zelten
to camp
To spend the night in a tent, usually as a leisure activity in nature.
EXAMPLE
Im Sommer fahren wir oft an den See, um dort zu zelten.
In summer, we often go to the lake to camp there.
zelten
to camp
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'zelten' (to camp) is derived directly from the noun 'das Zelt' (the tent). It describes the activity you do with a tent: sleeping in it.
EXAMPLE
Wir brauchen ein größeres Zelt, wenn wir zu viert zelten wollen.
We need a bigger tent if the four of us want to camp.
Sentence structure
You can say 'wir zelten' (we camp) or 'wir gehen zelten' (we go camping). The form 'zelten gehen' emphasizes the beginning or the plan to do the activity, similar to 'schwimmen gehen' (to go swimming) or 'einkaufen gehen' (to go shopping).
EXAMPLE
Am Wochenende gehen wir im Wald zelten.
At the weekend, we're going camping in the forest.
Typical collocations
'Zelten' is often combined with places in nature. Typical expressions are 'am See zelten' (to camp by the lake), 'in den Bergen zelten' (to camp in the mountains), 'auf dem Campingplatz zelten' (to camp at the campsite), or also 'wild zelten' (to camp outside official campsites).
EXAMPLE
Wildes Zelten ist in diesem Naturschutzgebiet streng verboten.
Wild camping is strictly forbidden in this nature reserve.
Compare with
zelten vs Camping
camping
Zelten explicitly means spending the night in a tent. Camping is the broader term and also includes staying overnight in a caravan or motorhome. Both words are suitable when staying in a tent, but only Camping applies to other types of camping accommodation.
zelten
Im Sommer zelten wir eine Woche lang an einem See.
In the summer, we camp by a lake for a week.
Camping
Im Sommer verbringen wir beim Camping eine Woche im Wohnmobil an einem See.
In the summer, we spend a week camping by a lake in a motorhome.
In real life
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