catfish / pilgrim
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catfish
A large predatory fish that lives in European freshwater, also known in German as 'Wels' (catfish).
Der Angler war stolz auf den riesigen Waller, den er aus dem Fluss gezogen hatte.
The angler was proud of the huge catfish he had pulled out of the river.
pilgrim
An outdated term for a pilgrim, that is, a person who travels to a holy place for religious reasons.
Im Mittelalter zogen die Waller in großen Gruppen zu den heiligen Stätten.
In the Middle Ages, the pilgrims traveled in large groups to the holy sites.
The two meanings of 'Waller' (catfish/pilgrim) are clearly separated by context. If it is about fishing, fish, or bodies of water, the predatory fish is meant. In historical or religious texts about pilgrimages, a person is meant.
Am Seeufer erzählten sich die Angler Geschichten über riesige Waller.
On the lakeshore, the anglers told each other stories about huge catfish.
In connection with the fish, 'Waller' (catfish) is often used with verbs related to fishing. Typical combinations are 'einen Waller fangen' (to catch a catfish), 'einen Waller angeln' (to fish for a catfish), or 'einen Waller aus dem Wasser ziehen' (to pull a catfish out of the water).
Es braucht viel Geduld, um einen so großen Waller zu fangen.
It takes a lot of patience to catch such a large catfish.
This meaning for 'Pilger' (pilgrim) is outdated. Today it is used only in historical, literary, or religious contexts to create an old-fashioned atmosphere.
In dem historischen Roman schloss sich der junge Mann einer Gruppe von Wallern an.
In the historical novel, the young man joined a group of pilgrims.
The word 'Waller' (pilgrim) in this meaning belongs to the word family of 'wallfahren' (to make a pilgrimage). A 'Waller' is therefore a person who undertakes a 'Wallfahrt' (pilgrimage).
Jedes Jahr machen sich Tausende auf die Wallfahrt nach Santiago de Compostela.
Every year, thousands set out on the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
catfish / Welsh
Wels and Waller refer to the same large freshwater fish. The main difference is regional usage: Waller is especially common in southern Germany and Austria, while Wels is the more general term. The choice therefore does not change which species is being referred to.
Der österreichische Angler bezeichnet denselben großen Fisch aus dem See als Waller.
The Austrian angler refers to the same large fish from the lake as a catfish.
Im Bericht wird der große Fisch aus dem See als Wels bezeichnet.
The report refers to the large fish from the lake as a catfish.
