orbit
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orbit
The usually elliptical path on which a celestial body, such as a planet, moon, or satellite, moves around another, larger celestial body due to gravity.
Die Internationale Raumstation ISS benötigt etwa 90 Minuten für eine Erdumrundung in ihrer Umlaufbahn.
The International Space Station ISS takes about 90 minutes to circle the Earth in its orbit.
The word is logically built: it consists of 'Umlauf' (going around something) and 'Bahn' (a path or track). An 'Umlaufbahn' (orbit) is therefore literally a 'path for going around.'
Der Mond befindet sich auf einer stabilen Umlaufbahn um die Erde.
The moon is in a stable orbit around the Earth.
Pay attention to the preposition 'in' and the case. Movement into an orbit requires the accusative, while a state in orbit requires the dative.
Die Rakete brachte den Satelliten in die richtige Umlaufbahn.
The rocket put the satellite into the correct orbit.
You can recognize the figurative meaning by the fact that it is not about celestial bodies, but about people, their careers, or social influence. It often describes a fixed, repetitive path in life or a social environment.
Er war in den täglichen Umlaufbahnen seines Bürojobs gefangen.
He was trapped in the daily orbits of his office job.
train / track
'die Bahn' and 'die Umlaufbahn' can both describe the path of a body in space. 'die Bahn' is the more general word for a fixed path of movement. 'die Umlaufbahn' is more precise: it means the orbit in which a planet, moon, or satellite moves around another celestial body. Learners may confuse the words because in both cases a path of movement is meant. If it is just about any kind of course or path, 'Bahn' fits. If something goes around something else, especially in space, 'Umlaufbahn' is more precise.
Der Satellit bleibt mehrere Jahre in seiner Umlaufbahn um die Erde.
The satellite remains in its orbit around Earth for several years.
Die Forscher berechnen die Bahn des Kometen.
The researchers calculate the comet's path.