to surf
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to surf
To move around on the internet and visit different websites.
Ich surfe abends oft stundenlang im Internet, um mich über Neuigkeiten zu informieren.
In the evenings, I often surf the internet for hours to keep up with the news.
The perfect tense of 'surfen' (to surf) is formed differently: for surfing the internet, you use 'haben'; for the sports (wave surfing, windsurfing), you use 'sein', since it involves movement.
Gestern Abend habe ich lange im Internet gesurft.
Last night, I surfed the internet for a long time.
You can recognize the meaning of 'surfen' (to surf) from context: words like 'Internet' or 'Webseite' point to the digital activity. Words like 'Wellen', 'Meer', 'See', or 'Wind' point to the sports.
Er surft oft auf seinem Handy, während er auf den Bus wartet.
He often surfs on his phone while waiting for the bus.
When it is about the internet, 'surfen' (to surf) is almost always used with the preposition 'in' and the dative: 'im Internet surfen' (to surf the internet).
Viele Leute surfen im Internet, um Produkte zu vergleichen.
Many people surf the internet to compare products.
to sail
'segeln' and 'surfen' can both refer to sport or movement on the water. You do 'segeln' with a sailboat or sailing ship that is moved by the wind. You do 'surfen' on a surfboard: either on waves or, in windsurfing, with a sail on the board. The words can be confused because wind and a sail are also important in windsurfing. Even so, 'segeln' is used more for boats and ships, while 'surfen' is used more for a board. In addition, 'surfen' can also mean visiting websites on the internet.
Am Wochenende surft Tom am Meer, wenn die Wellen hoch genug sind.
At the weekend, Tom surfs at the seaside when the waves are high enough.
Im Sommer segeln wir mit einem kleinen Boot über den See.
In summer, we sail across the lake in a small boat.