South Pole
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South Pole
The southernmost point on Earth, where the Earth's axis intersects the Earth's surface. It is located in Antarctica.
Roald Amundsen erreichte als erster Mensch den Südpol.
Roald Amundsen was the first person to reach the South Pole.
The word is a simple compound made up of the cardinal direction 'Süd' (south) and 'der Pol' (the pole), the endpoint of an axis. The meaning can therefore be derived directly from its parts.
Die Expedition zum Südpol ist extrem gefährlich.
The expedition to the South Pole is extremely dangerous.
The context makes clear which meaning is intended. If it is about geography, Antarctica, or expeditions, it refers to the geographic point. If it is about physics, compasses, or magnets, it refers to the magnetic pole.
Pinguine leben in der Nähe des Südpols. (geografisch)
Penguins live near the South Pole. (geographic)
When talking about the geographic South Pole, German uses 'am Südpol' (at the South Pole) to describe a location and 'zum Südpol' (to the South Pole) to express movement there.
Die Temperaturen am Südpol sind extrem niedrig.
Temperatures at the South Pole are extremely low.
North Pole
'Nordpol' and 'Südpol' are opposites. Both refer to a pole of the Earth, but at different ends: the North Pole is at the far north, and the South Pole is at the far south. Magnets also have a north pole and a south pole. The words can be confused because they are built very similarly and both have to do with direction and magnetism. Pay attention to 'Nord' for the top on many maps and 'Süd' for the bottom. Geographically, the North Pole lies in the Arctic Ocean, while the South Pole lies in Antarctica.
Am Südpol ist es im Winter viele Monate dunkel.
At the South Pole, it is dark for many months in winter.
Der Nordpol liegt nicht auf einem Kontinent, sondern im arktischen Ozean.
The North Pole is not on a continent, but in the Arctic Ocean.