01
die Wildbahn
wild
The natural habitat of wild animals; nature in the open.
example
Der im Zoo geborene Tiger wurde wieder in die Wildbahn entlassen.
The tiger born in the zoo was released back into the wild.
die Wildbahn
wild
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Compound word
The word is made up of 'wild' (wild) and 'Bahn' (track/path). Here, 'Bahn' means something like 'life path' or 'sphere'. So 'Wildbahn' (the wild) is literally the living sphere of wild animals.
EXAMPLE
Löwen gehören in die Wildbahn und nicht in einen Zirkus.
Lions belong in the wild and not in a circus.
Typical prepositions
In connection with the natural habitat, the preposition 'in' is almost always used. A distinction is made between direction ('in die Wildbahn' — into the wild) and location ('in der Wildbahn' — in the wild).
EXAMPLE
Der verletzte Vogel wurde gesund gepflegt und wieder in die Wildbahn entlassen.
The injured bird was nursed back to health and released back into the wild.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'jemanden auf die Wildbahn loslassen' (to let someone loose into the wild) has a fixed structure. It means giving a person, usually a young one, the freedom to have their own experiences, often after a period of control or training.
EXAMPLE
Nach der bestandenen Führerscheinprüfung ließen die Eltern ihre Tochter auf die Wildbahn der Straßen los.
After she passed her driving test, her parents let their daughter loose onto the wilds of the road.
Context clue
You can easily distinguish the two meanings: if it is about animals and nature, the literal meaning is intended. The fixed expression 'auf die Wildbahn loslassen' (to let loose into the wild), on the other hand, always refers to people.
EXAMPLE
Einige Bären wurden in den Alpen wieder in die Wildbahn ausgesetzt.
Some bears were released back into the wild in the Alps.
Compare with
Wildbahn vs Lebensraum
habitat / living space
'der Lebensraum' and 'die Wildbahn' can both refer to the natural environment of animals. 'Lebensraum' is more precise and neutral: it is about the area where an animal or plant species can live and find everything it needs. 'Wildbahn' refers more to the wild or open nature, especially for wild animals as opposed to a zoo, cage, or being kept by humans. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with nature and animals. As a practical guide: for the ecological environment of a species, 'Lebensraum' fits better; for animals that live freely outdoors, 'in der Wildbahn' (in the wild) sounds more natural.
Wildbahn
In der Wildbahn jagen Wölfe meist im Rudel.
In the wild, wolves usually hunt in packs.
Lebensraum
Durch den Bau der Straße verlieren viele Frösche ihren Lebensraum.
Because of the road construction, many frogs are losing their habitat.
In real life
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