sailor
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sailor
A person, usually a man, who works professionally at sea on a ship; a seaman.
Der alte Seemann erzählte Geschichten von seinen Reisen über die Weltmeere.
The old sailor told stories of his voyages across the world's oceans.
The word is clearly composed of 'die See' (the sea) and 'der Mann' (the man). So it literally describes a man who works at sea.
In Hamburg gibt es ein Denkmal für unbekannte Seemänner.
In Hamburg there is a monument to unknown sailors.
The common plural is 'Seeleute' (seafarers/sailors), not 'Seemänner'. The ending '-leute' is often used for occupational titles ending in '-mann' and includes all genders.
Das Schiff hatte eine Besatzung von zwanzig Seeleuten.
The ship had a crew of twenty sailors.
The idiom 'Seemannsgarn spinnen' means to tell exaggerated or made-up adventure stories, as sailors are stereotypically said to do.
Opa, hör auf, Seemannsgarn zu spinnen, das glaubt dir doch keiner!
Grandpa, stop telling tall tales—no one believes that!
sailor
Both words refer to a man who works at sea on a ship. Seemann is the general term, whereas Matrose more specifically means a crew member of the lowest rank. Use Seemann for a general description and Matrose when the person’s rank on board is important.
Der Seemann arbeitet seit vielen Jahren auf großen Frachtschiffen.
The sailor has been working on large cargo ships for many years.
Der Matrose repariert als Mitglied der Mannschaft das beschädigte Deck.
As a member of the crew, the sailor is repairing the damaged deck.
