die Seefahrt
seafaring
Travel by ships on the sea as a whole field, including navigation, trade, and transport.
EXAMPLE
Die Erfindung des Kompasses revolutionierte die Seefahrt.
The invention of the compass revolutionized seafaring.
die Seefahrt
seafaring / sea voyage
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Meanings
die Seefahrt
sea voyage
A single, concrete journey or trip across the sea.
EXAMPLE
Nach einer langen und stürmischen Seefahrt erreichten sie endlich Land.
After a long and stormy sea voyage, they finally reached land.
Usage tips
Word composition
The word is made up of 'See' (sea) and 'Fahrt' (journey/trip). So it literally describes a journey on the sea.
EXAMPLE
Die moderne Seefahrt ist ohne Satellitennavigation kaum denkbar.
Modern seafaring is hardly imaginable without satellite navigation.
Fixed expression
An important fixed expression is 'zur See fahren' (to go to sea). It means to work as a sailor or to begin a career in shipping/seafaring.
EXAMPLE
Schon als junger Mann wollte er zur See fahren.
Even as a young man, he wanted to go to sea.
Context clue
When a single journey is meant, 'Seefahrt' (sea voyage) is often used with an indefinite article ('eine') and an adjective. The general meaning, by contrast, often appears without an article or with the definite article in general statements.
EXAMPLE
Es war eine lange und gefährliche Seefahrt.
It was a long and dangerous sea voyage.
Typical collocations
When a concrete journey is meant, the verb 'unternehmen' (to undertake) or 'machen' (to make/do) is often used. Typical adjectives are 'lang' (long), 'kurz' (short), 'stürmisch' (stormy), or 'ruhig' (calm).
EXAMPLE
Nächstes Jahr wollen wir eine Seefahrt durch die Karibik unternehmen.
Next year we want to take a sea voyage through the Caribbean.
Compare with
Seefahrt vs Schifffahrt
shipping / boat trip
Schifffahrt and Seefahrt both refer to transportation or travel by ship. Schifffahrt is the more general term and also includes inland waterways and the economic sector, while Seefahrt specifically relates to the sea. Use Schifffahrt for general shipping and Seefahrt for maritime contexts.
Seefahrt
Die Seefahrt über das Meer dauerte wegen des starken Windes mehrere Tage.
The sea voyage took several days because of the strong wind.
Schifffahrt
Die Schifffahrt auf dem Fluss transportiert täglich viele Personen und Güter.
Shipping on the river transports many people and goods every day.
In real life
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