German word

erkunden

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛɐ̯ˈkʊndən/

Meaning

  • verbexplore

Example

Ich erkunde die Stadt am Wochenende.

I explore the city on the weekend.

Illustration for erkunden (explore)

More examples

Wir erkunden oft unbekannte Küstenabschnitte.

We often explore unknown stretches of coastline.

Core concept

A person moves through an unfamiliar place or subject, checking details to form a fuller picture.

Common phrases

  • ein Gebiet erkunden

    explore an area

  • die Küste erkunden

    explore the coast

  • die Natur erkunden

    explore nature

Similar words

entdecken: To find a new place, thing, or fact, either by chance or through deliberate effort.
herausfinden: To determine an answer or fact through investigation or testing.
besichtigen: To visit a building or site to inspect it in detail.
sich umsehen: To look around and assess the surroundings or available options.

Definition in German

etwas, besonders einen Ort, durch genaues Beobachten und Ausprobieren untersuchen, um neue Informationen oder Eindrücke zu gewinnen.

Word origin

Erkunden developed from Middle High German erkunden and is related to German Kunde, meaning knowledge or information.

Usage tips

  • Erkunden is transitive and takes an accusative object, while sich erkundigen means to ask for information and uses nach with the dative.

Other meanings

  • investigateverb
  • probeverb

Related words

  • Erkundungexplorationnoun
  • Erkunderexplorernoun

Word lists with this word