environment
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environment
The natural world that surrounds us, including air, water, soil, plants, and animals. The term is often used in connection with protecting it from human impact.
Wir müssen mehr für den Schutz unserer Umwelt tun.
We need to do more to protect our environment.
'Umwelt' is made up of the preposition 'um' (around) and the noun 'Welt' (world). So it literally describes the world that surrounds us.
Der Schutz der Umwelt ist eine globale Aufgabe.
Protecting the environment is a global task.
In the context of nature, 'Umwelt' (environment) is very often connected with topics of protection and destruction. Typical verbs are 'schützen' (to protect), 'belasten' (to burden/pollute), 'verschmutzen' (to pollute), or 'zerstören' (to destroy).
Industrieabgase belasten die Umwelt stark.
Industrial emissions heavily burden the environment.
When 'Umwelt' (environment) means the social environment, adjectives such as 'sozial' (social), 'familiär' (family-related), or 'kulturell' (cultural) often appear with it. Verbs like 'aufwachsen' (to grow up) or 'prägen' (to shape/influence) also point to this meaning.
Die soziale Umwelt hat einen großen Einfluss auf die Entwicklung von Kindern.
The social environment has a major influence on children's development.
nature
'die Natur' and 'die Umwelt' can both mean the world with plants, animals, water, air, and landscapes. 'Natur' is often used when you are thinking of forests, mountains, animals, or beautiful places outdoors. 'Umwelt' sounds more like what surrounds humans and what can be protected or damaged by humans. Learners easily confuse the words because both have to do with the natural world. In practical terms: you go into 'die Natur', but you protect 'die Umwelt'.
Wir trennen den Müll, damit wir die Umwelt weniger belasten.
We separate our trash so that we put less strain on the environment.
Nach der Arbeit gehe ich gern in die Natur, weil ich dort Ruhe finde.
After work, I like going out into nature because I find peace there.