shipyard
die Werft, die Werften
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shipyard
A large industrial facility by the water where ships are built, repaired, and maintained.
Das neue Kreuzfahrtschiff wird derzeit auf einer Werft in Norddeutschland gebaut.
The new cruise ship is currently being built at a shipyard in northern Germany.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Werften |
| genitive | der Werft |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Werft | die Werften |
| accusative | die Werft | die Werften |
| dative | der Werft | den Werften |
| genitive | der Werft | der Werften |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Die Werft' (shipyard) is not the same as the English word 'wharf'. A 'Werft' is a place where ships are built or repaired (shipyard). A 'wharf' is a docking place for loading and unloading (ein Kai, a quay).
Das riesige Containerschiff wurde in einer deutschen Werft gebaut.
The huge container ship was built in a German shipyard.
Pay attention to the prepositions: You work 'auf einer Werft' (at a shipyard). A ship is 'in der Werft' (in the shipyard) for repairs (dative, location). A broken ship is brought 'in die Werft' (to/into the shipyard) (accusative, direction).
Mein Onkel hat 40 Jahre lang auf der Werft gearbeitet.
My uncle worked at the shipyard for 40 years.
Common verbs in connection with 'Werft' (shipyard) are 'ein Schiff bauen' (to build a ship), 'ein Schiff reparieren' (to repair a ship), or 'ein Schiff überholen' (to overhaul a ship). A company can also 'eine Werft betreiben' (operate a shipyard).
Diese Werft ist darauf spezialisiert, historische Segelschiffe zu reparieren.
This shipyard specializes in repairing historical sailing ships.
dock
Both words can refer to the place where a ship is built or repaired. „Werft“ generally refers to the entire company or site, while „Dock“ refers to the specific workplace or berth. Use „Werft“ when referring to the company or facility; use „Dock“ when referring to the individual place.
Die Werft repariert das Schiff und wartet anschließend seine Maschinen.
The shipyard repairs the ship and then services its machinery.
Das Schiff liegt im Dock, damit die Arbeiter den Rumpf reparieren können.
The ship is in the dock so that the workers can repair the hull.
