reeds) as an area.
EXAMPLE
Die Vögel bauen ihre Nester tief im Schilf.
The birds build their nests deep in the reeds.
Typical collocations
Common adjectives used with Schilf are 'dicht' (dense) or 'hoch' (tall). A typical sound is the 'Rascheln' (rustling) of the reeds in the wind.
EXAMPLE
Wir hörten nur das leise Rascheln des Schilfs am Ufer.
We heard only the soft rustling of the reeds on the shore.
Typical context
The word 'Schilf' (reed/reeds) is almost always found in contexts related to nature and water. Typical places are lakeshores, ponds, or wetlands.
EXAMPLE
Unser Boot blieb im dichten Schilf am Rande des Sees stecken.
Our boat got stuck in the dense reeds at the edge of the lake.
Compare with
Schilf vs Rohr
pipe / tube
'das Rohr' and 'das Schilf' can both have to do with tall, hollow plant stalks. 'das Schilf' means the plant that often grows by water, for example at lakes or ponds. In this context, 'das Rohr' refers more to the individual hollow stalk of this plant or similar plants. The words can be confused because 'Schilf' consists of such stalks. If you are talking about the plant on the shore, 'Schilf' is natural. If you mean the hollow stalk itself, 'Rohr' fits better.
Schilf
Wegen des Windes bewegt sich das Schilf am Ufer leise hin und her.
Because of the wind, the reeds on the shore move softly back and forth.
Rohr
Das Kind fand am See ein trockenes Rohr und nahm es mit.
The child found a dry reed by the lake and took it along.
In real life
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