hike / migration
Loading your saved state.
hike
A longer walk, usually in nature such as in the forest or mountains, for pleasure or as a sporting activity.
Am Wochenende machen wir eine Wanderung durch die Eifel.
At the weekend, we're going on a hike through the Eifel.
migration
The movement of a large group of people or animals from one place to another, often for seasonal reasons.
Die jährliche Wanderung der Lachse zu ihren Laichplätzen ist faszinierend.
The annual migration of salmon to their spawning grounds is fascinating.
The noun 'die Wanderung' (hike / migration) is derived directly from the verb 'wandern' (to hike / wander). The ending '-ung' turns the verb into a noun that describes the action or result of hiking or wandering.
Das Wandern ist eine beliebte Freizeitaktivität.
Hiking is a popular leisure activity.
The context makes it clear which meaning is intended. If people are talking about leisure time, mountains, or forests, it means a walking tour. If they are talking about animals, birds, or historical peoples, it means the migration of a large group.
Unsere Wanderung führte uns zu einem wunderschönen Bergsee.
Our hike took us to a beautiful mountain lake.
When it is about a walking tour, the most common verbs are 'eine Wanderung machen' (to go on a hike) or 'auf eine Wanderung gehen' (to go on a hike). You can also book a 'geführte Wanderung' (guided hike).
Lass uns am Samstag eine Wanderung machen.
Let's go on a hike on Saturday.
migration
For animals, Migration is the technical term for the regular, usually seasonal movement of entire populations between habitats. Wanderung can describe the same movement in a more general and concrete way. Migration is especially suitable in a biological context; Wanderung is commonly used for the observed movement.
Auf ihrer jährlichen Wanderung ziehen die Wale durch diese Meerenge.
During their annual migration, the whales pass through this strait.
Forschende untersuchen die jährliche Migration der Wale zwischen ihren Lebensräumen.
Researchers are studying the whales’ annual migration between their habitats.
