moat / drainage ditch
der Wassergraben, die Wassergräben
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moat
A ditch filled with water that usually surrounds a castle, palace, or another fortified structure.
Die mittelalterliche Burg ist noch heute von einem breiten Wassergraben umgeben.
The medieval castle is still surrounded by a wide moat today.
drainage ditch
A ditch along fields, meadows, or roads that collects and channels away rainwater.
Bei Glätte kam das Auto von der Straße ab und landete in einem Wassergraben.
The car skidded off the road on the ice and ended up in a drainage ditch.
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Wassergräben |
| genitive | des Wassergrabens |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Wassergraben | die Wassergräben |
| accusative | den Wassergraben | die Wassergräben |
| dative | dem Wassergraben | den Wassergräben |
| genitive | des Wassergrabens | der Wassergräben |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Wassergraben' is made up of 'Wasser' (water) and 'Graben' (ditch). It therefore means a ditch filled with water.
Vor dem Eingang der Burg lag ein tiefer Wassergraben.
There was a deep moat in front of the castle entrance.
Common collocations include 'von einem Wassergraben umgeben sein' (to be surrounded by a moat), 'einen Wassergraben überqueren' (to cross a moat), and 'über einen Wassergraben führen' (to lead over a moat). These expressions usually describe the location of or access to a castle or palace.
Eine steinerne Brücke führt über den Wassergraben zum Burgtor.
A stone bridge leads over the moat to the castle gate.
When describing a structure, 'Wassergraben' often appears with a location phrase or a preposition such as 'um' (around) and 'vor' (in front of): it lies around the structure or in front of its entrance.
Der Wassergraben verläuft um die gesamte Burg herum.
The moat runs all the way around the castle.
